Nothing can make up for the costs and sacrifices of being a part of a military family. However, some Tampa Bay businesses show their gratitude for the military by offering freebies for Memorial Day weekend. Here is a list of Military Freebies for Memorial Day in Tampa Bay.
On Memorial Day, Monday, May 28, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., military personnel (active-duty and retirees) are entitled to free admission at Lowry Park Zoo. The military member will need to show a Department of Defense photo ID at the Zoo’s ticket counter. As many as three direct dependents of military personnel are also entitled to free admission. Dependents may take advantage of the offer without their service member, though an adult must accompany minors.
The Upper Tampa Bay Chamber is joining forces with PAC Publishing, Inc. to stage FreedomFest on State Street in Oldsmar over the Memorial Day weekend (May 25-27). Hours will be 5 to 10 pm on Friday May 25, 10 am to 10 pm on Saturday May 26 and concluding Sunday May 27 between the hours of 11am and 6 pm. In the plans are live music, lots of vendors, a play area for the kids and bike shows Saturday and Sunday.
Any active duty, activated or drilling reservist, or National Guardsman is entitled to free admission under the Here's to the Heroes program. Registration is required via the "Here's to the Heroes" website. By clicking the title above you will be linked to the "Here's to the Heroes" site. This offer is not valid at Howl-O-Scream Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay, FL, is not valid with any other discounts or offers, is subject to change or cancellation and has a strict limit of one complimentary admission per person, per year.
Arts Tampa Bay is reporting that Henry B. Plant Museum will be offering free admission for all active or retired military personnel and their families on Sunday, May, 27, 2012 from noon to 5 p.m. Call (813) 254-1891 for details and confirmation. Henry B. Plant Museum is located within the University of Tampa at 401 W. Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa, Fla.
Read this from the TB Rays website: "In cooperation with the Rays, the various commands at MacDill Air Force Base are given 24 tickets for each game. These are used for returning personnel assigned to the base, personnel returning from deployment, families of deployed personnel and staff. The ribbon cutting featured General Timothy Ghormley, Vice Commander CentCom. It's a way for Grow Financial Credit Union, Florida Blood Services and the Rays to say "thanks" to those who serve our country and protect our rights to freedom."
Located at 8300 De Soto Memorial Hwy in Bradenton, active duty military personnel and dependents with proper identification now qualify for a free annual pass to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites including De Soto National Memorial. Passes began being offered on May 19, 2012. It can be obtained in person at Federal recreation sites that charge entrance or standard amenity fees. The pass admits the pass owner and any accompanying passengers in a private non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas, or the pass owner and up to additional three adults at sites that charge per person. See the USGS site for more information.
