Veterans Day is Nov. 11, and many Central Florida businesses are honoring former and current service members with deals and specials.
Here are ways to take advantage of meals, deals and discounts that honor veterans and active-duty military personnel this holiday. Many establishments require an ID or DD-214 form as proof.
Events
The City of Ocoee hosts a Veterans Day Ceremony to honor all who served in the armed forces. The ceremony will feature remarks from retired Lt. Col. Yolonda Frazier, who served for 30 years in the U.S. Army. The ceremony begins at 11 a.m. Nov. 9 at 125 N. Lakeshore Drive in Ocoee. More information: 407-905-3100 or ocoee.org
Lake Mary brings a Veteran’s Day Salute to the community with local leaders and the Lake Mary Trailblazers. Light refreshments will be served. The ceremony is from 8-9 a.m. Nov. 9 at 240 Greenleaf Lane in Lake Mary. More information: 407-585-1421 or lakemaryfl.com
Orange County’s Veterans Day Ceremony will honor veterans, with Mayor Jerry Demings and other officials participating in the event. The ceremony is from noon-1 p.m. Nov. 9 at 201 S. Rosalind Ave. in Orlando and will be live-streamed on Facebook by Orange TV. RSVP online for the event. More information: orangecountyfl.net
Lake Highland Preparatory School students and faculty will pay tribute to veterans with music, dancing and live performances. The free “Veterans Salute” for 2023 has the theme “Embracing Freedom” and takes place at 11 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Nov. 10 at 901 N. Highland Ave. in Orlando. Guests can enjoy a complimentary lunch after the 11 a.m. show or dinner one hour before the 6:30 p.m. show. More information: lhps.org/veterans-salute
Orlando Science Center hosts a special event to honor veterans with a wreath ceremony outside the entrance at the Red Tails Monument. The ceremony is at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 at 777 E. Princeton St. in Orlando. In addition, veterans can enjoy complimentary admission through Nov. 19, and their families can receive 50 percent off. More information: osc.org
The City of Sanford hosts a Veterans Day Ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park to honor active and retired members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and National Guard. Jason Althouse, Seminole County’s Veterans’ Service officer, will serve as the master of ceremonies and U.S. Marine Corps Col. (retired) and Florida House of Representatives member David Smith will be the keynote speaker. The presentation is at 10 a.m. Nov 11 at 110 W. Seminole Blvd. in Sanford. More information: sanfordfl.gov
Clermont honors veterans with a parade and a special program at Waterfront Park. Marine Corps. Sgt. Maj. Collin Cotterell will be the keynote speaker. The parade begins at 9 a.m. Nov. 11 and will travel down Osceola Street to Waterfront Park, 330 Third St. in Clermont. More information: clermontfl.gov
Eustis brings a Salute to Veterans featuring a traveling memorial display, a parade, a ceremony of honor and a military vehicles display. The festivities are from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 11 at 250 Ferran Park Drive in Eustis. More information: eustis.org
Lake Nona invites Central Floridians to celebrate the men and women who served at Lake Nona Town Center. The event will feature a stage presentation, parachuters, bagpipes, an honor guard presentation and more. The event begins at 5 p.m. Nov. 11 at 6900 Tavistock Lakes Blvd. in Lake Nona. More information: lakenona.com
Winter Springs honors our nation’s heroes with a presentation of colors from Winter Springs High School students and other ceremonies to honor veterans. During the ceremony, a local veteran will receive the 2023 Hometown Hero Award. The ceremony is 6-7 p.m. Nov. 11 at Winter Springs Town Center on Tuskawilla Road in Winter Springs. In the event of inclement weather, the tribute will be moved to City Hall. The town center will also offer a free meal for veterans at Pho Au Lac, Huey Magoos and Tijuana flats during a block party that starts at 3 p.m. More information: winterspringsfl.org
The City of Orlando brings its 24th annual Veterans Day Parade to downtown Orlando to honor those who have served. Following the parade, the city will host a Veterans Day Celebration at Lake Eola Park. The parade, beginning at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, travels along Orange Avenue, Central Boulevard and Rosalind Avenue in Orlando. More information: orlando.gov
The Trustco Bank Veteran & Active Duty Run for Freedom 5K brings a running event to Casselberry in honor of Veterans Day weekend. Proceeds from the race benefit charities that help veterans. The 5K run and walk begins at 8 a.m. Nov. 12 at 915 Triplet Lake Drive in Casselberry. More information: runsignup.com
Restaurants
4 Rivers Smokehouse offers a free sandwich and two sides or one side and a fountain drink to veterans. More information: 4rsmokehouse.com
Another Broken Egg Cafe provides a free “breakfast for heroes” in honor of Veterans Day with Patriot French Toast, topped with strawberries, blueberries and fresh whipped cream. The offer is valid for active duty or retired military with ID on Nov. 11. More information: anotherbrokenegg.com
Applebee’s serves complimentary full-size entrees to veterans on Nov. 11, including a 6-ounce top sirloin, fiesta lime chicken, a classic bacon cheeseburger or three-cheese chicken penne. More information: applebees.com
Bob Evans celebrates Veterans Day with a free meal for active-duty military and veterans on Nov. 11 with 10 different menu options from which to choose. Proof of service is required. More information: bobevans.com
Bonefish Grill offers a free order of Bang Bang Shrimp to service members, veterans and first responders with ID. The restaurant offers a 10-percent heroes discount year-round. More information: bonefishgrill.com
