TAMPA, FL — With America celebrating its 250th anniversary this year, Memorial Day events in the Tampa 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.
Hillsborough County 29th Annual Memorial Day Observance Ceremony, Sunday, 10 a.m. to noon, Veterans Memorial Park, TampaAmerican Legion Memorial Day Ceremony, Monday, 11 a.m., American Legion U.S.S. Tampa Post 5CRISP Memorial Day Ceremony, Monday, 11 a.m., MacDill Park, TampaVFW Post 424 Memorial Day Observation, Monday, 11:30 a.m., Rose Hill Memorial Park, Tampa
Memorial Day Weekend is also often regarded as the unofficial start to summer. Activities on the lighter side of the holiday include the following:
Red, White & Bloom Market, Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Greater Hillsborough County Fairgrounds, DoverSaddlebrook Memorial Weekend Pass, Saturday and Sunday, noon to 10 p.m., Saddlebrook Resort, Wesley ChapelFlorida 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. Pre-Memorial Day Ruck March, Sunday, 7 to 10 a.m., Ballast Point Park, Tampa.Memorial Day Community Fest, Monday, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., New Life Tabernacle UPC, SeffnerMemorial Day Family Picnic, Monday, 1 p.m., VFW Post 4321, TampaMemorial Day Skating Fun, Monday, 1 to 4 p.m., United Skates, TampaFamily Memorial Day Skate, Monday, 6 to 8:30 p.m., Skate World, Tampa
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