Two island cities — Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach — will celebrate National Arbor Day Friday, April 30.
Holmes Beach will celebrate with a ceremony at 9 a.m. at Prince Park, a pocket park behind the S&S Plaza on 53rd Street, according to city clerk Stacey Johnston.
The holiday is a celebration of trees and what they provide to the environment.
At the ceremony, an elected official will read a proclamation recognizing the holiday, then staff will plant a red cedar tree.
In Bradenton Beach, an observance will be at 9:30 a.m. at Katie Pierola Sunset Park, 2212 Gulf Drive N., where four sabal palms will be planted.
Plans include a welcome by Mayor John Chappie, former Mayor Katie Pierola and Commissioner Marilyn Maro and the reading of a proclamation by Maro; remarks by Ingrid McClellan and other members of the city’s ScenicWAVES Committee.
Additionally, there will be statements by Shawn Mayers of the Anna Maria Garden Club, Richard Andrew Larsen III of the Florida Forest Service, Jennifer Hoffman of Keep Manatee Beautiful and Bob McDuffie of Modern Woodmen of America.
— Ryan Paice and Lisa Neff