California Pizza Kitchen will dish out a free entree and beverage with proof of service for active and retired military members on Veterans Day. More information: cpk.com
Carrabba’s Italian Grill offers all service members, veterans and first responders 10 percent off on Nov. 11 and year-round with a valid ID. More information: carrabbas.com
Duffy’s Sports Grill allows veterans to eat free from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 11. The deal, available for dine-in only, requires a military ID and has a $15 maximum. All active-duty military get 40 percent off food purchases every day. More information: duffysmvp.com
Dunkin’ honors active and retired members of the military a free donut on Veterans Day. More information: dunkindonuts.com
Golden Corral hosts Military Appreciation Night from 5 p.m. to close Nov. 13 with a free “thank you dinner” for all veterans and active-duty military members. More information: goldencorral.com
Metro Diner gives active and retired military 10 percent off all year, but on Veterans Day, the restaurant chain is offering 50 percent off with a valid military ID. More information: metrodiner.com
Scooter’s Coffee provides veterans with a free handcrafted drink of any size on Veterans Day with a valid ID. More information: scooterscoffee.com
Tijuana Flats offers a free entree with the purchase of a medium drink to all active military and veterans on Nov. 11. More information: tijuanaflats.com
Wendy’s offers a free breakfast combo to those who have served or are currently serving in the U.S. military. Take advantage of the deal from 6:30-10:30 a.m. Nov. 11. More information: wendys.com
World of Beer gives veterans and active servicemembers with ID an order of crispy chicken sliders for free at participating locations Nov. 9-12. More information: worldofbeer.com
Yard House celebrates veterans and active-duty military with a complimentary appetizer on Veterans Day. The Central Florida location is open 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Nov. 11 at 8367 International Drive in Orlando. More information: yardhouse.com
White Castle gives veterans and active-duty service members a free combo meal or breakfast combo meal on Nov. 11. The Central Florida location is open 8 a.m.-midnight at 11595 Daryl Carter Parkway in Orlando. More information: whitecastle.com
Attractions
Florida State Parks offer free admission to all parks for veterans, active-duty personnel and their families on Nov. 11.
PXG Orlando, a store for golfers, hosts a free event with a “closest-to-the-pin” challenge using Trackman technology. The free event is open to the community from noon-3 p.m. Nov. 11 at 6811 Visitors Circle in Orlando. More information: pxg.com
Icon Park offers active military and veterans 25 percent off admission to The Wheel year-round. More information: iconparkorlando.com
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will honor veterans, active-duty military and reservists with complimentary admission Nov. 6-12. Up to four additional guests can receive a 50 percent discount on admission. Purchase these tickets on-site at will call. More information: kennedyspacecenter.com
Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens offers all active duty and retired service members free entry on Nov. 11-12 with ID, sponsored by VyStar Credit Union. These heroes can also get buy-one-get-one tickets for up to six tickets. More information: centralfloridazoo.org
Dezerland Action Park provides free entry to the Orlando Auto Museum for active and retired military members on Veterans Day. The attraction has a military pavilion with vehicles from America and its allies, including an amphibious vehicle used by the U.S. in World War II. Guests accompanying military members can purchase tickets at a 50-percent discount. The deal is valid on Nov. 11 at 5250 International Drive in Orlando. More information: dezerlandpark.com
Legoland Florida says thank you to military members with free admission when purchased and verified through Legoland.com through Nov. 30. Up to six additional guests can receive 50 percent off admission. The park also offers discounts on overnight stays at select hotels. More information: legoland.com
Leu Gardens offers free admission to veterans and active-duty military on Nov. 11. Active-duty military members receive general admission year-round. More information: leugardens.org
Crayola Experience provides a free bronze annual pass to military members (including active, retired and veterans), law enforcement, firefighters and EMTs. This includes unlimited visits for one year, 20 percent off on-site purchases and discounted tickets for friends and family. More information: crayolaexperience.com
Other
Sport Clips across the country will host its annual Veterans Day haircut event where a $2 per haircut service fee will support “Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarships.” In addition, veterans and active service members can receive a free haircut at participating locations on Nov. 11. More information: sportclips.com
Great Clips will honor veterans with a free haircut on Nov. 11 or a haircut card to be used between Nov. 12-Dec. 1. In addition, nonmilitary customers on Nov. 11 can receive a card and pass it on to an active-duty military member or veteran. More information: greatclips.com
Publix honors veterans and active military personnel with a 10 percent discount on groceries on Nov. 11 with ID. More information: publix.com
Tractor Supply Company offers a 15-percent discount in stores nationwide for all service members, veterans and their dependents with a valid ID. More information: tractorsupply.com
Know of other Veterans Day deals and events? Find me @PConnPie on Twitter and Instagram or send me an email: pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com.
