“The land of the free and the home of the brave.”
Every year, on the last Monday in May, we honor the men and women who have lost their lives serving in our country’s armed forces. The bravery, selflessness, courage, and ultimately sacrifice of these men and women is most definitely worth remembering and celebrating.
Most of us celebrate the long weekend hanging by the pool and grilling hot dogs and hamburgers with family and friends. However, in South Florida, we like to take it up a notch. From meaningful memorial services, all-day beach parties, lively concerts, to patriotic drink specials – here are the top things to do for Memorial Day in Palm Beach and Broward.
Great American Beach Party
Fort Lauderdale Beach | 300 S. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd.
Looking for fun in the sun with the family? The 9th annual Great American Beach Party has got you covered. This infamous patriotic event is being held on Saturday, May 25 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at A1A and Las Olas Boulevard.
Kick off your long Memorial Day weekend with live music, vintage cars, unique art, outstanding entertainment, and kid-friendly fun. Seven bands are scheduled to perform on two stages throughout the day treating crowds to a variety of rock ‘n’ roll, country, funk, dance favorites, and more. This event is full of music and dancing,face painting,hula-hoop, limbo and Twister contests, water balloon tosses, beach water slides and bounce houses, a corn-hole tournament, life-size board games, along with Florida wildlife exhibits.
Most importantly, this patriotic beach party a honors our servicemen with a free-fall parachute jump and tribute to the U.S. Armed Forces by the SOCOM Para-Commandos. The Para-Commandos will skydive from 12,500 feet over the Atlantic Ocean and land on targets positioned in the sand at Las Olas Boulevard and A1A. Grab the kids and check it out!
Memorial Day Boca Raton
Boca Raton Cemetery | 449 SW 4th Avenue
Are you looking for a more traditional, commemorative celebration? The city of Boca Raton is holding its annual Memorial Day service Monday May 25th from 9am-10am in the Boca Raton Cemetery. This year’s festivities include features by Veteran groups, City officials, music by the Fort Lauderdale Highlanders, drills by Boca Raton Community High School NJROTC, and the Boca Raton Police and Fire Honor Guard.
Head over to Mizner Park as the city continues the celebration with a free concert under the stars from 7pm-9pm. The best part – the City of Boca Raton is once again teaming up with Forgotten Soldiers Outreach, a local non-profit, to offer an area where attendees can write a letter to a soldier and where goods may be donated to create “We Care” packages to be sent to deployed soldiers.
Roar & Pour : Palm Beach Zoo
1301 Summit Blvd. | West Palm
Okay so maybe this event isn’t as patriotic as you’d expect, but who doesn’t enjoy live music, exotic animals, and alcohol? Roar and Pour is an event held after hours at the Palm Beach Zoo, the last Saturday of every month from May-August and this kickoff couldn’t be more appropriate!
The Summer Grill opens at 5pm serving up burgers and hot dogs, the Tiki Bar also opens at 5pm with beer and wine, and the Absolute Queen Tribute Band plays from 6:30pm-9pm. Lions, tigers, live music, and BEERS, Oh My! – we don’t think it gets more American that that! Don’t forget to look for awesome up-close animal encounters and Zookeeper talks.
Bokamper’s Heroes Tribute
3115 NE 32nd Ave. | Fort Lauderdale
Bokamper’s has been celebrating Memorial Day all month long and it’s absolutely amazing. Designating the entire month of May to pay “Tribute to Our Heroes”, Bokamper’s took donations for message cards, Memorial Day koozies, and to buy a Veteran a beer (to be served on Memorial Day).
On Memorial Day, May 27 at 6pm, Bokamper’s Ft. Lauderdale is hosting its Fifth Annual Remembrance Heroes Tribute. The Memorial Day Ceremony will feature special guests, Kim ‘Bo’ Bokamper, Honor Flight South Florida & Veterans, Katie Sheahan, Police Pipe & Drum Corps of Florida, Fort Lauderdale Police Honor Guard, Project Courage Foundation, JROTC Pompano Beach High School Honor Guard Color Guard, Military Personnel & Vehicles, US Army Reserve Fort Lauderdale Unit & Combat Engineering Group, Nova Singers & Nova Southeastern University & more for a patriotic tribute.
Leaving no stone unturned; Bokampers’ guests will have a variety of opportunities to participate from May 1 – May 31 at all Bokampers’ locations in South Florida. This is a fun for all ceremony with special guest, veterans and friends alike. This sports bar is donating all proceeds to Honor Flight South Florida.
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