How Our Memorial Day Party Started, and Why It Keeps Growing 25 Years Later

Every year, after a long winter and an even longer, oftentimes difficult spring, there's one weekend that tells us summer is finally here. It's the Enders’ Family Memorial Day Party. This year marked 25 years of celebrating and spending quality time with those whom we cherish most. 

When I thought about writing this, one thing immediately came to mind: it’s much more than a party. After attending previous celebrations, as well as this year’s, I wanted to know more about the history of it all. I sat down with MSI Founder, Michael Enders, to get down to the details of how it all started and what makes this event so special. After our time together, it’s easy to see why it has become such an important tradition for so many people.

What a lot of people don't know is that it didn't start as a "party" at all.

How it Began

According to the family, it all started with Michael and Tracy taking their children Mary Leigh and Joshua to the town's Memorial Day parade. Eventually, they decided to host their own version of a Memorial Day observance (and an even better one at that). There was no formal plan, no extensive guest list, and no expectation that it would become anything beyond a family celebration. Neighbors started catching on, and through the chatter in the local community, more people in town started showing up, too. This led to the whole operation to kind of grow on its own with more and more people joining in. One year it was a family outing, and somewhere along the way, it became something the whole family, neighborhood and even town look forward to.

Despite its growth, the purpose of the day remains clear. At its core, the celebration honors the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Throughout the event, there is a strong sense of remembrance and gratitude balanced with celebration, which I found to be a fitting tribute to those being honored.

Honoring the Flag

One tradition that stood out to me was the respect shown to the American flag. Michael and his son, Josh, have helped revive and maintain the town’s Memorial Day flag observances. Twice each Memorial Day they drive around Coventry ensuring that the flags throughout the town are flown at half-staff during the morning before being raised to full staff at noon. It’s a meaningful gesture that reflects the purpose and spirit of the day, and reminds attendees of the significance behind the holiday.

The Stage, the Band, and a Tradition that Stuck

An iconic staple of the party is the stage. How often do you attend a party in the backyard with a full stage? During COVID, MSI’s President, Mary Leigh, along with friends and Michael, helped construct an early version of the stage that stands today. That effort eventually led to one of the party’s most beloved traditions: a live band, every year.

Over the years, the gathering has continued to evolve. The family has welcomed exchange students from more than 23 countries, introducing visitors from around the world to this uniquely American tradition, and further expanding the sense of community that surrounds the event. The party has become the official kickoff of summer.

This Year's Party

As for this year’s celebration, many attendees, including myself, have agreed it may have been one of the best yet. Even with the rain coming down on us all throughout the morning the sun came out in time for the start time of the party. In perfect weather, we made the celebration a roaring success and the energy never faded. With the neighbor providing a selection of his own music, a full band and even a DJ to complete the evening, there was plenty of wonderful music.

There were tasty treats, two bartenders, and SO MUCH FOOD. The food alone was enough to bring people together, with attendees enjoying the famous Mrs. Funk's sangria, Mr. Funk's beef strips, Jill’s devilled eggs, Tracy's chicken tenders, smoked ribs, mac and cheese, and a brussel sprout salad that quickly became a crowd favorite.

The atmosphere and decorations came courtesy of Mary Leigh Enders' second business, The Picnic Project. Combined with the food, the music, and the company, the result was full of love, amazing vibes, and genuine connection all around.

In addition to all I’ve mentioned, the Enders took the party one step further, by encouraging donations for Comanche Outdoors, an organization developed for veterans to receive support after service in a multitude of ways, from outdoor experiences to service animal matches. Please, take some time to learn more and make a donation if you are able to.  

After attending this year’s event, I understand why people keep coming back. That's the thing about this day... This party is the moment we all come back together, remember those who gave it all, and kick off the summer the right way.

Here's to 25 years and to many more. We hope to see you next time!

All photos by Zach with @outtafocus.art