State News

2018 Memorial Day Ceremonies, Parades and Concerts

WUSF | By Molly Urnek,

Andrea Martin, Sam Newlon, Mark Schreiner

Published May 25, 2018 at 12:00 PM EDT

We have compiled a list of Memorial Day events within the Tampa Bay area and across Florida, taking place Friday through Monday. With Subtropical Storm Alberto expected to mean rain for much of the area throughout the weekend, we'll try to keep this list updated with any cancellations or other changes.

Many Americans observe the day by visiting cemeteries, holding family gatherings and participating in parades.

Friday – May 25, 2018

River Tower Park Concert – 7-9 p.m. – 401 E. Bird Street, Tampa - A free concert in the park featuring The Cadillac Cowboys. For details, contact the Friends of Tampa Recreation.
Florida Orchestra's Patriotic Salute – 8 p.m. – Straz Center, 1010 N. W.C. MacInnes Place, Tampa - In honor of Memorial Day, the orchestra salutes the American spirit, with music from America’s greatest popular composers, from John Philip Sousa to John Williams.

Saturday – May 26, 2018

Honor Our Heroes Run – 8 a.m. – The start for the 5K run is at City Hall, 100 E. State St., Oldsmar. Organizers have teamed up with VIP Warriors, a local organization that provides equipment for military veterans. For details, contact Karla Malone (703) 357-6184
Sarasota National Cemetery – 10 a.m. – Patriot Plaza, 9810 State Road 72, Sarasota. The Memorial Day event is open to the public. For details, contact the event coordinator at (941) 448-6299.
Jacksonville National Cemetery – 10 a.m. - The public is invited to the Memorial Day Ceremony that will be held at the Flag Pole at the Jacksonville National Cemetery, 4083 Lannie Road, Jacksonville. Call for details: (904) 766-5222.
Veterans Service Organization Expo – 10 a.m. – SPC Seminole Campus, Conference Center, 9200 113th Street N., Seminole. The event brings together local VSOs to raise awareness of the programs and assistance available to our veterans and military families. It will also include a veterans' benefits workshop with members of Congressman Charlie Crist's staff discussing all the ways his office can assist local veterans – from locating military records or medals to providing assistance with VA pensions, healthcare, and service-connected compensation.
Becoming Civilian: A Warrior's Perspective – 6-8 p.m. – USFSP Kate Tiedemann College of Business Atrium & Auditorium, 700 4th Street S., Saint Petersburg. This Memorial Weekend, join local former military members as they share their stories of service, sacrifice, struggle, transition and growth and lend your voice towards this important policy reform effort.Seating is limited, RSVP by clicking here.
Florida Orchestra's Patriotic Salute – 8 p.m. – 400 1st St S., St. Petersburg.In honor of Memorial Day, the orchestra salutes the American spirit, with music from America’s greatest popular composers, from John Philip Sousa to John Williams.

Sunday – May 27, 2018

Clearwater Memorial Day Tribute – 1-4 p.m. – Crest Lake Park, 201 Glenwood Ave., Clearwater. Sponsored by the Tampa Bay Veterans Alliance, the event includes a Marine Corps Honor Guard, guest speakers like Clearwater Mayor George Cretekos, bugle calls, flag folding and catered barbecue.
Tallahassee National Cemetery – 3 p.m. – The public is invited to gather at the Committal Shelter for a Memorial Day ceremony at the Tallahassee National Cemetery, 5015 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee. Call (850) 402-8941 for more details.
Annual Memorial Day Concert – 4-5:30 p.m. – The Memorial Day concert in Sarasota includes: The First Brass, The Jacobites, RHS Highland Dancers, vocalist Sharon Scott and others. The concert will take place at St. James United Methodist 2049 Honore Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34235
Tribute to Heroes Parade & Block Party – 6-9 p.m. – Lakewood Ranch, 8100 Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, Bradenton. Festivities begin at 6 with the parade at 7 p.m. featuring kids on decorated bicycles, floats, local bands, choir groups, drum lines and dance teams, food and live entertainment. Proceeds benefit Manasota Operations Troop Support (MOTS), the Denis V. Cooper Foundation, and Braden River VFW 12055.

