It’s Memorial Day weekend in Orlando, offering many a three days to mark the unofficial start to summer in Florida with cookouts, beach excursions and social gatherings.
Read more Mexican authorities block Royal Caribbean’s new ‘Perfect Day’ project
The holiday represents a time to remember America’s fallen heroes of the armed services and visit a war memorial or pay respects to deceased loved ones who were service members.
Here are ways to honor and celebrate the holiday weekend in Central Florida.
Ocoee Memorial Day Ceremony
The City of Ocoee honors fallen soldiers at its Memorial Day ceremony, which features retired Army Lt. Elizabeth Bledsoe as the keynote speaker. The event at Ocoee Lakeshore Center also features the Ocoee Police Department Honor Guard, taps, the national anthem and refreshments after the ceremony. The ceremony begins at 11 a.m. May 21 at 125 N. Lakeshore Drive in Ocoee. More information: 407-905-3100 or ocoee.org
Eustis Veterans Memorial Unveiling Ceremony
The City of Eustis and the Eustis High School AFJROTC will unveil the new Veterans Memorial at Greenwood Cemetery. The program includes a presentation of colors, the national anthem, an invocation, a memorial dedication, wreath placement, remarks from Mayor Emily Lee, a tribute and a moment of silence. The event starts at 9 a.m. May 22 at 220 Haselton St. in Eustis. More information: eustis.org
Orlando VA Healthcare System Memorial Day Ceremony
The Orlando VA Healthcare System invites veterans, families, staff and the community to attend a ceremony with keynote speaker Rear Adm. (retired) Denise Hinton, a leader in public health and military service. The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. at the outdoor amphitheater located at 13800 Veterans Way in Orlando. More information: ,va.gov
Orlando’s Memorial Day Commemoration Ceremony
The City of Orlando invites the community to Greenwood Cemetery for a Memorial Day Commemoration Ceremony to honor the men and women of the United States Armed Forces. The event is at 6 p.m. May 22 at 1603 Greenwood St. in Orlando. More information: orlando.gov
Orange County’s Memorial Day Salute
Orange County gathers the community at Cypress Grove Park to honor all veterans with a patriotic Memorial Day salute. The ceremony features a parachute team display, patriotic music, pinning of veterans, a guest speaker and a 21-gun salute. The prelude begins at 9:45 a.m. and the ceremony at 10 a.m. May 23 at 290 Holden Ave. in Orlando. More information: ocfl.net
Clermont’s Memorial Day Weekend
The City of Clermont hosts the Memorial Vietnam Traveling Wall this weekend and will be on display at the Clermont Arts and Recreation Center beginning on Saturday, May 23. On Sunday, join for Clermont’s Memorial Day observance program starting at 11 a.m. May 25 at 3700 S. U.S. Highway 27 in Clermont. More information: clermontfl.gov
Orange County War Memorial Commemoration Ceremony
The Orange County Mayor’s Veterans Advisory Council will host its annual War Memorial Commemoration Ceremony to honor service members from Orange County who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. Their names will be inscribed on the Orange County War Memorial. The event is at 8 a.m. May 25 at the Orange County Courthouse, Jury Room 180, at 425 N. Orange Ave. in Orlando. More information: ocfl.net
Winter Garden’s Memorial Day Community Celebration
“A Service of Remembrance: Honoring Our Nation’s Fallen Heroes” at Veterans Memorial Park honors local veterans who gave their lives during times of war. Presented by Hugh T. Gregory American Legion Post 63 and City of Winter Garden, the event includes a roll call of veterans, placement of wreaths and patriotic songs to pay homage to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. The event begins at 8:30 a.m. May 25 at 420 S. Park Ave. in Winter Garden. More information: cwgdn.com
Woodlawn Memorial Park Memorial Day Service
Woodlawn Memorial Park and Funeral Home presents its annual Memorial Day Service with an open invitation for community members to gather and remember those who fought for America’s freedoms. The program, which includes taps, a tribute and a flag presentation, begins at 10 a.m. May 25 at 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Road in Gotha. More information: facebook.com
Mount Dora’s Memorial Day Ceremony
The City of Mount Dora invites the community to Pine Forest Cemetery to honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to the United States. The event includes a presentation of colors by the Umatilla High School Army JROTC, the national anthem, taps and featured speaker Cmdr. Laurie Turner, representing VFW Post 8087. The event begins at 10 a.m. May 25 at 1699 N. Donnelly St. in Mount Dora. More information: mountdora.gov
Windermere’s Memorial Day Observance
Join the Town of Windermere and the Rotary Club of Windermere for a patriotic ceremony, a presentation of the colors, a tribute to fallen heroes, the national anthem, taps and words of remembrance. The event begins at 10 a.m. May 25 at 520 Main St. in Windermere. More information: town.windermere.fl.us
