Here are all the 2022 Memorial Day events planned near Bradenton to honor the fallen
Several Memorial Day events are planned in the Bradenton-Sarasota area to honor the men and women who lost their lives defending their country during America’s wars.
▪ SRQ VETS is hosting the 7th Annual Memorial Day 5K hike to honor the fallen heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice Saturday, May 28, at JD Hamel Park, 199 Bayfront Drive, Sarasota. Registration starts at 8 a.m. and the hike starts at 9 a.m. This event is designed to unite local veteran and civilian communities while raising funds to support local veterans. SRQ VETS is a 100% volunteer veteran-run 501c3. The event includes includes a cookout, music, rock wall bungee jumping, raffles and more. Click here for tickets at $30 per adult.
▪ The Department of Veterans Affairs will host a Memorial Day tribute honoring the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in military service to America 10 a.m. May 28 at Sarasota National Cemetery’s Patriot Plaza, 9810 State Road 72. The names of fallen military members will be called aloud and Taps will be played. Musicians and vocalists from Pine View School will perform and a video production reflecting the lives of Master Sgt. Charles J. Brown Jr., Cpl. Laurence O’Dea, and Pfc. Jalfred D. Vaquerano will be livestreamed at 11 a.m. While this will be an outdoor event, all attendees are encouraged to adhere to CDC guidelines, wear masks and maintain physical distancing from other attendees to limit the transmission of COVID-19.
▪ The Manatee County Veterans Council plans a Memorial Day service starting at 9 a.m. May 30 at Veterans Park, behind Manatee Memorial Hospital and across the street from the Bradenton Riverwalk. Navy retired Commander Donna Fournier will be the guest speaker. The public is invited.
Fournier served 26 years in the U.S. Naval Reserve Intelligence Program. She researched, wrote, and edited a history, Women Serving the Military in America’s Defense, available at the Bradenton downtown library. She lives in Bradenton with her husband, Neil Moore, a Vietnam combat Marine.
▪ City of Anna Maria’s 7th Annual Memorial Day Symphony Salute is set for 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. May 30. The Anna Maria Island Concert Orchestra, conducted by Leonard Murphy, will have more than 30 pieces, the largest yet, and play patriotic songs for more than an hour. There’s also a special veteran and veteran’s spouse recognition ceremony, along with the USMC honor guard presenting the colors and a Coast Guard flyover, weather permitting. It’s an outdoor event on the waterfront at the City Pier Park, 100 North Bay Drive in Anna Maria. The public is invited.
▪ Sarasota Memorial Day Parade 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 30. Parade begins downtown and travels down Main Street starting at Osprey Avenue, followed by a post-parade ceremony at J.D. Hamel Park on Gulf Stream Avenue, Sarasota.
Roads closed and tow-away zones for parade:
- 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Gulfstream Avenue closed from Cocoanut Avenue to McAnsh Sq.
- 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Main Street closed from U.S. 301 to Gulfstream Avenue
- 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Links Avenue closed from 1st Street to Ringling Boulevard
- 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Osprey Avenue closed from 2nd Street to Ringling Boulevard
▪ The public is invited to Memorial Day activities hosted by Kirby Stewart American Legion Post May 30. Activities begin at 9 a.m. at Fogartyville Cemetery, 4200 Third Ave. NW, Bradenton, with a traditional graveside ceremony for Lt. Kirby Stewart.
At 11 a.m., there will be a ceremony with retired Lt. Gen. Bob Caslen, former West Point superintendent, at Post 24, 2000 75th St. W. The first 50 people to attend the 11 a.m. ceremony will receive a free lunch, which begins immediately following the ceremony. The public is invited to have “Lunch with Heroes.” Burgers, hot dogs and other items from the grill will be available for purchase. Live music will begin at 1:30 p.m. and continue throughout the day.
▪ The Lakewood Ranch String Ensemble will present a Memorial Day concert starting at 5 p.m. Monday, May 30, in the Patriot Plaza, the 2,800-seat amphitheater at Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 State Road 72, Sarasota. The event will also include an Air Force flyover, color guard and brief remarks by U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan. The public is invited. By cemetery policy, picnicking is not allowed.
Is there a local event that’s not listed here? Let us know at jajones1@bradenton.com.
This story was originally published May 20, 2022 at 5:50 AM.
