Memorial Day Weekend Events Set In Bradenton-Sarasota

Sarasota Memorial Day Parade

The annual Sarasota Memorial Day Parade will take place Monday, May 28 starting at 10 a.m. at Osprey Avenue. The 2018 theme is: "All Gave Some. Some Gave All."

The 130-member Blair High School Band from Omaha, Nebraska, will join in the parade and the Sarasota Military Academy will represent local area high schools.

The following units will participate: City of Sarasota Police Color Guard, Sarasota County Sheriff's Color Guard, Sarasota County Fire Department Color Guard, EMS units, Vets on Bikes, American Legion Post 30, VFW Post 3233, DAV Chapters 3 and 97, Vet Center, Vietnam Veterans, Goodwill/USF Veterans, MIA/USF Veterans, Veterans for Common Sense, Sun Coast Retirees, Pearl Harbor Survivor Capt. Robert O'Neil, local dignitaries, SAR/DAR, Ex-POWs, Woman Navy Veterans, WWII Female Veterans, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Red Cross and the MOA group.

Parade organizers are hoping for an Air Force fly-over at 10 a.m.

Following the parade, there will be a post-parade ceremony at 11 a.m. at J.D. Hamel Park on Gulf Stream Avenue.

Memorial Day Concert

A Memorial Day concert and observance of all branches of the military will take place Monday, May 28 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Philippi Estate Park, 5500 S. Tamiami Trail, in Siesta Key.

The Sarasota Concert Band will perform and there will be vendors selling food and beverages or bring your own picnic along with lawn chairs or a picnic blanket.

Admission is $5 for adults. Children 16 and under are admitted for free.

St. Armand’s Seafood & Music Festival

The second annual St. Armand’s Seafood & Music Festival will take place Saturday and Sunday, May 26-27 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at St. Armand’s Circle Park, Sarasota.

The St. Armand's Seafood & Music Festival offers foods (seafood, meat and vegetarian) prepared fresh on site, drinks, side dishes and desserts while enjoying the music of Nostaljah, Hard Luck Society, Kettle of Fish and Mac Arnold & Plate Full O’ Blues on Saturday and Act 3, RJ Howson, Sarasota Steel Pan Band and Twinkle & Rock Soul Radio on Sunday.

The event is hosted by the Humane Society of Sarasota County and produced by Paragon Festivals. Adoptable pets will be on site.

General admission is free. VIP Tent admission is $130.

Venice Memorial Day Ceremony

The Annual Venice Area Memorial Day Ceremony, sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8118, will be held May 28 at 10 a.m. at Patriots Park on U.S. 41. All area veterans organizations will participate.

The public is invited to bring a folding chair for the ceremony. Following services at Patriots Park, American Legion NO-VEL Post 159 will host an open house at its post home, 1770 E. Venice Ave., Venice.

Myakka River Blues Festival

The Suncoast Blues Society will present the seventh annual Myakka River Blues Festival on Memorial Day, May 28, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Snook Haven Restaurant on the Myakka River, 5000 E Venice Ave., Venice.

This year's headliner is The Rusty Wright Band from Michigan. The lineup also includes The Dale Robbins Band from Australia, Harmonica Wizard Dockta D from Baltimore, Sarasota Slim, Nitro Boseman and more. Tickets are $15 pre-sale and $20 at the door. Click here for tickets.

Manatee Memorial Day Ceremony

The Manatee County Veterans’ Council will present the 2018 Memorial Day ceremony at Veterans’ Monument Park on Monday, May 28 at 9 a.m.

The keynote speaker will be Brig. Gen. Richard Blunt. There will also be organizations laying wreaths including the Daughters of the American Revolution, the American Legion, Elks, VFW, Korean War, Vietnam War, WWII, WWI and Gulf War era veterans groups.

Veterans’ Monument Park is located directly behind the Manatee Memorial Hospital near U.S. 41 and the Bradenton Riverwalk.

Tribute to Heroes

A Tribute to Heroes Memorial Day Parade will take place on Main Street in Lakewood Ranch from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, May 27. The parade will begin promptly at 7 p.m.

The parade will feature local bands and choir groups, drum lines, dance teams and floats.

There will also be a kids’ decorated bike contest, food, drinks and live entertainment. A pre-parade block party starts at 6 p.m. with the street festivities continuing after the parade.

Memorial Day At Jungle Gardens

United States Armed Forces personnel will be honored at Sarasota Jungle Gardens, 3701 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota, Memorial Day weekend May 26-28.

Veterans and all active-duty military members and their families are eligible to receive one free admission (with valid ID) with the purchase of one adult or child’s regularly priced same-day admission.

Admission is free for children 3 and under; $12.99 for children 4-16; $17.99 for adults and $16.99 for seniors 65 and over.

Music In the Park

Enjoy Live Music in the Park at Cafe in the Park with Hymn For Her on Friday, May 25. There will be food available starting at 6 p.m. and music from 7 to 9 p.m.

Cafe in the Park is located south of downtown Sarasota in Payne Park, 2010 Adams Lane, Sarasota.

Seating is limited so bring a beach chair or folding chair.

Memorial Day Observance

A program honoring America's fallen soldiers and their families will take place in honor at Sarasota National Cemetery on Sunday, May 27 at 10 a.m. at Patriot’s Plaza, 9810 State Road 72, Sarasota.

Purple Heart recipient David Taylor, an Army veteran, will be the keynote speaker. Local artists will perform a medley of patriotic music. Visitors may bring lawn chairs.

Dance Party

Dance the night away to the funky sounds of Reverend Barry and the Funk on the area’s largest dance floor Saturday, May 26 from 7:30 to 11 p.m. at the Sarasota Event Center, 600 N. Beneva Road, Sarasota. Tickets are $10 in advance and include a free drink.

Venice Brew Bash

The Venice Brew Bash 7 with more than 60 craft and imported beers along with food vendors will take place Saturday, May 26 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Venice Community Center, 326 Nokomis Ave.,Venice.

Tickets are $35 in advance, $45 the day of show and include an armband, glass and an afternoon of unlimited beer tasting. Click here for more info and tickets.

Image via city of Sarasota