Getting ready for the five-day weekend

This long weekend is the longest one of the year, with fivedays free in both Latvia andLithuania.May 1st being International Labor Day, followed by Mother's day (in Lithuania) on Sunday and Independence Day (in Latvia) on May4th. Both governments also decided on making Saturday, May 10th  a working day, and allowing citizens tohave this Friday free as well.  

 
Many events are planned across the Baltics, with singing andparades being at the top of the list.
Three military bands and guards of honor are preparing a parade program for May4, the day Latviamarks the declaration of its regained independence.

The program of the bands of the NAF Headquarters, Navy and Ground Forces willbegin at 11 a.m. in City Hall Square when the military bands together withstudent brass bands are to embark on a parade that will end by the FreedomMonumentin downtown Riga.At 11.30 participants of the march are to give a show by the monument.

For the first time, residents and guests of the Latvian capital will be able towatch a special performance by a group of percussionists from military bands atnoon.

After the parade program, guards of honor will change in a special ceremony at1.50 p.m. and Defense Minister Vinets Veldre, Defense Ministry state secretaryEdgars Rinkevics and military officials will lay flowers at the monument.

Many will be heading to beach resorts and mini-vacations as the weather has been unseasonably pleasant all week.

The next longest weekend will be for St. John's Day in late June with 4 days free.