Manatee County Observes Memorial Day
Manatee County Government offices and libraries will be closed Monday, May 25, 2026, to commemorate Memorial Day.
All garbage, recycling, yard waste and monthly bulk collections for residents in Unincorporated Manatee County will be delayed by one day, from Monday through Friday. For example, Monday’s collection will occur on Tuesday, Tuesday’s collection will occur on Wednesday and so on. Verify your new bulk collection day by visiting the Resident Information Tool at mymanatee.org. The Lena Road Landfill also will be closed on Monday, May 25, with normal hours resuming on Tuesday, May 26.
There will be no Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) fixed route or Handy Bus service May 25. 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. County Recreation Centers, GT Bray and John H. Marble, will be open 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a modified group exercise schedule. The Aquatic Center at GT Bray will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Those looking to use the CV Walton Racquet Center must enter through the G.T. Bray Recreation Center.
The Lincoln Aquatic Center and John H. Marble Aquatic Center will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., with lap swim and family swim sessions offered from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Each aquatic center will operate in two-hour sessions throughout the day.
Manatee County also will join communities across the region in honoring the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the United States during Memorial Day observances taking place throughout the county and neighboring areas.
“Memorial Day is a solemn reminder of the cost of freedom,” said Mike Rahn, Manatee County District 4 commissioner. “We encourage our community to come together in reflection and gratitude as we honor those who gave their lives in service to our nation.”
Residents and visitors are invited to attend ceremonies, parades and community events designed to reflect, remember and pay tribute to fallen service members.
The Manatee County Veterans Council will host its annual Memorial Day ceremony at Donald L. Courtney Veterans Park, 176 Waterfront Drive in Bradenton, at 9 a.m. on Monday, May 25, and will include remarks from local leaders, patriotic presentations and a moment of remembrance.
Additional observances and events will take place throughout the region over Memorial Day weekend:
Experience the “Remembering Our Fallen” photographic war memorial exhibit, a tribute honoring U.S. service members who made the ultimate sacrifice since Sept. 11, 2001, including more than 300 from Florida. The free exhibit will be on display at Donald L. Courtney Veterans Park, 176 Waterfront Drive in Bradenton, from 12 p.m. Friday, May 22, through 6 p.m. Monday, May 25.
Celebrate America 250 by experiencing The Freedom 250 Mobile Museum at the Lakewood Ranch library May 22 to 24. The mobile museum will be in the parking lot of the library located at 16410 Rangeland Pkwy, Bradenton. It is open Noon to 5 p.m. on May 22, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 23, and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on May 24. The “Freedom Truck” coast-to-coast initiative is designed to bring immersive, interactive historical exhibits directly into communities nationwide.
The City of Anna Maria is holding a Memorial Day event at 10 a.m., May 25, at the Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.
A formal ceremony at Sarasota National Cemetery on Saturday, May 23, at 7:30 a.m. will feature a wreath-laying, guest speakers and military honors. To register as a volunteer for flag placement, go to sarasotawreaths.com.
The annual Memorial Day Parade in downtown Sarasota will begin at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 25, followed by a commemorative ceremony at J.D. Hamel Park.
SRQ VETS is hosting the 11th Annual Memorial Day 5K Hike on Saturday, May 23, to honor the fallen heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice. This event will work to unite the local veterans and civilian communities while raising funds to support SRQ VETS and their efforts to help the local veterans. The hike will start at JD Hamel War Memorial Park then over the Ringling Bridge, then back to the park for an afternoon of fun that includes a cookout, music, and inflatables. Registration starts at 8 a.m., and the hike starts at 9 a.m. JD Hamel Park is located at 199 Bayfront Dr., Sarasota.
With many veterans and service members laid to rest there, Manatee County is partnering with the City of Palmetto and the City of Bradenton for a Community Cleanup Day at Old Memphis Cemetery, located at 25th St W and Second Avenue West in Palmetto, on Saturday, May 23, beginning at 7 a.m. Volunteers and community members are invited to assist with cleanup and beautification efforts at the historic cemetery ahead of Memorial Day weekend observances.
Manatee County encourages residents to observe Memorial Day with respect and reflection, whether by attending a ceremony, volunteering in the community or taking time to remember those who have fallen.
For more information on Manatee County Government, visit mymanatee.org or contact Manatee County Government Communications at news@mymanatee.org or call (941) 745-6397 (NEWS). Follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @ManateeGov.