Orlando Sentinel

What to do this holiday weekend

- Patrick Connolly Central Florida Explorer

It’s Memorial Day weekend in Orlando, offering many a threeday holiday to mark the unofficial start to summer in Florida. The holiday represents a time when people will gather for cookouts, beach excursions and social gatherings.

On Memorial Day, take a moment to remember America’s fallen heroes of the armed services, the true intention behind the holiday. Visit a war memorial or pay respects to deceased loved ones who were service members.

Here are ways to celebrate the holiday weekend in Central Florida.

The City of Orlando brings a Memorial Day Ceremony to the community to remember veterans, military service members and those who lost their lives in service to our nation at Greenwood Cemetery. Attend the remembranc­e from 6:30-7 p.m. May 27 at 1603 Greenwood St. in Orlando. More informatio­n: orlando.gov

The City of Sanford hosts a Memorial Day Remembranc­e Ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park to honor those who gave their lives for their country. Take time to honor the purpose of Memorial Day at 10 a.m. May 30 at 110 W. Seminole Blvd. in Sanford. More informatio­n: sanfordfl.gov

Clermont brings a Memorial Day Celebratio­n with a guest speaker, musical tributes, a rifle salute, military displays and more. Attend the ceremony at 10 a.m. May 30 at 330 Third St. in Clermont. More informatio­n: clermontfl.gov

Woodlawn Memorial Park presents its 72nd Annual Memorial Day Services with an open invitation for community members to gather and remember those who fought for America’s freedoms. Honored guest speakers will be in attendance. The gathering begins at 10 a.m. May 30 at 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Road in Gotha. More informatio­n: facebook.com Tuffy’s Bottle Shop hosts a “Hurricane Party” featuring live performanc­es from The Smoking

Turn to Connolly,

Jackets, The Strongback­s, Concrete and Country and more. The show is free and open to those ages 21 and older. Find music, drinks and merriment 5-11:45 p.m. May 28 at 200 S. Myrtle Ave. in Sanford. More informatio­n: tuffyscide­r. com

Boxi Park Lake Nona

provides live music, kid’s activities and barbecue food to celebrate Memorial Day. Find activities and specials all weekend, plus live entertainm­ent. The Memorial Day Monday event begins at noon May 30 at 6877 Tavistock Lakes Blvd. in Orlando. More informatio­n: boxiparkla­kenona.com

ICON Park brings a variety of specials available to active and retired military members including discounted food. The first 100 active and retired military members who visit the Museum of Illusions on Memorial Day will receive a free gift, plus year-round discounted admission. The Wheel offers a free ticket to all active and retired military personnel and a 50 percent discount to their accompanyi­ng family members. Explore these and other discounts throughout Memorial Day weekend at 8375 Internatio­nal Drive in Orlando. More informatio­n: iconparkor­lando.com

Toby Keith and Gov. Ron DeSantis

will headline the Heroes Honor Festival taking over the Daytona Internatio­nal Speedway this weekend. The event honors Vietnam War veterans and will also feature Justin Moore,

Craig Morgan and guests of honor. General admission tickets start at $79. The festival opens at 6 p.m. May 27 and 10 a.m. May 28 at 1801 W. Internatio­nal Speedway Blvd. in Daytona Beach. More informatio­n: heroeshono­rfestival.com

Orlando Fringe Festival

brings performing art enthusiast­s plenty of shows to enjoy during the holiday weekend before the event concludes its in-person festivitie­s on May 30. After buying a $10 Fringe button, choose from dozens of shows taking

place at venues within Loch Haven Park’s Orlando Shakes and around town. For more informatio­n, read Matthew J. Palm’s reviews of Fringe shows or visit orlandofri­nge.org.

Skyline Festival is back offering more than 30 artists on three stages at this Orlando Amphitheat­er dance-music festival. Explore live music on Friday and Saturday night. Single-day tickets start at $69.95 and two-day passes start at $109.95. Find the festivitie­s 5 p.m.-midnight May 27-28 at 4603 W.

Colonial Drive in Orlando. More informatio­n: orlando. skylinefes­t.com

Promenade at Sunset Walk Orlando hosts a four-day Memorial Day weekend celebratio­n with live music, a car show, street performers and food and beverage specials. Festivitie­s take place daily May 27-30 at 3251 Margaritav­ille Blvd. in Kissimmee. More informatio­n: sunsetwalk.com

The City of Casselberr­y

brings a “Rock N’ Blues Concert & Car Show” to

the public during Memorial Day weekend. Rock and blues guitarist Tinsley Ellis will entertain attendees, who can browse dozens of classic cars. The city will honor those who died in military service with a color guard display. The event is 4-9 p.m. May 28 at 95 Triplet Lake Drive in Casselberr­y. More informatio­n: casselberr­y.org

Did we miss any Memorial Day weekend events? Find me @PConnPie on Twitter and Instagram or send me an email: pconnolly@ orlandosen­tinel.com.

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 ?? RICARDO RAMIREZ BUXEDA/ORLANDO SENTINEL ?? Veterans graves are adorned with US Flags for Veterans Day at the Eatonville Memorial Garden Cemetery.
RICARDO RAMIREZ BUXEDA/ORLANDO SENTINEL Veterans graves are adorned with US Flags for Veterans Day at the Eatonville Memorial Garden Cemetery.
 ?? JOE BURBANK/ORLANDO SENTINEL FILE ?? Members of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard prepare for a rifle volley during the 71st Annual Woodlawn Memorial Day Service at the cemetery in Gotha in 2021.
JOE BURBANK/ORLANDO SENTINEL FILE Members of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard prepare for a rifle volley during the 71st Annual Woodlawn Memorial Day Service at the cemetery in Gotha in 2021.
 ?? RICARDO RAMIREZ BUXEDA/ ORLANDO SENTINEL ?? The Wheel and other attraction­s at Icon Park offer discounts on Memorial Day.
RICARDO RAMIREZ BUXEDA/ ORLANDO SENTINEL The Wheel and other attraction­s at Icon Park offer discounts on Memorial Day.

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