Travel revs up during Memorial Day Weekend

May 24, 2019 Last Updated: May 24, 2019 08:45 AM Local News

Memorial Day weekend is a time to honor servicemen and women who made the ultimate sacrifice. It's also a popular weekend for family getaways, said Jack Cohen, Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau president.

However, roads can become extremely crowded as large numbers of people embark to various destinations, he said. Friday will be the biggest day of travel.

“From this point on until the end of October, there will be something going on every single weekend in Butler County,” Cohen said about the kickoff to tourism's summer season.

Nearly 43 million Americans will start summer on a high note with a Memorial Day weekend getaway, according to AAA. The long holiday weekend will see the second-highest travel volume on record since AAA began tracking holiday travel volumes dating back to 2000, trailing only the bar set in 2005.

Overall, an additional 1.5 million people will take to the nation's roads, rails and runways compared with last year, a 3.6 percent increase, according to AAA.

The first weekender arrived Thursday at the Lake Arthur Family Campground, which is booked through the holiday weekend, said Nancy Kroczek, owner.

The 60-acre campground borders Moraine State Park and is minutes away from Lake Arthur. Camping is open to RVs, motor homes and campers who pitch tents.

Most campers will arrive Friday and Saturday, she said, adding that the area will see anywhere from 10 to 15 visitors in addition to the 80 regular campers.

Reservations are encouraged. Call 724-368-8977 to make reservations and for more information.

“This is the weekend most people come camping,” Kroczek said. “This is our biggest weekend of the season, even more so than July 4 and Labor Day.”

Despite a rising national gas price average that is inching closer to the $3 per gallon mark, the vast majority of holiday travelers will drive to their destinations, according to AAA.

Gas prices have increased by more than 30 cents in the past two months with the national average approaching $3 per gallon ($2.86 on May 14), which is relatively on par with prices this time last year ($2.87 on May 14, 2018), according to AAA.

Dead batteries, flat tires and lockouts will be the leading reasons AAA members will call for help.

The Memorial Day weekend does not typically bring in an influx of people who are preparing to travel to Elliott's Tire Service, said Aaron Petsinger, mechanic for Elliott's.

For people taking to the road, check all of the car's fluids before departing as well as the tire pressure and tire and brake condition, Petsinger advised.

“Always be prepared,” Cohen said, adding that families should know where they're staying and make reservations early as well as learn about the restaurants and activities in the community.

“You should know about the community before you get there and talk about it when you get home,” he said.

Here is the 2019 Memorial Day holiday travel forecast:Automobiles: The vast majority of travelers — 37.6 million — will hit the road, the most on record for the holiday and 3.5 percent more than last year.Planes: 3.25 million people will take to the skies, 4.8 percent more than last year, second only to 2005.Trains, Buses and Cruise Ships: Travel across these sectors will increase by 3.8 percent to 1.9 million passengers.SOURCE: AAAMemorial Day Events in ButlerMay 26: VFW Cranberry Township ceremony, 1 p.m. at North Boundary Park, 1171 North Boundary Road. The event is hosted by VFW Post 879 at the Veterans Monument in the park. Seneca Valley High School students will perform. There will also be the laying of wreaths and a color guard.May 27: Butler County 2019 Memorial Day Parade, 9:40 a.m. on Main Street in Butler. After the parade, there will be a short ceremony for veterans in Diamond Park.