MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Miami Beach is hosting an action-packed celebration of American patriotism on Saturday and Sunday ahead of Memorial Day, a time to honor those who died while serving in the U.S. military.

The Hyundai Air & Sea Show marks the barrier-island city’s eighth annual National Salute to America’s Heroes with representatives of the U.S. military’s six branches, first responders, and allies.

The maroon beret-wearing Red Devils from the British Army’s Parachute Regiment were ready. Mickey Markoff, the show’s executive producer, told Local 10 News the schedule of events honors heroes.

“They are writing the blank check of sacrificing their life for our entire nation to protect our freedom,” Markoff said. “The whole idea is to say thanks.”

The choreographed beachside tribute is from noon to 6 p.m., and there are events into the night after the show — including a concert, a 3-D mapping video projection on historic buildings, and a fireworks display.

Markoff also said the primary viewing area is along Ocean Drive — between 11 and 14 streets — at the heart of the Art Deco Historic District in South Beach.

Miami Beach police officers were enforcing temporary traffic and parking changes that limited drivers’ access to Ocean Drive, and Collins and Washington avenues.

It will be hot this weekend and there is a risk of Saturday afternoon storms. Organizers said there is an interactive area for kids, food vendors, and water access at Lummus Park, at 1130 Ocean Dr., which also has public restrooms.

Sun protection and comfortable clothes and footwear are a must. Admission to the public show and the after-show events is free. For more information from event organizers, visit this page.

RELATED REPORTS

Memorial Day in Miami Beach

Q: Bam Adebayo is an incredibly talented  player.  But with the Heat having to probably go through one or a few of these teams in the future:  Denver, Minnesota, Oklahoma City, Boston, 76ers, Knicks, Milwaukee and a few others to get the chip, is having Bam Adebayo at center a flaw design? Boston, Minnesota, Oklahoma City and Denver all play big and have talented bigs. – Stuart.

A: This has come up often amid the course of the playoffs and the answer remains the same: If the Heat can add a big man who is a better fit than Bam Adebayo at center, they assuredly would move in that direction. But wanting something and getting someone are two different things. Yes, the Celtics got Kristaps Porzingis and that arguably is one that got away (even as Boston wins in his absence). But I doubt most Heat followers would have been willing to give up for Rudy Gobert what the Timberwolves gave up. And Deandre Ayton hardly was a big man in demand when he was dealt. As for the draft, Victor Wembanyama was an exception. Now, if you want someone along the lines of Clint Capela and are willing to take on his salary, that could be doable. So, as with all players of all sizes, it’s a matter of the right big man as opposed to any big man.

Q: Are Heat fans not being patient enough? I’ve seen some Heat fans want to see a tear down and rebuild, which isn’t going to happen. But when building with young players, you have to be patient. Running it back is what you do with young teams as they improve. The Heat have two rotation pieces in Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Nikola Jovic that will improve. Tyler Herro at 24 can still improve. They’ll be adding another rookie at No. 15 in the draft. Heat fans aren’t going to want to hear this, but running it back may be the best and most responsible option if a trade for a superstar isn’t a possibility. – Dave, Placenta, Calif.

A: No, they probably don’t want to hear that. While championship contention is expressed as the ultimate goal, this also is entertainment. And sometimes that means freshening the product before it is perceived as growing stale. That puts the Heat at a curious crossroads at the moment. When you get down to it, the lone “older” element in the starting lineup is Jimmy Butler, who will be 35 next season. But the question is that if Jimmy missed 22 games at 34, how many does he miss at 35?

Q: Nikola Jovic did bulk up from year one to year two.  Can he do it again before year three? – Gary, Boca Raton.

A: That becomes a question of whether he wants to or whether the Heat want him to. Adding weight can result in a loss of agility. You have to be careful with such body shaping. As it is, Nikola Jovic plays mostly as a wing, so I’m not sure the desire there is to be able to flex in front of a mirror.

CENTERVILLE – The Liberty Union softball team held a 9-1 advantage and looked to be cruising in their Division III regional final game against Casstown Miami East on Friday.

However, things got a little tense when Miami East scored six runs in the top of the seventh inning, but the Lions were able to hold on for a 9-7 victory at Centerville High School and punch their ticket to state final four.

Liberty Union, which has won 11 consecutive games, improved to 22-6 and will face Oak Harbor in a state semifinal game at 3 p.m. Thursday at Firestone Stadium in Akron. Friday’s win was the Lions’ first regional title since 2011 and second all-time.

More: Liberty Union rallies late to win Division III district title; Bloom-Carroll falls short

Liberty Union dodged several bullets in the game as Miami East loaded the bases in the first inning and only got one run, and also had the bases load two more times, but the Lions were able to escape both times without allowing a run. In all, Miami East stranded 13 base runners.

Liberty Union, on the other hand, was able to string hits together, especially in the first and second innings where they plated three runs in the bottom of the first inning and four more in the second to take a 7-1 lead. They added two more runs in the fourth and were on the cusp of ending it by run rule before Miami East scored its six runs in the seventh.

Liberty Union finished with 10 hits and was led by multiple players with two hits each. Alexis McCoy had two hits, including a home run, two RBIs and two runs. Suzie Shultz went 2-for-4 with three RBIs, while Payton Hochradel and Haeden Brunty contributed two hits and scored two runs each. Addi Osterman and Macie Wollenberg chipped in one hit each.

Shultz picked up the win in the circle. She went the distance, giving up nine hits, seven runs, only four were earned and seven strikeouts.