ST. PETERSBURG, FL (November 8, 2017) – The city of St. Petersburg, select museums, Sunken Gardens, and PSTA show gratitude for veterans and active military personnel for the Veterans Day holiday with special activities, discounted admission and free bus rides.
St. Petersburg hosts its fourth annual Veterans Day Celebration Saturday at 8 a.m. in Williams Park, corner of Fourth Street and First Avenue North, by presenting two local “2017 Honored Veteran” Awards to Carrie W. Nero and Charles Claybaker, both U.S. military veterans. The event is free and open to the public. This is the second year that residents have nominated the veterans being recognized.
Select St. Petersburg museums and Sunken Gardens will also honor veterans and active military for their service with special activities and discounted admission:
The Dali Museum, One Dali Blvd., offers complimentary admission both Friday, November 10, and on Veterans Day for all veterans and active duty military members with ID, accompanied by one guest. Special Friday activities include an 11 a.m. wish reading ceremony in the Avant Garden; volunteers and staff will read a selection of wishes left during the year on the Wish Tree. Visitors are invited to leave a wish of gratitude and write letters to service members and veterans to honor their service both days. www.thedali.org.
Veterans and active military with ID will also receive free admission to the St. Petersburg Museum of History, 335 2nd Ave. NE, where they may view Signs of Our Times – A Journey Through Vintage Roadside Art in the Main Gallery.
The Florida Holocaust Museum, 55 5th St. S., offers free admission to veterans with ID to view exhibits on display including The Holocaust and the Book of Fire by Murray Zimiles, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., last admission at 4 p.m. Free limited parking and free audio tours are also available. Active duty military always receive free admission to the Museum as part of its Bluestar Museum membership.
While the Morean Arts Center, 719 Central Ave., and Morean Center for Clay, 420 22nd Ave. S., are always free, Veterans and active military are invited to experience the Chihuly Collection, 720 Central Ave., for free with ID on Saturday; admission for up to three guests is $5 each. The special admission also includes a free glass-blowing demonstrations in the Hot Shop until 4 p.m.
And veterans and active military members with ID may also tour the lush beauty of Sunken Gardens, 1825 4th St. N., for free on Saturday. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
PSTA offers free bus and trolley rides for veterans on Friday and Saturday with a military ID; VA medical ID card; veteran’s designation on a driver’s license; or certificate of release or discharge from active duty.
Una Voce, The Gay Men’s Chorus, honors veterans with a patriotic musical celebration at The Palladium, 253 5th Ave. N., on Sunday, November 12 at 7 p.m. The “Testament of Freedom” concert features selections from the words of Thomas Jefferson, along with other works of Americana and patriotism. The concert is free for veterans and those with military ID; tickets are available at www.mypalladium.org.