- September 6, 2024
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Sarasota 4-year-old Alona Hymel is in fashion, sporting the beads she collected at the Tribute to Heroes Parade in Lakewood Ranch.
Photo by Jay HeaterNorth Port 11-year-old Jovany Ramos gets an unexpected, but fun, visit from street performance artist Joe Abel.
Photo by Jay HeaterSahib Shrine's Frank Metheny leads his group's entry in the Tribute to Heroes Parade.
Photo by Jay HeaterWorld War II veteran John Skeen, 105, enjoys a front row seat during the Tribute to Heroes Parade.
Photo by Jay HeaterU.S. Coast Guard veteran Jim Klocke enjoys a special ride during the Tribute to Heroes Parade.
Photo by Jay HeaterSome parade participants, such as Lakewood Ranch's Meredith Sweeney, were just clowning around.
Photo by Jay HeaterFor the first time, the parade used temporary fencing to separate the crowd from parade participants.
Photo by Jay HeaterCeremonial Master Mark Nelson waves to the crowd from the Sahib Shriners Oriental Band float.
Photo by Jay HeaterGraham Ellis and Dave Daily of VFW Braden River Post 12055 enjoy those marching in the Tribute to Heroes Parade.
Photo by Jay HeaterLakewood Ranch 6-year-old Ella Dean enjoys a petting zoo rabbit during the block party before the Tribute to Heroes Parade.
Photo by Jay HeaterMiss Florida Ultimate Kaitlyn Graybeal, a Lakewood Ranch resident who attends Cardinal Mooney, shows off her wave as she rides in the Tribute to Heroes Parade.
Photo by Jay HeaterMission Barbecue brought its military truck to ride in the Tribute to Heroes Parade in Lakewood Ranch.
Photo by Jay HeaterMeals on Wheels Plus Manatee marches in the Tribute to Heroes Parade.
Photo by Jay HeaterBob Sharak and Paul Roy of the Del Webb Lakewood Ranch Association of Veterans and Military Supporters enjoy the veterans dinner at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.
Photo by Jay HeaterJacob Cunningham, a tuba player for the Lakewood Ranch High Marching Mustangs, gives it his all.
Photo by Jay HeaterSinger Chantelle Campbell entertains the crowd before the Tribute to Heroes Parade.
Photo by Jay HeaterMany in the thousands who attended the Tribute to Heroes parade brought American flags with them.
Photo by Jay HeaterThe Knights of Columbus make their way down Lakewood Main Street.
Photo by Jay HeaterRobert Ricciardo of Crewe of De Soto said marching in the parade would be tough because it was so hot, but "it's what we do."
Photo by Jay HeaterLana and Alex Vovkulin who own the Foam Gator foam party business of Sarasota, enjoy the bubbles with their 4-year-old daughter Charlotte, before they get ready to participate in the parade.
Photo by Jay HeaterWilliam Jacques of the Knights of Columbus hands out goodies to the crowd during the Tribute to Heroes Parade.
Photo by Jay HeaterLauren Bradley and Zach Bradley, mounted officers for the Manatee County Sheriff's Office, make their way down Lakewood Main Street during the Tribute to Heroes Parade.
Photo by Jay HeaterLakewood Ranch's Eric Laschke, a former New York City Police Department officer, was happy to see former NYC fireman Steve Lubrino selected as the parade grand marshal.
Photo by Jay HeaterLakewood Ranch 9-year-old Olivia Zeller enjoys the Tribute to Heroes Parade with Matelyn Favero (to her left), also a 9-year-old Lakewood Ranch resident.
Photo by Jay HeaterThe Lakewood Ranch High Marching Mustangs once again were the featured entertainment during the Tribute to Heroes Parade.
Photo by Jay HeaterWorld War II veteran John Skeen chats with the East County Observer's Lori Ruth during the veterans dinner at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall before the Tribute to Heroes Parade. Ruth always helps organize the dinner.
Photo by Jay HeaterMembers of the Lakewood Ranch High Marching Mustangs practice before the Tribute to Heroes Parade.
Photo by Jay HeaterThe Santa Claus Drill Team once again was a hit at the Tribute to Heroes Parade in Lakewood Ranch.
Photo by Jay HeaterBeads were in the air at the Tribute to Heroes Parade and kids tried to collect as many as possible.
Photo by Jay HeaterDel Webb Lakewood Ranch's Bob Sharak, a U.S. Army veteran, was enjoying the free veterans dinner at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall before he headed out to march in the Tribute to Heroes Parade May 26 in front of thousands of cheering spectators.
"It's just the acknowledgement of our service," said Sharak, who was a first lieutenant in the service. "This is tremendous."
The appreciation by veterans was echoed over and over at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch, which once against hosted the parade, one of Lakewood Ranch's signature events.
"It is great, and this event is getting bigger every year," said Del Webb Lakewood Ranch's Paul Roy, who was in the Navy for 23 years.
"This is such an honor for our community's veterans," said Dave Daily, the commander of VFW Braden River Post 12055.
John Skeen, a 105-year-old Army veteran said the outpouring of love and respect during the parade left him feeling "overwhelmed."