Memorial Day Weekend in the Desert: Celebrating Summer, Safely

Heat, Hydration, and Hooray for Shade

For most, Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer. pools, barbeques, and outdoor fun. But, here in Phoenix, it also brings the triple-digit temperatures. So if you’re venturing outdoors this Memorial Day weekend, let’s take a quick detour into the glamorous realm of “heat illness.” Exciting, I know.

If you start feeling any of these, consider it your body’s not-so-subtle hint to get out of the sun, find somewhere cool, and start drinking water immediately -- or even call 911 if things get severe:

• Dizziness or lightheadedness (the world should not spin from standing up)

• Profuse sweating, then—uh oh—suddenly not sweating at all

• Muscle cramps that make it look like you’re dancing, but not in a good way

• Headache that’s not just from your uncle’s corny jokes

• Nausea, vomiting (because your stomach clearly didn’t RSVP to these temperatures)

• Rapid heartbeat and breathing (not to be confused with excitement over potato salad)

• Confusion, irritability, or acting a little “off” (which, for some of us, is not that unusual—but still)

Now, I know you already know the drill. WATER. Not just Capri Suns or soda (or adult "sodas"). Water. Lots of it. I don’t want to sound like a broken record, but the desert heat will take every opportunity to convince you that going for a swim or having a popsicle counts for hydration. Spoiler: they do not. If your urine looks more like apple juice than lemonade, it’s time for another bottle.

Find the shade. Make your own if you have to—hello, bedsheet-turned-tent. Wear those floppy hats. Reapply your sunscreen every two hours, even if there’s cloud cover (which there won’t be because, well, Phoenix). Check on your kids, grandparents, pets, and anyone who claims they’re “fine” but look like they’re wilting. Heat stroke is sneaky and doesn’t care about your plans for grilled hot dogs.

Why the Long Weekend Really Matters

In the middle of the summer fun, it’s easy to forget what Memorial Day really means. For a lot of families—especially in our neck of the woods where a long weekend is precious—it’s a hard-won chance to gather, eat, and maybe let the kids run around long enough to tire themselves out by 7 p.m. But this holiday isn’t just about patio furniture and that first swim of the season.

Memorial Day is for remembering those who served and never made it home. There are folks in our community with empty seats at their tables this weekend, and for them, “celebrating” comes with a little more weight. I think just pausing, even quietly between bites of barbecue, to honor their sacrifice makes a difference—teaching our kids (and maybe reminding ourselves) that our freedom to plan a weekend in the park or a backyard splash pad comes from real people’s courage. No fancy speeches needed. Just a moment of thanks.

So while you’re out there this weekend, chasing shade and swapping stories, remember to take care of each other in more ways than one. Celebrate. Enjoy. Laugh a little louder, hug a little tighter, and when you see those flags waving—let it mean something.

Happy (hydrated) Memorial Day, friends. Stay cool out there.