Veterans Day celebrates and honors all those who have served in the U.S. military — both in wartime and peacetime. This year, the federal holiday falls on Tuesday, Nov. 11, and many parades, ceremonies and other events are scheduled to mark the occasion in Southwest Florida.
Here are some ways you can celebrate our U.S. military veterans in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs and the rest of Southwest Florida for Veterans Day week:
FORT MYERS VETERANS DAY EVENTS
Wave of Freedom Veterans Day Boat Parade
Decorate your boat and join veterans and their families in this patriotic boat parade traveling along the Caloosahatchee River. Plus a barbecue lunch, an opening ceremony and live music. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11. Free. MarineMax, 14030 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. 481-8200 or tinyurl.com/5n8tmpx2
Vet Fest at Lakes Regional Library
Celebrate veterans at this free event with authors, food trucks, activities, local resources for vets and more. 1-4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13. Free. Lakes Regional Library, 15290 Bass Road, south Fort Myers. 533-4000 or facebook.com/LeeCountyLibrarySystem
CAPE CORAL VETERANS DAY EVENTS
Cape Coral Veterans Day Parade
This community parade is organized by the city’s Parks and Recreation Department and other local supporters. 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8. Free. The parade travels west from Cape Coral Street to Chester Street on Cape Coral Parkway in downtown Cape Coral. CapeCoral.gov/VeteransDay
Midpoint Madness Veterans Day 5K Run/Walk
The Midpoint Bridge will be closed for three hours (6-9 p.m.) for the annual event. Join hundreds of runners and walkers for the 3.1-mile race. It starts at the base of the Midpoint Bridge on Colonial Boulevard, travels west on the bridge and then returns east to Royal Palm Square. Awards and festivities will be held at Fort Myers YMCA. All proceeds benefit the YMCA’s financial assistance program. 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11. Registration fee is $35 ($20 for veterans). During the bridge closure, drivers can use the Cape Coral Bridge or the U.S. 41 and Business 41 bridges. runsignup.com/Race/FL/FortMyers/MIDPOINTMADNESSVeteransDay5K
BONITA SPRINGS AND ESTERO VETERANS DAY EVENTS
Estero Veterans Day Celebration
This annual patriotic event includes live music from the Estero High School Band and New Horizons Choir, singer/emcee Mark Sanders, a classic car and military vehicle show, free hot dogs, face painting, giveaways and a guest speaker, Florida Rep. Mike Giallombardo. Bring your own blankets and lawn chairs. 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 8. Free. Presented by the Village of Estero. Estero Community Park, 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd., Estero. estero-fl.gov/events/veterans-day-celebration-2
Bonita Veterans Day Ceremony
The City of Bonita Springs holds its annual Veterans Day event, including musical tributes, the Aisle of Flags, a 21-gun salute, the posting of colors and the day’s guest speaker, retired Col. Martin Spann of the U.S. Army and Marines, whose many military awards include a Purple Heart and three Bronze Stars. Organized by the City of Bonita Springs and the city’s Veterans Advisory Committee. 9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11. Free. Old 41 Road will be closed from Wilson to Childers streets from about 8-11 a.m. Riverside Park, 10450 Reynolds St., downtown Bonita Springs. 949-6262 or cityofbonitasprings.org
NAPLES VETERANS DAY EVENTS
Yellow Ribbon Family Day at Mercato
This pre-Veterans Day celebration honors veterans and military families with inspiring speeches, games, raffles, a military exhibit, a science fair, a bounce house and more. 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9. Free. Lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged. The event lawn at Mercato, 9118 Strada Place, North Naples. experiencemercato.com/events
Naples Concert Band
Singer Heather Ivy joins the Naples Concert Band for a concert of patriotic music. Food trucks will also be there. Bring your own chair. 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9. Free. Cambier Park, 755 Eighth Ave. S., downtown Naples. facebook.com/NaplesConcertBand
Naples Velo Veterans Day Ride
This 28-mile bicycle ride honors all those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. If riders are riding in memory or recognition of a veteran, they’re encouraged to display that person’s initials on their arm or on a note pinned to their jersey pockets. 8 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 9. Free. RSVP by Thursday, Nov. 6. A light breakfast will be offered afterward at My Naples Kitchen. Organized by Naples Velo and sponsored by Outdoor Lighting Perspectives. Helmets required. Riders will meet in front of the Girl Scouts building, 601 Park St., Naples. RSVP by emailing [email protected].
Veterans History Museum grand opening
Formerly known as America’s Military and 1st Responders Museum, the Collier County museum opens with a new name and location. The free museum showcases hundreds of artifacts tied to 250 years of America’s wars, including letters, drawings, weapons, uniforms, medals and an original Betsy Ross American flag. Grand opening starts at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, on Veterans Day. Free admission. The event includes a ribbon cutting, speeches and veteran-led tours. The Museum is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Veterans History Museum inside the County Museum Building, 3331 Tamiami Trail E., Naples. VeteransHistoryMuseumNaples.org
Collier County Veterans Day ceremony
The annual event includes a wreath-laying ceremony, a civilian patriot awards ceremony, music by a Naples Concert Band brass quintet, a welcome by Naples Mayor Teresa Heitmann, an address by Rev. Tommy Burns of New Hope Ministries, singers Steve Smith and Rev. Sheila Zellers, and keynote speaker and veteran Kris Anne Hall. The event is organized by the Collier County Veterans Council. 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11. Free. Cambier Park, 755 Eighth Ave. S., Naples. 270-2432 or collier-county-veterans-council.org
Veterans Day Luncheon at Naples Italian American Foundation
This annual event includes a buffet lunch of “classic comfort food” and a recognition of Collier County Commissioner Rick LoCastro, a retired colonel in the U.S. Air Force. Deadline for reservations is Nov. 6. 1:30-4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11. $25-$35. Naples Italian American Foundation, 7035 Airport-Pulling Road, Naples. 597-5210 or niafoundation.org
BABCOCK RANCH VETERANS DAY EVENTS
Veterans Day Golf Cart Parade and Celebration
The annual parade features golf carts decorated in red, white and blue. Anyone can join the parade by signing up in advance. It will be followed by a Veterans Day celebration, which includes a ceremony, food trucks and a car show. The parade starts at 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, at the Field House parking lot, followed by the celebration from 5-9 p.m. at Founders Square. Free. Founders Square in Babcock Ranch, 42850 Crescent Loop, Charlotte County. babcockranchliving.com
MARCO ISLAND VETERANS DAY EVENTS
Island Veterans Day ceremony
The annual event is organized by American Legion Post 404. It features patriotic music, aircraft flyovers, a flag ceremony and several speakers. Bring your own lawn chair. 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11. Near the bandshell at Veterans Community Park, 901 Park Ave., Marco Island. 642-0575…