Jacob Ogles
The reopening of Florida non-essential business doesn’t mean leaders are anxious for Memorial Day crowds. Florida Politics rounded up those activities canceled as the state continues to face the COVID-19 pandemic, many have been replaced with remote alternatives, as well as those going ahead as scheduled.
Bay Pines VA Healthcare System: Virtual
The Tampa Bay-based facility will host a virtual ceremony on its Facebook page at 10 a.m. Monday, according to TBN Weekly.
Beal Memorial Ceremony, Fort Walton Beach: Canceled, Virtual
While the ceremony has not been canceled, organizers encouraged individuals to stay home and instead check the Beal Memorial Veterans Tribute Tower Facebook page at 9 a.m. on Memorial Day, the Northwest Florida Daily News reports.
Flags For Fallen Vets, Bushnell: Canceled
The event at Florida National Cemetery has been canceled, according to Villages News. The cemetery at the moment has limitations on the number of individuals allowed at burials and cannot accommodate crowds.
Island H2O Live, Orlando: Open
The water park attached to Margaritaville Resort Orlando will open on Saturday after being closed for months over the coronavirus, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Jacksonville Jazz Festival: Canceled
The five-day event planned over Memorial Day Weekend has been canceled this year, but WJCT-TV announced a virtual Jazz Festival Weekend will continue, according to News4Jax. That will include broadcasts of such greats as Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock.
City of Largo: Virtual
The Largo Honor Guard, Police and Mayor Woody Brown will host a virtual ceremony Monday at 7 p.m. on public access TV and the city Facebook page, TBN Weekly reports.
Miami Beach: Closed
While Gov. Ron DeSantis gave the okay for Miami-Dade County and municipalities within to reopen this week, Miami Beach will keep its beaches closed through the holiday weekend, reports WFSU.
Oldsmar Memorial Day: Canceled
The city’s annual festivities were canceled entirely this year over the pandemic.
Pinellas Beaches: Maybe
The plan right now is for beaches to remain open for Memorial Day weekend as scheduled, but Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said he will turn people away if crowds begin to swell, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
Santa Rosa County ceremony: Canceled
The event in Milton was called off, the Pensacola News Journal reports. County Commissioners honored military sacrifices at a commission meeting instead.
Sarasota Memorial Day Parade: Canceled
The Sarasota Patriotic Observance Committee announced in April it will not hold the annual event, and will dedicate resources instead to an upcoming Veterans Day Parade and ceremony, SRQ Media reports.
Sparkman’s Wharf, Tampa: Open
The downtown area will reopen Tuesday and remain open through Memorial Day weekend. In fact, while the area is normally closed Mondays, it will stay open from noon to 8 p.m. as part of a celebration, according to Creative Loafing.
Veterans Memorial Park ceremony, Pensacola: Canceled
No formal ceremony will take place this year, but names and photos of soldiers are being posted and honored virtually on the Veterans Memorial Park Facebook page.
Virtual Honor Our Heroes 5K Run, Oldsmar Cares: Virtual
Who says 5K runs have to be done in unison? Oldsmar Cares will present its run on Saturday. Individuals can register their run at [email protected] and later pick up a T-shirt at Tampa Bay Brewing Company’s Westchase location, TBN Weekly reports.
Vacation Rentals
The following counties have had plans approved to allow short-term vacation rentals ahead of Memorial Day weekend: Bay, Citrus, Clay, Charlotte, Collier, Dixie, Duval, Escambia, Flagler, Franklin, Gilchrist, Gulf, Lee, Lafayette, Levy, Manatee, Nassau, Okaloosa, Osceola, Pinellas, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Sumter, St. Johns, Wakulla, Walton.
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Email [email protected] with more Florida cancellations and events.
