Contact:  Jason Bartolone, Communications Specialist   941-928-3988; jason.bartolone@sarasotafl.gov

Sarasota, FL:  This year’s downtown Memorial Day Parade has been canceled due to the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency, organizers announced Monday.

The Sarasota Patriotic Observance Committee, in consultation with the City of Sarasota, canceled the annual celebration in the interest of public health and safety.

“Although we won’t be able gather together this year, we hope the community will still join us in remembering the sacrifices of our beloved veterans and our fallen brothers and sisters this Memorial Day,” said Dan Kennedy, Patriotic Observance Committee chairman. “We’ll now turn our efforts to preparing for the Veterans Day Parade and Ceremony, and we look forward to Sarasota joining us this fall for an even greater celebration.”

For more information, contact Dan Kennedy at 941-812-5406.

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About the City of Sarasota:  Distinguished by U.S. News and World Report as the 18^th Best Place to Live in the U.S., the City of Sarasota is a diverse community located on Florida’s Suncoast with 56,000 year-round residents, several internationally recognized cultural arts venues, stunning sunsets along Lido Beach, a 45-hole municipal golf course at the historic Bobby Jones Golf Club, and Major League spring training baseball with the Baltimore Orioles.  Learn more about us at www.SarasotaFL.Gov