Lakewood Ranch hosts Tribute to Heroes parade on Sunday

It’s actually the day before Memorial Day, but it’s still a great time to honor America’s veterans and active service men and women.

On Sunday, Lakewood Ranch’s Main Street will be the site of the annual Tribute to Heroes Parade. This year’s promises to be the biggest ever, with about 70 units scheduled to take part.

The parade starts at 7 p.m., but there will be stuff to do, see and hear starting at 5 p.m. High school bands will perform on the main stage (and then later they’ll join the parade), parade sponsors will have booths where some of them will offer free goodies, and the merchants from Main Street will be selling food and drinks inside their business and out on the street.

Kids can decorate their bikes and compete for prizes for the cutest, most patriotic and most creative decorations. All kids who decorate their bikes can ride their bikes in the parade. The judging takes place between 6:15 and 6:30 p.m. Kids who arrive after 6:30 p.m. can’t win prizes, but they can still ride in the parade.

The event is free for the public, but money from sponsorships will go to Manasota Operation Troops Support, which provides services for active-duty military personnel and veterans.

Details: 5-8 p.m. May 29, Main Street, Lakewood Ranch. Admission: Free. 941-302-3079, lwrcac.com.

This story was originally published May 25, 2016 at 4:37 PM with the headline "Lakewood Ranch hosts Tribute to Heroes parade on Sunday."