Valdez Veterans Alliance Services (VVAS) will host its annual Marine Corps Birthday Ball and Fundraiser on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at the Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa, bringing together veterans, military families, and community supporters to celebrate 251 years of Marine Corps tradition while raising funds for veterans in need.
This year’s event will benefit Our Next Mission, an initiative supporting veterans and their families. The celebration is open to the public, with proceeds supporting the organization’s efforts to assist those who have served in the military.
The evening will feature an official Marine Corps birthday ceremony, reception, dinner, live entertainment, dancing, and an after-party. Fundraising activities will include a live auction, silent auction, and raffle baskets.
The Jesse Daniels Band will provide live entertainment throughout the celebration. Melinda Drake will deliver a special performance of the national anthem.
The United States Marine Corps was established on November 10, 1775, and its birthday is commemorated annually through formal ceremonies honoring the service’s history, traditions, and generations of Marines. The annual birthday ball remains one of the Marine Corps’ most recognized traditions.
The Palmetto celebration will take place just days after Veterans Day, providing an additional opportunity for Manatee County residents to recognize military service while contributing to programs supporting veterans and their families.
Doors will open at 5 p.m., with the event beginning at 6 p.m. at the Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa, 600 U.S. Highway 41, Palmetto.
Tickets are $350 per person, and black-tie attire or dress blues are encouraged. Community members and businesses can also support the fundraiser through sponsorship opportunities.
Tickets and sponsorship information are available through the Valdez Veterans Alliance Services website.
The annual celebration combines military tradition with community fundraising, bringing attention to the continuing needs of veterans and their families throughout the region.
