The city of Anna Maria is preparing a double shot of tributes to cap off May.
Anna Maria’s Memorial Day and Centennial Celebration — a blend of solemn tribute and civic celebration — will be 10 a.m.-noon Monday, May 29, at City Pier Park, 103 N. Bay Blvd.
The day will begin with the city’s Memorial Day Patriotic Symphony Salute, which will run about 45 minutes, and honor fallen veterans, attending veterans, active service members and their spouses or significant others.
An orchestra will perform patriotic music and the military service song of each branch of the U.S. military.
Afterward, the city will host a Centennial Celebration, observing the 100-year anniversary since incorporation in 1923.
The celebration will feature 1920s music, the cutting of an anniversary cake, as well as fun and interesting facts about the city’s early days from the Anna Maria Island Historical Society.
Longtime islander Tom Aposporos will act as master of ceremonies and talk about the city’s creation and its first mayor, Mitch Davis.
The city has posted commemorative flags for the event on light posts along Gulf Drive and Pine Avenue, alternating the commemorative flags with U.S. flags.
People can purchase a commemorative flag for $58.27 by calling city hall, 941-708-6130, ext. 121.
— Ryan Paice
Memorial Day closes offices
Most government offices will be closed Monday, May 29, for Memorial Day, a federal holiday for remembrance of those who died in military service to the country.
Most banking institutions and some other businesses will be closed.
The holiday also may disrupt some trash collection schedules, beginning with regular Monday pickups, which are delayed until Tuesday.
Manatee County Area Transit will operate the fare-free island trolley, as well as the beach shuttle, but will not operate other fixed routes or Handy Bus services.
Also, the holiday will not impact operations at public parks, except the G.T. Bray recreation center in Bradenton will be closed.
