Waiting in traffic while driving on Memorial Day has become part of the holiday tradition for many, and this year was no different.

Local roads like Route 35 in Sea Girt were looking decent Monday afternoon, with some minor traffic around stoplights.

But over on the northbound side of the Garden State Parkway, there were brake lights aplenty, even with the not-so-perfect weather forcing many to head home early in the day.

Many people told News 12 they left their festivities early due to the inclement weather, but it was apparently not early enough to beat the traffic.

Some events did run through to their completion. A presentation of wreaths and an emotional ceremony were held in Holdel and at the Garden State's Vietnam Veterans Memorial Museum. In Summit, the streets were filled with red, white and blue for the town's Memorial Day parade. Nutley also held its 97th annual parade.

President Barack Obama marked Memorial Day by paying tribute to fallen soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.