Lakewood Ranch "A Tribute to Heroes" Parade – 6-8 p.m. – Main Street, Lakewood Ranch. The parade will begin promptly at 7 p.m. Local bands and choir groups, drum lines and dance teams, floats, kids decorated bike contest, food, drinks and live entertainment. There will also be before and after parade festivities. Pre-parade block party starts at 6 p.m. with the street festivities continuing after the parade.
7th Annual Stars & Stripes USO Dance– 7-11 p.m. – The Coliseum, 535 4th Ave N., St. Petersburg. USO Central Florida presents the 7th Annual Stars & Striped USF Show & Dance. Experience an exciting night that brings to life the era of the Big Sound of Live Swing Music, featuring the GI Jive Big Band and an All-Star cast of Singing Sensations.
National Memorial Day Concert – 8-9:30 p.m. – Live on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. Broadcast on your local PBS station, the event features musical performances, documentary footage and dramatic readings that honor the military service of all our men and women in uniform, and to unite in the remembrance and appreciation of the fallen and to serve those who are grieving.

Monday – May 28, 2018

Bradenton Memorial Day Ceremony – 9 a.m. – Veterans’ Monument Park, directly behind the Manatee Memorial Hospital near U.S. 41 and the Bradenton Riverwalk. The guest speaker scheduled is Retired Rear Admiral Richard Buchanan. Event sponsored by the Manatee County Veterans’ Council.
Barrancas National Cemetery – 9 a.m. – A Memorial Day Ceremony is set at Shelter A, Barrancas National Cemetery at the Naval Air Station, 80 Hovey Road, Pensacola, FL. Call for details: (850) 453-4108 or 453-4846.
14th Annual Fallen Veterans Ride to Bushnell – 9:30 a.m. – Start location at the I-75 North, Interstate Rest Area, 1.5 miles north of I-275. The Tampa Bay Chapter of the Defenders Law Enforcement MC is organizing the ride.
Sarasota Memorial Day Parade – 10 a.m. – HAS BEEN CANCELLED.
Bay Pines National Cemetery – 10 a.m. – The Bay Pines VA in Pinellas County will commemorate Memorial Day with a ceremony at the Front Committal at the Bay Pines National Cemetery, 10000 Bay Pines Blvd. North, St. Petersburg.
Venice Annual Memorial Day Ceremony – 10 a.m. – Patriots Park, U.S. 41, just north of the intersection of U.S. 41 Bypass North and U.S. 41 Business. The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8118 is sponsoring the ceremony which is open to the public. The American Legion NO-VEL Post 159 host and open house immediately after the ceremony at their Post Home, 1770 E. Venice Ave., Venice.
South Florida National Cemetery – 10 a.m. – A Memorial Day Ceremony, open to the public, is planned at the Flag pole and Section 39, at the South Florida National Cemetery, 6501 South State Road 7, Lake Worth. For details, call (561) 649-6489.

Florida National Cemetery – 11 a.m. – A ceremony honoring those who have fallen is planned at the Florida National Cemetery Veterans’ Memorial assembly area, 6502 SW 102nd Avenue (Sumter County), Bushnell. For details, call (352) 793-7740 or 1074.
Cape Canaveral National Cemetery – 11:30 a.m. – A public ceremony is planned at the flag pole and assembly area at the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery, 5525 U.S. Highway 1, North, Mims. A total of 600 chairs will be available. Attendees are encouraged to arrive 30 to 45 minutes early to get a seat. The guest speaker will be Gen. Wayne Monteith, and the master of ceremony will be Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey. For more information, call (321) 383-2638.
Avon Park Memorial Day Program – 1 p.m. – American Legion Post 69, 1301 W. Bell St., Avon Park, has planned a special program to honor the troops and service animals that have given the ultimate sacrifice for the nation. Contact the Post Service Officer for more information at (850) 718-7773.
Memorial Day Sunset Ceremony – 7-8 p.m. – Largo Central Park, 101 Central Park Dr., Largo. The City of Largo is inviting the public to gather at sunset to honor those who have served and died for the country. A color guard, wreath laying and music will round out the ceremony. For details, contact Christina DeVoe at (727) 587-6740.

Washington D.C. Area

Tomb of the Unknowns, Arlington National Cemetery – 11 a.m. – The U.S. Army Military District of Washington will conduct a Presidential Armed Forces Full Honors Wreath-Laying Ceremony at 11 a.m., at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, to be followed by an observance program hosted by the Department of Defense in the cemetery's Memorial Amphitheater. A musical prelude by the United States Air Force Band will begin in the amphitheater at 10:30 a.m. All ceremonies are free and open to the public.
National Memorial Day Parade – 2 p.m. – The annual parade is held to commemorate the fallen troops from the Revolutionary War through the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The parade traditionally marches along Constitution Avenue in Washington D.C. Grand Marshals include Ken Burns, documentary film maker; Retired Gen. Richard Myers, 15th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and a tribute to World War II generation.