Many people anticipate a day of AMI fun, sun and surf on Memorial Day weekend.
For the island’s first responders, the holiday is one of the busiest weekends of the year.
Bradenton Beach police Chief John Cosby said the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office will collaborate with Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach law enforcement May 25-27 to deal with beach crowds, traffic congestion, parking crunches and emergencies. The MCSO also contracts to fulfill all law enforcement needs in Anna Maria.
In Bradenton Beach, Cosby said people might encounter parking challenges due to county construction projects in Cortez Beach parking lots.
To address the closure of parking at Cortez Beach, the county will open overflow parking at Coquina Beach South.
“Parking is strictly first come, first served,” said Cosby, who emphasized the need to follow parking rules or face a fine.
At the beaches, Cosby encouraged people to exercise vigilance, particularly regarding water safety, advising adults to keep an eye on children and heed lifeguard warnings.
In Holmes Beach, police Chief Bill Tokajer pledged a greater police presence to monitor beaches and parking and he also asked people to comply with regulations to avoid fines.
“We expect to have a lot of people. We expect to have a lot of traffic. We expect to have some backups down Manatee Avenue because it’s four lanes going into a two-lane,” said the chief, who likened traffic on the island to trying to fit 100 pounds of potatoes into a 5-pound bag.
“We need people to be patient,” Tokajer said.
He said motorists can go to the city’s website, holmesbeachfl.org, and follow the “find parking” prompt to see a map of approved parking spaces.
The law enforcement presence in county parks will include MCSO special response teams and mounted patrols.
And remember, no vehicles, pets grills or fires on the beaches.
Randy Warren, public information officer for the sheriff’s office, said May 16 that marine patrol units also will be on Gulf and bay waters monitoring for reckless or impaired boaters.
Memorial Day closes offices
Most government offices will be closed Monday, May 27, for Memorial Day, a federal holiday for remembrance of those who died in service to the country.
Most banking institutions and some other businesses will be closed.
The holiday also might disrupt some trash collection schedules, beginning with regular Monday pickups, which are delayed until Tuesday. Pickups throughout the week are delayed one day.
However, Manatee County Area Transit services, including the island trolley, will operate normal routes.
Also, the holiday will not impact operations at public parks, except at G.T. Bray in Bradenton, where the recreation center will be closed.
— Lisa Neff
AM to salute veterans
The city of Anna Maria will hold its annual Memorial Day observance at 10 a.m. Monday, May 27, at City Pier Park at Pine Avenue and Bay Boulevard.
The Memorial Day Symphony will feature the Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra, a salute to veterans and spouses and a high school ROTC honor guard presenting the colors.
For more, call the city at 941-708-6130.
— Lisa Neff