If you’re searching for a Memorial Day event around the Tampa Bay area, you’re sure to find one. We’ve listed several here. Please note, not all are on Monday. All are free as far as we know, unless otherwise noted.

PINELLAS COUNTY

BAY PINES NATIONAL CEMETERY

Perhaps the biggest, certainly the most well known, Memorial Day service will take place at 10 a.m. Monday (May 30) at the Bay Pines National Cemetery, 10000 Bay Pines Blvd. N, Seminole.

This is the only National Cemetery in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties and the largest observance of Memorial Day with more than 3,000 expected attendees. Veterans, their families and friends, and the general public are invited to attend.

Speakers for the event will include U.S. Rep. David Jolly, 13th Congressional District of Florida and local VA leaders from the Bay Pines VAHCS, St. Petersburg VA Regional Office and Bay Pines National Cemetery. Master of ceremonies will be Bay News 9 senior reporter Melissa Eichman. The ceremony will also include musical performances by the Brass Ring Quintet, a firing salute, and taps performance.

Vietnam Veterans who attend the ceremony will receive a special lapel pin as part of the Bay Pines VA’s continued commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War.

Keynote speaker will be U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. (ret.) Martin R. Steele. Steele rose from the rank of private to three-star general, serving three tours of duty on two continents, with a tenure as the longest serving Chief Operating Officer in the history of the Marine Corps. He culminated his military career as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans, Policies, and Operations at Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, in Washington, D.C. in August 1999.

Parking for the ceremony will be available nearby. Shuttles will provide transportation for guests from parking lots to the National Cemetery. The venue is handicapped accessible. A sign language interpreter will be available for the hearing impaired. The ceremony will be held rain or shine. Please plan appropriately for inclement weather.

LARGO

The Armed Forces History Museum, 2050 34th Way N, will hold a Memorial Day Family Fun Fest from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday. Included in the day will be World War II re-enactments, military dress-up, face painting and homing pigeons. But it won’t be all fun and games. A memorial ceremony is scheduled at 11:50 a.m. featuring U.S. Congressman David Jolly, Largo Mayor Woody Brown, the Largo Police Department color guard and trumpeter, a 21-gun salute and a wreath-laying, among other activities. There is a fee for the day’s activities: $10 for adults and $5 for kids ages 4-12. For more information, click here and scroll down the appropriate flyer.

The city of Largo will hold its own Memorial Day ceremony at 7 p.m. Monday in Largo Central Park’s Military Court of Honor, 101 Central Park Drive. This evening will include a color guard presentation, music and a wreath presentation in remembrance of our fallen soldiers.

OLDSMAR

The city of Oldsmar will hold a Memorial Day ceremony from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday at Veterans Memorial Park, 250 Shore Drive E.

TREASURE ISLAND

The city of Treasure Island and the American Legion Post 158 are sponsoring a Memorial Day Parade at 9 a.m. Monday. The parade will begin at the Treasure Bay Golf and Tennis Center, 10315 Paradise Blvd., and end at the Treasure Island Community Center, Gulf Boulevard and 106th Ave. A Memorial Day ceremony hosted by American Legion Post 158 will follow at 11 a.m. at the post, 111 108th Ave. Temporary road closures will occur along Paradise Boulevard, 107th Avenue/Treasure Island Causeway and 1st Street E between 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. for the parade.

CLEARWATER

The city of Clearwater will celebrate Memorial Day by unveiling the Florida Veterans Memorial Plaza. The ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. Sunday (May 29) at Crest Lake Park, 201 S Glenwood Ave. (the corner of Gulf to Bay Boulevard and South Lake Drive). Clearwater Mayor George Cretekos, U.S. Congressman David Jolly and other dignitaries will be in attendance and speak at the ceremony.

The memorial project is a partnership between the city of Clearwater and the Tampa Bay Veterans Alliance. The nonprofit organization raised more than $150,000 through donations, and the city of Clearwater matched that with another $150,000. The total of $300,000 is what was needed to build the memorial’s first phase.

This is one of the only memorial plazas in the state of Florida where all branches of the armed forces are represented. Phase 1 will be unveiled during the ceremony. Phase I includes a brick circular plaza with a gold star design in the middle, along with a paved walkway from a new parking lot located on the east side of the plaza off S Lake Drive. There will also be an American flag displayed alongside Florida and POW flags, and flags from each branch of the United States military. The plaza will be surrounded by walls where people can have the name of a veteran engraved for a small contribution.

The second phase of construction will include the installation of bronze sculptures representing various branches of the U.S. Armed Forces throughout periods of conflict from World War II to present. That project will cost an estimated $1 million. The Tampa Bay Veterans Alliance is currently raising $500,000, and the city of Clearwater will match that to pay for phase two. A project timeline for phase two has yet to be determined.

TARPON SPRINGS

Tarpon Springs has scheduled a ceremony at 11 a.m. Monday at Craig Park, 5 Beekman Place. The Elks Club will hold a cookout after the ceremony.

PINELLAS PARK

The Korean War Veterans Association Suncoast Chapter 14 will hold a Memorial Day ceremony at 11 a.m. Monday at Freedom Lake Park, 9990 46th St. N, Pinellas Park.

ST. PETERSBURG

Great Explorations Museum, 1925 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg, will be celebrating summer fun in patriotic-style with activities, crafts and games throughout the museum. Veterans, retired and active duty military men and women will receive one free admission Monday with proper identification. All activities included in the cost of admission.

HILLSBOROUGH

PLANT CITY

The Norman McLeod Post 26 of the American Legion in Plant City has a Memorial Day ceremony scheduled at 11 a.m. at the post, 2207 W Baker St.

TAMPA

The Run for the Warriors on Sunday (May 29) benefits Hope For The Warriors, a national nonprofit organization that restores self, family, and hope to service members, their families, and families of the fallen through comprehensive case management and many programs. Online registration for the event, which has a 10K, 5K and one-mile walk/run, is closed but participants can still register on-site on Sunday morning from 6 a.m. to 7:15 a.m. The event is at Al Lopez Park, Shelter 313, 4810 N Himes Ave., Tampa. Opening ceremonies are at 7:15 a.m. Runners go off at 7:30 a.m.

Channelside will Light Up Tampa Bay for Memorial Day on Sunday (May 29). The event, 615 Channelside Drive, has live music, entertainment and a fireworks display. The fun starts at 6 p.m. with fireworks at 9 p.m.

Memorial Day Events | Pinellas Memorial Day | Hillsborough Memorial Day | TB Reporter

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