Memorial Day Weekend 2023: 11 Things To Do In Bradenton

BRADENTON, FL — As part of a nearly 160-year tradition that pays tribute to military personnel who lost their lives in service to their country, there are a number of Memorial Day events and services in Manatee County this weekend:

• Memorial Day Tribute, Saturday, 10 to 11:15 a.m., Sarasota National Cemetery, includes music and poetry, a memorial wreath presentation, and names of fallen military members spoken by Gold Star families.
• Military Appreciation Night, Saturday, 6:30 p.m., Bradenton Marauders home game at LECOM Park, Bradenton, stay for post-game fireworks.
• Tribute to Heroes Block Party & Parade, Sunday, 6 to 8 p.m., Lakewood Ranch Main Street, there will be food, drinks, activities for the kids and more.
• Memorial Day Service, Monday, 9 a.m., Donald L. Courtney Veterans Park on the Riverwalk, Bradenton, hosted by the Manatee County Veterans Council.
• Memorial Day Ceremony, Monday, 10 a.m., City Pier Park, Anna Maria, immediately following the ceremony, the city will celebrate its 100th anniversary.

As the observance has changed over the years, many families also use Memorial Day as an occasion to visit Manatee County cemeteries and leave flowers at the graves of family members, regardless of whether they served in the military.

Memorial Day Weekend is also the unofficial kickoff to summer in the Bradenton area. Below are more ways to spend the weekend:

• Resin Art Workshop, Saturday, 11 a.m., GypSea Soul, Bradenton
• Tim Michael McCaig live at Motorworks Brunch, Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Motorworks Brewing, Bradenton
• Spring Indie Market, Saturday, noon to 6 p.m., The Mall at University Town Center, Sarasota
• Veg Head Music & Wine Festival, Saturday, noon to 6 p.m., The Mall at University Town Center, Sarasota
• Christie Lenee live, Saturday, 6:30 p.m., The Habitat House Concerts, Bradenton
• Sunday Blues Brunch featuring Kat Crosby & the Rhythm Gators, Sunday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Mattison’s Riverwalk Grille, Bradenton

The history of Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, dates back to 1868, when Gen. John A. Logan called for a day of remembrance to honor the Northern lives lost amid battle during the Civil War that had ended just a few years earlier, according to History.com. As time passed, more and more people called it Memorial Day, and it became a federal holiday in 1971.

Waterloo, New York, is considered the birthplace of Memorial Day. The town’s observance on May 5, 1866, predated Logan’s call for a day of remembrance. Local businesses closed and residents decorated the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers and flags.

Until World War I, the holiday honored only those soldiers who died while fighting for the Union in the War, as Southern states honored their war dead on a separate day. After the 116,000-plus American deaths in World War I, the tradition changed to remember all who have died while serving in the military.

Every year, a national moment of remembrance is held at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day. No matter where they are or what they’re doing, Americans are asked to pause for one minute in silence to remember military personnel who have given their lives in service to their country. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, the midday time was chosen because it’s a time when many Americans will be enjoying their freedoms on a national holiday.