Here's What's Happening In Tampa Bay This Memorial Day Weekend

Brews and Battle Stories

Get a head start on Memorial Day Thursday, May 24 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Hula Bay Club, 5210 W. Tyson Ave., Tampa, with Concerned Veterans for America.

The CVA is inviting the veteran community in Tampa Bay to share their experiences of their service as well as coming home and their lives after transitioning out of the uniform.

For more information, contact CVA Senior Field Director Rick Disney (813) 928-0046 or email rdisney@cv4a.org.

Honoring Fallen Heroes

The community is invited to Hillsborough County's 21st annual Memorial Day Weekend Remembrance at Veterans Memorial Park and Museum, 3602 U.S. 301 N., Tampa.

The Sunday, May 27 at 10 a.m. event honors U.S. military men and women from all branches of service who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Speakers representing active-duty military members, county leadership and Gold Star families will offer local perspectives on the true meaning of Memorial Day. The event will also feature a color guard, rifle salute, solemn wreath ceremony and the playing of “Taps.”

An informal gathering with refreshments will follow, and attendees are encouraged to stay and enjoy the park and museum displays. Bleacher seating is available but attendees may bring lawn chairs.

Sunset Funeral Home and Memory Gardens, 11005 N. U.S. 301, Thonotosassa, will host a Memorial Day observance Monday, May 28 at 11 a.m. Free hot dogs and hamburgers will follow the observance.

Join the City of Largo for its annual Memorial Day Ceremony including a color guard performance, music, and a wreath presentation in remembrance of fallen soldiers. This event is free and open to the public Monday, May 28, at 7 p.m. at Largo Central Park's Military Court of Honor, 101 Central Drive.

Let Freedom Ring

The Florida Orchestra celebrates Memorial Day weekend with “Let Freedom Ring: An American Salute,” three concerts of patriotic favorites. Jeff Tyzik conducts the performances at 8 p.m. Friday, May 25, at the David. A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa, 8 p.m. Saturday, May 26, at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg, and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 27, at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater. Tickets are $15 to $45. Visit the orchestra’s website.

Tampa Bay Margarita Festival

Enjoy more than 50 kinds of margaritas, live bands, games, pop-up food concepts, a tequila tasting, a margarita run, margarita brunch and a fireworks show at the sixth annual Tampa Bay Margarita Festival on Saturday and Sunday, May 26-27, at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa.

Saturday’s headliner is The Wallflowers, and Sunday night Everclear will take the stage. In addition, there will 10 other bands including Plain White T’s and Fastball.

For tickets, click here.

Memorial Day At Crest Lake Park

The Tampa Bay Veterans Alliance is hosting its annual Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 28 at 10:30 a.m. at Florida Veterans Memorial Plaza at Crest Lake Park in Clearwater. The event will include speeches and appearances by elected officials and guest speakers, including John "Tig" Tiegen. Tig is a Marine sergeant and offers a firsthand account of his personal experience in the book "13 Hours: The Inside Account of What Really Happened in Benghazi."

A memorial plaque to honor Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf will also be dedicated for placement on the wall at the Florida Veterans Memorial Plaza.

Memorial Day At Hamburger Mary’s

Celebrate Memorial Day Sunday, May 27 from 4 to 10 p.m.. at Hamburger Mary’s in Brandon, 2016 Town Center Blvd., with music by The Cheaters and Dj Shannon C. Call (813) 643-2110 for reservations..

Corvettes In the Park

Browse a huge selection of Corvettes ranging from 1950s classics to brand new models and race cars on Saturday, May 28 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Straub Park, 350 Bay Shore Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. The event is free for spectators with food, live entertainment and vendors available.

Click here for information.

97x Barbecue & Music Festival

Soak in the sun and jam out to your favorite bands as they perform live in Vinoy Park, 701 Bay Shore Drive N.E., in downtown St. Pete for the 97x Barbecue & Music Festival Saturday, May 26 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

This year's lineup features Dirty Heads, Awolnation, Judah & The Lion, AJR and more. It's a full day of music, plus art exhibits, live demonstrations and art vendors. Tickets start at $29 and can be purchased online.

WFLZ Memorial Day Live

Flo Rida and singer-rapper LunchMoney Lewis will eadline this year's WFLZ Memorial Day live concert on Clearwater Beach. The party runs Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday through Monday starting at 10 a.m. but the headliners play at 9 p.m. Saturday, May 26. The concert takes place at Shephard's Beach Resort, 619 S Gulfview Blvd., Clearwater Beach. It costs $35 for a weekend pass (727) 442-5107.

Oldsmar Freedom Fest

Oldsmar will host its Freedom Fest at the Oldsmar State Street Festival Zone on State Street East and Fairfield Street. The festival features live music by area bands, food and craft vendors, children's activities and a Memorial Day ceremony. Oldsmar. It runs from 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, May 25, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, May 26, and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday, May 27. Call (813) 855-4233 for information.

Burgatory Fest

The annual Memorial Day weekend punk festival returns with free beef and vegetarian burgers to early arrivers and live punk music by 14 bands including Wolf-Face, Sunshine State, Mighty Mongo, Fero Lux, Reveal Renew, Teen Agers, You Vandal, Operator, Buffalo Buffalo, New Cathedreal, Caffiends, Career, Stegosaurus and Worst Party Ever. The fest will take place Saturday, May 26, starting at 4 p.m. at Fubar, 658 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Call (727) 424-1809.

Memorial Day Sandbar Concert

The only way to get to this concert is by boat. Bring chairs, coolers and even the dog, and wade in the water while you listen to live music from a pontoon boat stage anchored in the channel off Tanglewood Way. This free floating Memorial Day party features music by Hal Hammer Jr. and the Cross Creek Blues Band and Chris Hiatt with Cold Shot. It takes place Sunday, May 27 from noon to 4:30 p.m. at "P" Channel, 2189 Tanglewood Way N.E., St. Petersburg. Call (727) 282-4425.

Water Ski Show

Skiers ages 6 to 60 will present a special salute to Memorial Day through a theatrical water show that includes barefoot, jump, ballet, adagio and pyramid acts. The Tampa Bay Water Ski Show Team will perform at its facility at Tower Lake, 130 Burbank Road, Oldsmar, Saturday, May 26, at 6 p.m. Call (727) 480-9365.

Did we forget an event? Let us know. Post your events on Patch and we will add them to the list.

Image via Patch Archives/Linda Chion Kenney