MANATEE COUNTY, FL (May 15, 2025) – Manatee County Government offices, Manatee County Library and the Lena Road Landfill will be closed Monday, May 26, 2025, to commemorate Memorial Day.
As part of the County’s commemoration, a special event will take place on Friday, May 23, featuring the unveiling of a new interactive kiosk honoring fallen local service members and the official dedication of a portion of a local roadway as "Gold Star Families Memorial Highway."
“This is an opportunity to honor those who’ve paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom,” said District 4 Commissioner and U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Mike Rahn.
All trash, recycling and yard waste collections for that week will be postponed one day, from Tuesday through Saturday for residents in unincorporated Manatee.
There will be no Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) fixed route or Handy Bus service May 26. The Anna Maria Island Trolley will operate normal daily routes, and the Manatee Avenue Beach Express will operate on a holiday schedule.
Manatee County parks and beaches will be open to the public. Manatee County and Buffalo Creek Golf Courses will be open. Manatee County’s natural preserves will remain open. G.T. Bray Recreation Center will be open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., with all check-ins occurring at the Recreation Center and a modified group exercise schedule. The pool will be open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. After 1 p.m., access to the pool will be through the aquatics gate.
Citizens are encouraged to take part in area Memorial Day observances, including the following:
- Gold Star Memorial Kiosk & Highway Sign Unveiling Ceremony
9:30 a.m.
Friday, May 23
Manatee County
1112 Manatee Ave. W.
Bradenton
Manatee County will unveil a permanent kiosk to honor Gold Star Families (family of a U.S. military member who has died while serving in the armed forces) and dedicate a portion of Buckeye Road from US 41 to Interstate 75 as "Gold Star Families Memorial Highway."
- 10th Annual Sarasota Memorial Day Flag Placement
7:30 a.m.
Saturday, May 24
Sarasota National Cemetery
9810 State Road 72
Sarasota
Families will place their loved one's flag at 7:50 a.m.; remaining flags will be placed beginning at 8 a.m.
- Bradenton’s Annual Memorial Day Service
9:00 a.m.
Monday, May 26
Don Courtney Veterans' Monument Park
176 Waterfront Drive
Bradenton
Recognizes our Veterans who all gave some and some who gave all that we may live in freedom. The Park is located on the Riverwalk behind Manatee Memorial Hospital, Bradenton.
- Memorial Day Patriotic Symphony Salute
10: 00 a.m.
Monday, May 26
Anna Maria City Pier Park
103 N. Bay Blvd.
Anna Maria
The annual Memorial Day Observance and Concert at the Anna Maria City Pier starts at 10 a.m. The 90-minute program is free to attend and includes a flag presentation by the U.S. Marine Corps.
- National Moment of Remembrance
3:00 p.m.
Monday, May 26
This annual event that asks Americans, wherever they are at 3:00 pm local time, to pause for one minute to remember those who have died in military service to the United States. TAPS Across America encourages all who are interested to play TAPS at 3:00 pm.