Memorial Day Events In St. Pete Celebrate America’s 250th

With America celebrating its 250th anniversary this year, Memorial Day events in the St. Petersburg 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.

• Memorial Day Ceremony, Monday, 9 to 10 a.m., Largo Central Park
• Bay Pines VA’s Annual Memorial Day Ceremony, Monday, 11 a.m. to noon, Bay Pines VA Healthcare System, St. Petersburg
• Memorial Day Ceremony, Monday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Memorial Park Cemetery & Funeral Home, St. Petersburg

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

• St. Petersburg’s neighborhood pools also reopen starting Friday with a $1 Splash Day on Monday for Memorial Day.
• Florida Orchestra performs “America 250 - Rhapsody in Blue,” Friday, 8 p.m., at the Straz Center in Tampa; Saturday, 8 p.m., at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Pete.
• Memorial Day Weekend Glass Art Experience, Saturday and Sunday, buy one adult admission, get one child admission free, at the Imagine Museum, St. Petersburg.
• Red, White & Boozy Party, Sunday, noon to 8 p.m., TradeWinds Resort, St. Pete Beach
• Beats & Brews, Monday, 2 to 6 p.m., Mastry’s Brewing, St. Pete Beach
• The James Museum offers free admission to veterans, active military, and Gold Star and Blue Star families on Monday.
• “Draw Your Hero,” free community art activity on Monday at Floridarama. Drink and Ticket specials Friday through Monday.

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!