San Joaquin County Supervisor Sonny Dhaliwal is earmarking $50,000 in set-aside district funds to help cover part of the cost of bringing back the three-day Memorial Day Weekend commemoration at Woodward Park in Manteca.

The overall Board of Supervisors, when they meet Tuesday, will consider approving the expenditure.

The $50,000 would cover the following costs:

*$26,000 for most of the cost of a patriotic drone show to honor veterans.

*$4,500 to fund a Huey helicopter fly-in.

*$15,000 to go toward stage rental and lighting.

*$4,000 for sanitation services.

The request of Dhaliwal was made by the American Legion Post 249 Foundation that is partnering with the City of Manteca to bring back the event after a six-year hiatus.

During the initial 12 year run, the Not Forgotten event attracted roughly 30,000 attendees over a three-day period.

Military personnel indicated it was the largest Memorial Day weekend event of its kind west of the Mississippi River.

The event is expected to cost well in excess of $100,000 to stage.

Other various sponsorships are being sought including donating $100 for a cross as well as help defray other costs.

There will be 865 crosses placed at Woodward Park representing the 865 Californians that lost their lives in the Global War on Terror.

There are also other levels of sponsorships

Some cover the cost of specific elements such as the kids’ zone or rental of 400 folding chairs while other are event sponsorship packages.

Sponsorship information plus details on how to donate can be found at the website, thememorialweekend.org.

It is also where those that can volunteer can provide contact information.

 The event — that will include everything from a 5-K run, concerts, military displays, flyovers and patriotic flyovers to a drone glow show — is set for May 23, 24, and 25.

The Supervisorial District Funds were re-established by the Board of Supervisors in the 2023- 2024 adopted budget.

The intent of such funds is to provide Board members with County funds to address district-specific unmet needs. After the $50,000 is committed to the Memorial Day Weekend event, Dhaliwal will have $34,850 left in his district fund.

Dhaliwal represents Manteca, Lathrop, and parts of Stockton.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com