'Heroes Weekend' to Feature Casino, Parade, Volleyball Tournament

Heroes Weekend

Attention veterans, friends and families! The second annual "Heroes Weekend" will feature fundraising events on November 8, 9, 10 and 11 in Gulfport.

Last year, Marine and Stetson Law Alumni Javier Centonzio spearheaded the first annual Heroes Weekend with the American Legion Post 125, Gulfport Area Chamber of Commerce and City of Gulfport. This year, the weekend will feature more sponsors, more events and more fundraisers. The Gulfport Merchants Association and VETSports are helping put on this year's events as well.

Vegas Style Fundraiser

To kick start the weekend, on Thursday, November 8th, the Gulfport Casino Ballroom will turn into a high-stakes gambling casino with Vegas style games including poker, blackjack, roulette, craps, slot machines and Texas hold'em. Buy ins include $1000 each in "funny money" and can be increased. Enjoy auctions, hors d'oeuvres, a full cash bar and live music. The price is $20, $35 a couple in advance and $25 at the door. Proceeds benefit the Small Business Mentor Program at the Gulfport Area Chamber of Commerce and the Gulfport Multipurpose Senior Center Foundation.

Extra "Play Money" for Veterans

Veterans with i.d. cards get an extra $500 in ‘play money’ at the door. There will also be a table shared by the American Legion/vets and the red hatters to promote their events at the Casino night. Please visit the Gulfport Area Chamber of Commerce for tickets at 4926 Gulfport Blvd. S. to pick up your advance tickets. 

Veteran's Day Parade

All are welcome to join the City of Gulfport Veteran’s Day Parade on Saturday, November 10th beginning at 4 p.m. on Beach Blvd. If you are interested in participating, please stop by City Hall at 2401 53rd St. S. to pick up an application or download and print the form attached to this article. Wondering what to expect? Check out the photo gallery and video from our very own "Patch Float."

This year organizers are planning to fill the streets during the parade with businesses, artists and more. Contact Bob Worthington at (727) 916-8014 or Javier Centonzio at (913) 706-9340 to take part.

Beach Volleyball Benefit

Sunday, November 11th at 1:00 p.m., VETSports vs. Gulfport Police and Gulfport Fire Inaugural Beach Volleyball Benefit will be held with proceeds from this event donated to the Tampa family of fallen soldier Major David Taylor and Wounded Veterans of VETSports. Many of these Veterans playing in the volleyball matches now use prosthetics for mobility, this will be most remarkable, please come cheer on America’s Bravest and Gulfport’s Finest!

For more details about the VETSports event, please contact Ward 1 City Councilman Dan Liedtke at dliedtke@mygulfport.us or visit http://VETSports.org/.

Join the Human Chain!

Immediately following the volleyball matches, an aerial photo will be taken of the human-chain spelling of GULFPORT, FL on the beach.

Steel Horse Concert

Tickets are available now for the benefit concert for Paws for Patriots and Stetson's Veterans Law Institute. Steel Horse will perform at the Gulfport Casino Ballroom at 7 p.m. on Veteran's Day. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased in advance at the Gulfport Chamber of Commerce and American Legion Post 125.