TAMPA, Fla. — Veterans Day is Monday, Nov. 11 and these events, freebies and deals around the Tampa Bay area all aimed at honoring veterans on the federal holiday.
Events
St. Petersburg
- Mayor Rick Kriseman will celebrate Veterans Day by honoring veterans and presenting the Honored Veteran Award to Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Geoff Barker, a highly-decorated veteran and author.
- The event will take place Monday at 11 a.m. at Williams Park Veterans Memorial.
Sarasota
- The City of Sarasota will host its annual Veterans Day Parade and Ceremony beginning at 10 a.m. on Monday at Osprey Avenue in downtown.
- The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. at the corner of Gulfstream Avenue and Main Street.
Tampa
- The 55th annual Veterans Day Tribute will start at 11 a.m. on Monday at the Veterans Memorial Park and Museum in Tampa.
- "Work Out Day" For Warriors will take place from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. at the Yuengling Center at the University of South Florida.
Venice
- The Bay Indies, an age qualified community in Venice, will host a Veterans Day service at their Veteran's Park.
- The event will start at 10 a.m. on Monday, all are welcome.
Palmetto
- The Manatee County Veterans Council and the City of Palmetto will host a parade starting at 10:45 a.m. The parade will form at the Manatee County Fairgrounds, proceed south on 11th Ave and end at Sutton Park. A ceremony will follow.
Anna Maria Island
- The Veteran's Day Parade on Anna Maria Island will be from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. It will start on Pine Avenue at City Hall and will go to City Pier Park.
RELATED: Veterans Day 2019: What's open and what's closed on the holiday
Deals and Freebies
Applebee’s
- Veterans and active duty can receive a free dine-in entrée off of Applebee’s special menu. Items include the Bacon Cheeseburger and Fiesta Lime Chicken. Since 2008, Applebee’s has served 9.8 million free meals on Veterans Day. The offer is dine-in only.
California Pizza Kitchen
- With proof of service, veterans and active duty are able to select from a limited menu, which includes six pizzas, four full-size salads or three pasta dishes. The offer is dine-in only.
Chili’s
- With proof of service, veterans and active duty can enjoy a free entrée from a menu of seven entrees, including the Just Bacon Burger and Chicken Crispers. The offer is dine-in only.
22nd Street Coffee
- Anyone with a military ID can enjoy a free drip coffee and Cuban toast
HART
- The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority is offering free rides to all members of the armed services, both active and retired, and their family members or dependents. Customers will be asked to show a valid Military of Veterans ID card.
Stars, Stripes, and Smiles
- The office of Congressman Gus Bilirakis and the West Pasco Dental Association will host this year’s Stars, Stripes, and Smiles event at Pasco Hernando State College on Friday, November 8, 2019 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Veterans in need of dental services should contact Congressman Bilirakis’s office at 727-232-2921 to sign up for treatment, and patients will be taken on a first come, first serve basis, as there are a limited number of spaces available.
Cracker Barrel
- Veterans can enjoy a free double chocolate fudge Coca-Cola cake or a pumpkin pie latte.
Denny's
- All vets and active duty military can come in from 5 a.m. to noon to enjoy a complementary Build Your Own Grand Slam.
Dunkin
- Vets and active duty can get a free doughnut of their choice at participating locations on Monday.
Frida's Cafe and Bakery
- All veterans can come in and receive a free donut
Golden Corral
- The buffet joint is offering current and active duty military and reservists a free meal at the buffet.
Little Caesars
- The pizza joint will offer its typical $5 lunch of four slices and a 20-ounce beverage for free to veterans and active military from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday.
Logan’s Roadhouse
- Logan’s Roadhouse is offering a free entrée to vets and active duty from 3 to 6 p.m. on Monday from its American Roadhouse menu, which features 10 entrees. The offer is dine-in only.
RELATED: These restaurants are honoring vets and active duty by offering a free meal on Veterans Day
McCormick & Schmick's
- The steak and seafood joint is offering free entrees for veterans and gold star honorees (parents and spouse) on Sunday. The restaurant has 10 free entrees available for veterans. The offer is dine-in only.
Quaker Steak and Lube
- The restaurant is offering free meals up to $15 with non-alcoholic beverage or meal discounts.
Red Lobster
- Red Lobster is offering a free appetizer or dessert with proof of service. Veterans and active duty can choose from seven appetizers or five desserts.
Red Robin
- This burger joint is offering veterans and active duty a free Red’s Tavern Double Burger and bottomless fries all day Monday. The offer is dine-in only.
Smashburger
- Veterans and active duty military get a free double burger on with any purchase.
Goodyear Auto Service
- Goodyear is offering free car care checks and free tire installation to all active and retired members of the U.S. military, which it says is a $25 value. Veterans and active duty can book appointments from Nov. 8 to 11, and the offer can be redeemed by Nov. 16.
RELATED: Free and discounted services offered to veterans for Veterans Day
Great Clips
- Active duty and veterans can receive a free haircut on Monday. If you're not ready for a haircut, Great Clips will give you a voucher on Monday for a free haircut that can be redeemed by the end of the year.
Planet Fitness
- Veterans and active duty are invited to workout for free from Nov. 8-15, and stay for a free HydroMassage and chair massage. Planet Fitness is also allowing vets and active duty to bring a friend for free.
Amazon
- As part of a Veterans Day special to honor those who have served in the U.S. Military, Amazon is offering $40 off a one-year Prime membership to all veterans and active military Nov. 6-11. The Veterans Day promotion discounts the Amazon Prime membership fee from $119 to $79 for one year. New and existing Amazon Prime members are eligible.
Kohl's
- The retailer is doubling its military discount for veterans, active-duty military members and their families to 30% off Nov. 7-11 in honor of Veteran's Day, according to military.com.
