Memorial Day Events In Bradenton Celebrate America’s 250th

BRADENTON, FL — With America celebrating its 250th anniversary this year, Memorial Day events in the Bradenton area could have a more patriotic bent than in previous years.

Memorial Day Weekend runs May 23-25, with the holiday itself falling on Monday, the 25th.

Memorial Day is traditionally a somber recognition of soldiers who died in the Revolutionary War and the American Civil War, fought to establish and maintain freedom and liberty for all, and in every war with U.S. involvement since.

A National Moment of Remembrance takes place at 3 p.m. local time, and Floridians are encouraged to pause wherever they are for one minute of silence and join other Americans in honoring the men and women who died in U.S. military service.

• Freedom 250 Mobile Museum, Friday, noon to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m., Lakewood Ranch Library, Bradenton
• Remembering Our Fallen Photographic War Memorial, Friday, noon, through Monday, 6 p.m., Donald L. Courtney Veterans Memorial Park, Bradenton
• Manatee County Veterans Council Memorial Day Service, Monday, 9 a.m., Donald L. Courtney Veterans Memorial Park, Bradenton
• Memorial Day Ceremony, Monday, 10 a.m., Sarasota National Cemetery
• City of Anna Maria Memorial Day Event, Monday, 10 a.m., The Center, Anna Maria

Memorial Day Weekend is also often regarded as the unofficial start to summer. Activities on the lighter side of the holiday include the following:

• Memorial Draft Softball Tournament, Saturday, GT Bray Park, Bradenton
• 11th Annual SRQ Vets 5K Memorial Hike, Saturday, 8 a.m., JD Hamel Park, Sarasota
• Big Wheels & Paint Car Show, Saturday, noon to 5 p.m., 6305 State Road 70 E, Bradenton
• Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble Memorial Day Concert, Monday, 5 p.m., Patriots Plaza, Sarasota National Ceremony

Are you planning an event for Memorial Day or any other time this spring or summer? Feature it so nearby readers see it all across Patch — including in roundups like this!