Centennial Celebrations in November
It’s official folks, I am proud to say I am Ms. Vero Centennial! We are now in full gear to celebrate our wonderful city’s 100-year birthday in the month of November. So… what is there to do? Let me share a few key events with you as I will hope you will plan to attend.
Thursday, Nov. 1st: If you love soup as much as I do, you won’t want to miss the 26th annual, county-wide, Samaritan Soup Bowl centennial style. More than 70 local restaurants supply the soup which will be served at the local places of worship and several businesses participate hosting their own signature soups. Lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. and dinner locations will serve from 4:30 – 7:00 p.m. Since the Samaritan Center provides transitional housing for homeless families with dependent children in Indian River County, you will feel good about buying a special centennial bowl and enjoying the soups for just $5.
Saturday, Nov. 3rd: Do you love a good parade? I sure do and on this Saturday at 10:00 a.m., yours truly will be in the Veteran’s Day Parade –In association with the Indian River County Cultural Council, the parade will be along 14th Avenue and entering the Cultural Arts Village at 19th Street. It is a great chance to show your support for our troops past and present.
Saturday, Nov. 10th: If you can’t make it to the parade, come show your support on Veteran’s Day itself for a patriotic service held on Memorial Island.
After the memorial service, come see the 10 tree dedication compliments of the Vero Beach Tree and Beautification Commission, one for each decade of our beautiful city, that will one day be a beautiful canopy on 19th Street between 17th and 20th Avenues for the Vero Beach Cultural Arts Village.
In the afternoon, it is the Blessing of the Fleet at 3 p.m. & BBQ from 5-7pm hosted by The Vero Beach Yacht Club, partnering with the City of Vero Beach and the City Marina. The annual Blessing is a long-held tradition that began centuries ago in Mediterranean fishing villages to help insure a safe and bountiful boating season. Following the ceremony, all participants are invited to the Yacht Club for a special BBQ with live music. The City Marina will make mooring balls available to visiting boats and the club’s pontoon boat “Friendship” will ferry people to the club and back. The club is located at 3601 Rio Vista Blvd., next to the City Marina.
Thursday, November 15-Sunday, November 18, 2018: Come have some fun, enjoy a few rides and take your best shot at classic carnival games during the 54th annual St. Helen’s Harvest Festival whose church is also turning 100 this year! Students from St. Helen Catholic School will be selling Pre-Sale Ride Tickets at a 20% DISCOUNT through Thursday, November 15th until 3:00 p.m. This year it’s FREE PARKING at and hours of operation will be: Thursday, November 15th from 5–9:30 p.m., Friday, November 16th from 5–11 p.m., Saturday, November 17th from NOON–11 p.m. and Sunday, November 18th from NOON – 6 p.m.!
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, November 16 -18, 2018: Come enjoy the Festival of Trees campus-wide at Riverside Theatre. Starting with the opening gala, Festival of Trees showcases some of the most unique and glamorous trees and wreaths in all of Florida with delivery from the White Glove Moving team. Throughout the weekend, visit Santa, have kids ice skate, make crafts, shop at holiday inspired boutiques and capture these priceless memories at the various photo stations; you won’t want to miss this kick off to the holiday season. Plus, rumor has it a tribute to the Centennial will be unveiled…
Saturday, November 17, 2018- 4-6 p.m.: Vero Vino-Toasts the City Centennial at the Heritage Center for a late afternoon of wine tasting, food, entertainment and silent auction to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of IRC and Little Birthday Angles. Free Centennial wine glass and signature t-shirt with admission.
Saturday, November 17, 2018, 6-10 p.m.- plan to be a part of the Beachside Bonfire Fest; perhaps the biggest event of the month! This progressive bonfire, in conjunction with the Vero Beach Life Guards Association, will offer up raffles, music, good drinks and fun themes from these ocean front establishments: Waldos- Southern BBQ, Costa d Este- Latin Fiesta, Mulligans- Hawaiian Luau and Vero Beach Hotel &Spa with Beach Blanket Bingo. This is going to be an event for the history books full of great vibes so don’t miss it!
Remember, keep checking VeroBeach100.org for up-to-date calendar of events and registration opportunities. Follow Vero Centennial Celebration on Facebook for one of kind mementos (like the designer bag available only at the Vero Beach Museum of Art), announcements and more. Also, be sure to tune into The Vero Insider, with yours truly as the host, for in depth interviews and behind the scenes details of what to expect this month of Vero’s Centennial. Looking forward to seeing you in the month of Thanksgiving as we all have so much to be thankful for; cheers!
Where to go, What to try
& How to give back.