Five Local Events for Making May Memories

Summer Camps

Registration is underway for a variety of local summer camps that will keep the fun and learning going after school lets out. Most are five-day sessions. Inquire about scholarships and sibling discounts!

• The City of Vero Beach Recreation Department offers two options: Aerial Antics and Sports/Aquatics (June 2–Aug. 1, $95 city residents/$130 non-city residents, ages 6–12, 772-770-6500, covb.org).
• At the ELC, Wild Lagoon sessions include lots of educational outdoor activities (June 2–Aug. 4, $295, grades 1–8, 772-589-5050, discoverelc.org).
• VBMA’s Art Camp exposes youngsters to all sorts of art-making materials and techniques (June 2–July 11, $115 members/$135 nonmembers, ages 5–16, 772-231-0707, vbmuseum.org).
• Camp McKee has all new adventures and activities planned (June 2–July 18, $300, 772-794-0601, mckeegarden.org).
• The Laura (Riding) Jackson Foundation’s “Write in the Middle” camps include creative writing, walking field trips, and arts and crafts (June 9–27, $225, grades 7–9, 772-569-6718, lauraridingjackson.org).
• Pelican Island Audubon Society offers nature adventure camps for various ages and abilities (June 2– July 25, $200–$300, 772-567-3520, pelicanislandaudubon.org).

Dancing with Vero’s Stars

On May 17, the Indian River County Healthy Start Coalition will hold its signature fundraiser, which pairs 10 prominent (and brave) members of the community with professional dancers for an exciting competition. To date, this popular event has raised nearly $3 million in support of the coalition’s work providing a range of support for pregnant women and new mothers and fathers. DWVS will take place at 6 p.m. at Riverside Theatre. Tickets are $225. This year’s star dancers include Officer Preet Singh of the Sebastian Police Department, veterinarian Dr. Amber Callaway Lewis, 21st Amendment Distillery owner Jeff Palleschi, and engineer Wesley Mills. See irchealthystartcoalition.org or call 772-563-9118.

‘USO’ Dance

As part of Indian River County’s Centennial celebration, the Heritage Center (2140 14th Ave.) will host an event that harks back to the USO dances, held in the same building, that entertained the sailors of Naval Air Station Vero Beach during World War II. From 6 to 9 p.m. on May 23, guests will step into the shoes of the Greatest Generation for an evening of big band music. Period dress is encouraged. Tickets are $25. For more information, see veroheritage.org or call 772-770-2263. Centennial events will continue through the end of June, so check out indianriver.gov/100 to learn more or to get involved.

Memorial Day

Everyone is invited to the annual Memorial Day ceremony May 26 at Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary (100 Dahlia Lane). This year, Florida Congressman Mike Haridopolos will serve as keynote speaker. During the ceremony, Sergeant Stephan Wiggins of Vero Beach, a Vietnam casualty, will be awarded a posthumous Bronze Star, which will be presented to his sister. The proceedings begin at 9 a.m., and military folks are very punctual, so be sure to allow enough time to make your way from the parking areas onto Memorial Island. You may also wish to bring a lawn chair. The ceremony will include the presentation of colors, an invocation, the national anthem and Pledge of Allegiance, and patriotic music performed by the Vero Beach High School Band. This will be the first Memorial Day observance since the installation of the new World War II Tribute, shown above.

Golf Outing

The 19th annual Bernard & Betty Egan Memorial Golf Classic will take place at Indian River Club (800 Carolina Circle SW) May 30. The event benefits Catholic Charities’ Samaritan Center, which helps change the lives of homeless families in Indian River County. The entry fee of $200 covers all golf fees, lunch, two mulligans, a door prize ticket, and participation in all course games, including the golf ball launcher. Check-in begins at 11:30 a.m., and the shotgun start is at 1 p.m. For more information, call 772-770-3039 or visit ccdpb.org.