Anna Maria planning centennial celebration

The centennial celebration will honor the city of Anna Maria’s 100th anniversary as a city.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria will honor its 100th anniversary with a centennial celebration on Memorial Day.

Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy announced the plans during the March 23 city commission meeting.

MARCH 27

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The centennial celebration will begin shortly after the city’s annual Memorial Day Patriotic Symphony Salute on Monday, May 29 at City Pier Park.

Lasting approximately 45 minutes, the Memorial Day Salute will honor those who gave their lives in service to their country, as well as the spouses and significant others who made their own sacrifices.

The Memorial Day ceremony will feature a symphony orchestra performing patriotic music and the theme songs of each branch of the United States military. The centennial celebration will follow.

Murphy said he’s pursuing the design and creation of a commemorative flag that recognizes the city’s centennial status.

“We would put those flags on every other light post on Gulf Drive and Pine (Avenue) and every other would have an American flag,” he told the commission.

Murphy said commemorative coins will be handed out and the symphony orchestra will perform a musical tribute to the city’s 100th anniversary, performing music that was popular in 1923 when Anna Maria was incorporated as a city.

Longtime Anna Maria Island resident Tom Aposporos will serve as the master of ceremonies and will provide some historical reflections on the city’s first 100 years.

The centennial celebration will also include a cake cutting.

Murphy said the current plans are not set in stone and he’s open to additional suggestions.

Commission Chair Mark Short suggested researching whether there are any 100-year-old Island residents or former residents who might be able to participate in the celebration.

Murphy said the Anna Maria Island Historical Society will also play a role in the centennial celebration but that role has not yet been defined.