Memorial Day parade returns to Main Street in Sarasota
The Memorial Day Parade returns to Main Street as an official event at 10 a.m. May 30.
Last year the parade, hosted by the city of Sarasota along with the Sarasota Patriotic Observance committee, was technically canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, though the observance committee hosted a ceremony at Chaplain J.D. Hamel Park and several veterans groups chose to walk down Main Street anyway.
This year, the parade starts at Osprey Avenue and concludes at J.D. Hamel Park, at Main Street and Gulfstream Avenue.
A ceremony at the park starts at 11 a.m. This year, the theme is “All Gave Some. Some Gave All.” The keynote speaker will be Cindy West, a U.S. Army veteran and registered nurse.
West is a graduate of Sarasota High School who works as a resource nurse on Sarasota Memorial Hospital’s Behavioral Health Intervention Team.
She also serves on the Sarasota Military Academy board of directors, is a former Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office deputy and has been active in many local organizations.
The parade will include performances by the Sarasota Military Academy band and drumline and participation from local law enforcement agencies, first responders, color guards, veterans’ groups, community organizations and local dignitaries. It will also feature a performance by more than 100 members of the Blair High School band visiting from Omaha, Nebraska.
Several other observances in the area are scheduled:
At 5 p.m. on Memorial Day, Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 State Road 72, Sarasota. The guest speaker will be State Rep. Fiona McFarland, a retired Marine veteran. There will also be a performance by the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble.
At 9 a.m. Saturday, May 28, a nonprofit hosts the SRQ Vets Memorial 5K Hike to honor the fallen heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice and unite the local veterans and civilian communities while raising funds to support SRQ VETS and its efforts to help the local veterans. The hike will start at JD Hamel War Memorial Park, 199 Bayfront Drive, Sarasota, and go through Downtown Sarasota. Cookout, music and rock wall and trampolines for the kids and kids at heart.
Registration starts at 8 a.m. For more information visit https://bit.ly/3Lx3o0c.
Manatee County
The Manatee County Veterans Council will host its Memorial Day Service at 9 a.m. May 30, at the Veterans Park – across the street from Bradenton Riverwalk, behind Manatee Memorial Hospital.
The city of Anna Maria will host a Memorial day Patriotic Symphony Salute, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., Monday, May 30 at the City Pier Park, 103 N Bay Blvd, Anna Maria.
At 7 a.m. Saturday, May 28 the Mansion Memorial Fallen Veterans Graves’ Flag Placement at 1400 36th Ave E, Ellenton. Is hosted by VFW 9226. Attendees will include American Legions 325 and 309. Breakfast for the volunteers will follow at American Legion Post 325 (a non-Smoking facility; masks are optional; indoor outdoor seating available). Contact American Legion Post 325, Ellenton, at 941-981-3819, with any questions.
At 6:05 p.m., Saturday, May 28, the Bradenton Marauders host Military Appreciation night At LECOM park, 1611 9th St W, Bradenton. The night includes a post-game fireworks display.
On Saturday and Sunday, there will be a soft opening of the new Lincoln Aquatic Center, 715 17th St E, Palmetto. Limited space will allow 100 guests at a time in the pool area for two-hour sessions from 9-11 a.m., 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., and 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, May 28; Sunday, May 29; and Monday, May 30. Families can reserve a spot for any of those two-hour sessions at mymanatee.org/makeasplash.
Pool fees will be waived over the Memorial Day Weekend as the pool complex welcomes guests for the first time.
Venice
American Legion NO-VEL Post 159 hosts the annual Venice Area Memorial Day Observance at 10 a.m. on Memorial day at Patriots Park, 800 Venetia Bay Blvd. Venice. While the American Legion is hosting the annual event, all veterans organizations in the Venice area and their auxiliaries will participate, including VFW Post 8118, DAV Post 101and the Marine Corp League. Guest speakers will include Venice Vice Mayor Rick Pachota, Sarasota County Commissioner Nancy Detert, US Army Master Sergeant (Ret.) Gordon Sherven and US Air Force Master Sergeant (Ret.) Barbra Vaughan.
Patriotic music will be provided by the Suncoast Wind Ensemble. The public is invited and urged to bring a chair.
North Port
In North Port, American Legion Post 254 is hosting a Memorial Day Ceremony from 10 to 11 a.m., May 30, at the City Center Green, 4970 City Hall Boulevard, North Port.
On Saturday, May 28, the Venice Symphony Patriotic Pops and Fireworks show is scheduled from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at CoolToday Park, 18000 S. West Villages Parkway, North Port. The concert features music from the great American songbook, a salute to the armed forces and guest artist, the a cappella group, Rockapella, singing contemporary favorites, and will be followed by a fireworks display.
Gates open at 5:30 pm. Tickets start at $15 and are available at ticketmaster.com and at the CoolToday Park box office. For more information, call 941-413-5000. Presenting Sponsor is the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.
Englewood
The Englewood Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Memorial Day Wreath Laying Ceremony, starting at 9 a.m., May 30, at Gulf Pine Memorial Park, 2401 Englewood Road. The event will also include a 21-gun salute and special guest speaker. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call Gulf Pines at 941-474-2413.
Punta Gorda
The annual Memorial Day ceremony at Veterans Park, 200 Harbor Park Drive, Punta Gorda, starts at 10 a.m. and will be followed by a reception at the Military Heritage Museum, 900 West Marion, Punta Gorda, Florida. The Military Heritage Museum will be open from noon to 4 p.m. on Memorial Day, admission is waived for all veterans.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Memorial Sarasota activities for 2022
