While there are no formal Memorial Day services being planned this weekend, members of Fulton's VFW Post 2657 will have a presence.
On Saturday, post members and others will have their annual Red Poppies campaign at locations around Fulton. Wayne Bill, who takes over duties of post commander in June, said teams will be at Mosers grocery, Walmart, Westlake ACE Hardware and Casey's General Store (south location) from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday.
"The poppy money goes to programs for veterans," Bill said. "We're going to have all the cans (of poppies) there for all the guys."
There will be eight, two-person shifts at each location, including members of the auxiliary 83rd Helpers.
The post, at 505 Collier Lane in Fulton, also will host its annual barbecue 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. On the menu are ribs, pork steaks, chicken, pulled pork, baked beans and slaw.
The tradition of the remembrance poppy was inspired by a World War I poem, "In Flanders Fields." Its opening lines refer to the many poppies, which were the first flowers to grow in the churned-up earth of soldiers' graves in Flanders.
Since 1921, the artificial poppy has been worn to commemoriate military personnel who died in battle.
Memorial Day weekend activities
83rd Helpers annual spring barbecue, Fulton VFW. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Ribs, pork steak, chicken, pulled pork and more. Open to the public.
2017 Black and Gold Swine Show, 8 a.m. Auxvasse park.
North Callaway Schools, catered barbecue alumni gathering behind the high school. 5-9 p.m. Tours of facility, 5-7 p.m. Live music, 7-9 p.m. Short program, 8 p.m. On-site plates $12.
29th Salute to Veterans Memorial Day Airshow, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Columbia Regional Airport, 11300 S. Airport Drive, Columbia. Demos: U.S. Navy Super Hornet, Canadian Air Force Hornet, U.S. Army Parachute Team "Black Daggers," Canadian Armed Forces Parachute Team "SkyHawks," aerobatic and more. More information at www.salute.org
Callaway Plein Air, Art House. Explore and paint Callaway County or just view the paintings at the Art House beginning at the Wet Paint Reception, 5-7 p.m. Sunday. More information at arthousefultonmo.org/callaway-plein-air.