Apopka’s Memorial Day Service
Join the City of Apopka and the VFW Post 10147 to honor the lives and legacy of fallen military heroes at the Veterans Memorial. The guest speaker will be Senior Pastor David Schoejis of First Baptist Church of Apopka, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 24 years. Following the ceremony, everyone is invited to the VFW Post 10147/Apopka Community Center for hamburgers and hot dogs prepared by Scout Troop 211. The event begins at 11 a.m. May 25 at 141 S. Edgewood Drive in Apopka. More information: facebook.com
Read more Score Samsung’s luxury smart appliances for as much as $1,700 off this Memorial Day
Sanford’s Memorial Day Remembrance Event
The City of Sanford hosts a Memorial Day remembrance event at Veterans Memorial Park to honor those who gave their lives for their country. Visit beginning at 9 a.m. to see restored military vehicles, fire trucks and law enforcement equipment. Join the event at 10 a.m. May 25 at 110 W. Seminole Blvd. in Sanford. More information: facebook.com
Oviedo Veteran’s Memorial Tribute
American Legion Post 243 in Oviedo hosts a Memorial Day Remembrance at Oviedo Cemetery (118 Aulin Ave. in Oviedo) beginning at 11 a.m. May 25. At 7 p.m., visit Center Lake Park (299 Center Lake Lane in Oviedo) for a brief taps ceremony. More information: oviedolegion.org
Remember & Honor – Memorial Day 5K
This walk and fun run takes place on the grounds of The Ritz-Carlton and J.W. Marriott Grande Lakes. Registration costs $75 for the event beginning at 7 a.m. May 23 at 4012 Central Florida Parkway in Orlando. More information: runsignup.com
Memorial 4 Day Weekend
Promenade at Sunset Walk Orlando hosts a four-day Memorial Day weekend celebration with live music, a Saturday night car show, street performers and artisan markets, plus food and beverage specials. Festivities take place daily May 22-25 at 3251 Margaritaville Blvd. in Kissimmee. More information: sunsetwalk.com
Memorial Day Weekend Rock ‘N’ Roll Concert and Car Show
The City of Casselberry brings a “Rock ‘N’ Roll Concert & Car Show” to the public during Memorial Day weekend at Lake Concord Park. Southern Rock Revival will headline the concert, which includes openers Pop Punk Dad Rock and About Tuesday. The city will honor those who died in military service with a color guard display. The event is 4-9 p.m. May 23 at 95 Triplet Lake Drive in Casselberry. More information: casselberry.org
Doc Lucky’s Golden Mile
Lucky’s Lake Swim hosts a mile-long swimming race with cash prizes for the top three overall finishers in male and female divisions. Registration is $75 for the event at 8 a.m. May 23 at 6645 Lake Cane Drive in Orlando. More information: luckyslakeswim.com
19th Annual Hurricane Party Music Festival
The 19th Annual Hurricane Party Music Festival takes over downtown Sanford with multiple stages and more than 30 bands, plus art, vendors and food trucks. The event is “surging into 19 years of sunshine and ska in Historic Downtown Sanford.” General admission tickets are $45 and VIP tickets are $85 each (before fees). The festival is from noon-2 a.m. May 23 in downtown Sanford. More information: facebook.com
Florida State Parks free admission
During Memorial Day weekend, Florida State Parks offer free admission. Take advantage May 23-25. Find a park at floridastateparks.org
Kissimmee Collectorfest
Florida Toy Shows presents an event with more than 20,000 square feet of space and more than 100 vendor tables. Find toys, games, comics and more. Admission is $15 from 9-noon and $10 from noon-4 p.m. May 23 at 1875 Silver Spur Lane in Kissimmee. More information: facebook.com
Orlando Carnival Downtown
Celebrate Caribbean culture with several days of festivities. The weekend kicks off with Carnival on the Runway, a fashion show, from 6-19 p.m. May 22 at CAP Village within Orlando Fashion Square Mall for $20 plus fees. Attend Orlando Carnival Downtown “Jouvert” starting at 8 a.m. May 23 ($41.75 admission) at Camping World Stadium, then enjoy the free Pantastic Steelpan Jamboree from 3-10 p.m. May 23 at 437 N. Terry Ave. in Orlando. The event culminates in the Parade and Concert beginning at 1 p.m. May 24 at Camping World Stadium ($29.90 admission). More information: orlandocarnivaldowntown.com
Orlando Fringe Festival
Orlando Fringe Festival brings performing art enthusiasts plenty of shows to enjoy during the holiday weekend before the event concludes its in-person festivities on May 25. After buying a $10 Fringe button, choose from dozens of shows (free-$15 each) taking place at venues within Loch Haven Park’s Orlando Shakes and around town. For more information, read Orlando Sentinel Fringe reviews or visit orlandofringe.org.
Find me @PConnPie on Instagram or send me an email: [email protected]. Stay up to date with our latest travel, arts and events coverage by subscribing to our newsletters at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters.
Read more Miss Manners: I housesat for my neighbor and got berated for the favor