There are a number of events taking place on Veterans Day in the Bay area. We’ve compiled some of them below.

PINELLAS COUNTY

LARGO

Join the City in honoring local veterans at the annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Tuesday at 9 a.m. The ceremony will be inside the Central Park Performing Arts Center, located at 105 Central Park Drive.

The ceremony will feature live music, readings, and presentations by local veterans, offering a meaningful opportunity to express gratitude for their service. Attendees can also engage with various service and veteran groups. For more information, please contact 727-587-6740 Ext. 5014.     

GULFPORT

One year after the Gulfport Senior Center Foundation’s annual Veterans Day Commemoration was canceled due to the back-to-back hurricanes of 2024, the beloved community tradition returns. The event will take place Tuesday at 10 a.m. in Gulfport’s waterfront Veterans Park, located at 5350 31st Avenue South.

The Foundation invites the entire community to gather in honor of the men and women who have served and continue to serve our nation.

The program will include:

Military tunes by New Horizons Band
Welcome by the Gulfport Senior Center Foundation
Color Guard by Boca Ciega High School JROTC
National Anthem performed by Catherine Basset
Message to Our Military by a JROTC cadet
Address by Gulfport Mayor Karen Love
Invocation by Rev. Jon Scott
Moment of Silence & Taps by New Horizons Band
Retirement of the Colors

Following the ceremony, light refreshments will be served, offering an opportunity for attendees to mingle and share stories. Guests are encouraged to bring a folding chair for seating comfort.

For more information, please contact the Gulfport Senior Center Foundation office at 727-893-1244.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY

Hillsborough County Consumer & Veterans Services and the Veterans Council of Hillsborough County will host the 61st Annual Veterans Day Tribute on Tuesday at 10 a.m. on the grounds of Veterans Memorial Park & Rear Admiral LeRoy Collins, Jr. Veterans Museum, 3602 N. U.S. Hwy. 301, Tampa.

The annual event salutes Veterans of all eras and military branches with a family-friendly celebration that is free and open to all. 

The outdoor Veterans Day Tribute will feature: 

JROTC color guard and patriotic music 
Veterans Council Awards and special guests 
A variety of resources for Veterans and military families 
Free refreshments after the ceremony 
A kids’ craft area with take-home creations 

For the ninth consecutive year, the national Veterans Day Committee of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has named Hillsborough County’s Veterans Memorial Park & Rear Admiral LeRoy Collins, Jr. Veterans Museum to its list of official Regional Veterans Day Sites, a recognition of excellence for patriotism and honor to our nation’s military. The park is free and open daily from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. The community is encouraged to tour its many monuments, including the new Gold Star Family Memorial. 

For information about the 61st Annual Veterans Day Tribute or Veterans Memorial Park, visit HCFL.Gov/Veterans or call (813) 635-8316. 

ZOO TAMPA

ZooTampa at Lowry Park will host a special Veterans Day pinning ceremony on Tuesday from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Zoo’s Saunders Pavilion. The event aims to honor local military veterans for their service and sacrifice.

The ceremony will feature remarks from leaders of both organizations and will publicly recognize veterans from all branches of the military. Each honoree will receive a commemorative lapel pin and a letter of appreciation.

PASCO COUNTY

NEW PORT RICHEY

The City of New Port Richey invites you to come together in celebration and gratitude at the Veterans Day Parade on Tuesday at 5 p.m. around Orange Lake near Sims Park in Downtown New Port Richey.

Honoring the brave men and women who have served our country in uniform, the parade will feature local veterans, active military units, marching bands, community organizations, and civic groups. 

Residents and visitors alike are encouraged to attend, wear red, white, and blue, and show their support from along the parade route. All are welcome to participate in this memorable celebration of patriotism and community spirit.

The Downtown Area Roundabout Trolley (DART) will be operating for this event. For more information on the event, click here.

SARASOTA

The City of Sarasota, in conjunction with the Sarasota Patriotic Observance Committee, will co-host the annual Veterans Day Parade at 10 a.m., Tuesday in downtown Sarasota. The parade will begin at Orange Avenue and Main Street.

Several road closures and vehicle tow-away zones will be in effect for the parade beginning at 3 a.m., Tuesday.

The road closures are:

3 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Main Street closed from Links Avenue to Bayfront Drive

3 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Osprey Avenue closed from Ringling Boulevard to Second Street

Vehicles not removed by the posted time of 3 a.m. will be towed at the owner’s expense.