JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The world will honor those who have fought for our country’s freedoms in multiple Veterans Day parades on Saturday, Nov. 11.
The patriotic presentations will feature grand marshals, senior military officials, active-duty and retired military, veterans groups, local high school marching bands, decorative floats, giant balloons, JROTC units, and more to show their appreciation for our retired and active-duty service members.
Florida and Georgia are planning on showing honor and gratitude with multiple events around the area.
Below are the parades families can attend on Saturday.
Jacksonville’s Veterans Day Parade (Duval County)
The 2023 Jacksonville Veterans Day Parade steps off at 11:01 a.m. Saturday in Downtown Jacksonville. More info
The 2023 parade route will begin on Gator Bowl Boulevard behind Daily’s Place and continue west to Bay Street. The route will then continue on Bay Street. heading west and end right before the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center.
Feel free to bring some chairs, blankets, snacks and drinks for the event.
Road Closures, according to the City of Jacksonville:
- 6:00 a.m.- Talleyrand Ave. closed from Gator Bowl Blvd. to Duval St.
- 6:00 a.m.- Bryan St. closed from Adams St. to Duval St.
- 8:30 a.m.- Gator Bowl Blvd. eastbound closed from A. Philip Randolph Blvd. to Talleyrand Ave.
- 10:30 a.m.- Main Street Bridge and Acosta Bridge closed
- 10:30 a.m.- Lee St. closed at Water St. to Forsyth St.
- 11:01 a.m.- The parade begins with hold and release at all intersections on Bay St. westbound to the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center for the remainder of the parade, until approximately 2:00 p.m.
All road closures will end at 3 p.m. or as soon as the end of the parade exits the closure, whichever comes first.
City Rescue Mission honors veterans who are homeless (Duval County)
CRM will be honoring veterans during its Sunday service, beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday in the Wayne M. Densch Chapel, 426 S. McDuff Ave., Jacksonville.
The service is open to all veterans and citizens in the community who want to recognize and remember those who have served our country.
“It’s our privilege to recognize these noble men and women and show appreciation for the sacrifices they’ve made serving our country,” Paul Stasi, CRM Executive Director, said.
According to Community Solutions, 191 veterans were living on the streets in Jacksonville last year.
“Veterans experiencing homelessness face a shortage of affordable housing, insufficient income, and inadequate access to health care,” Stasi said. “What these men and women are seeking and need most is clean, safe housing with a supportive environment, and we provide that here at City Rescue Mission.”
To make a contribution, and to learn more about the City Rescue Mission’s programs and services, visit www.crmjax.org.
Operation Green Light (Clay County)
Green lights are lighting the sky throughout Clay County this week in support of our country’s veterans.
It’s called Operation Green Light, and it’s an initiative of the National Association of Counties and the National Association of County Veteran Service Officers.
The goal is to let our veterans know they are seen, appreciated, and supported.
Clay County’s goal is to create an unmistakable show of support for the men and women who dedicated their lives to our freedoms.
“We encourage everyone in our county to join in,” Clay County spokesperson Laura Christmas said. “Display a green light outside your home or business this week through Veterans Day. When you pass one of the lit buildings, pause for a moment and remember our nation’s heroes and the incredible service and sacrifice they have made for our great nation.
Veterans Day at Camp Blanding Museum event (Clay County)
Join Clay County officials in honoring our veterans at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Camp Blanding Museum.
“A commemorative ceremony will happen on the museum steps at 11:00 a.m.,” according to the website. “We invite you to stay for lunch which will be sold at WWII prices until 2:00 p.m.”
Free limited edition T-shirts will be given out to the first 100 veterans! More info
Downtown Fernandina Veterans Day Parade (Nassau County)
Fernandina Beach’s American Legion Post 54 will host a Veterans Day parade through downtown, starting at 11 a.m.
The parade route will run from Central Park along Ash Street, turning onto 2nd and then heading east on Centre Street back to Central Park.
A new brick paver park at the flag area around the American Legion Post 54 will be dedicated after the parade and the post will host an Open House.
Hotdogs and hamburgers will be served and there will be music by Island Vibe from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday.
Post 54 is at 626 S. 3rd Street, Fernandina Beach.
Flagler Veterans Day Parade in the City of Bunnell (Flagler County)
The City of Bunnell proudly announces the Flagler Veterans Day Parade, an event set to take place on Saturday, November 11, 2023. Commencing at 10:00 AM, the parade will honor and pay tribute to the courageous men and women who selflessly served in the U.S. Armed Forces. The procession will embark from the Historic Coquina City Hall and culminate at the Flagler County Government Services Building (GSB), where a touching Veterans Day ceremony will follow.
Traffic Advisory and Event Schedule:
On Saturday, November 11, 2023, at 10:00 AM, the Flagler County Veterans Day Parade will grace E. Moody Boulevard (SR 100) in the City of Bunnell. E. Moody Boulevard (SR 100) will be temporarily closed to vehicular traffic between US 1 and N. Palmetto Street from 9:00 AM until approximately 11:30 AM.
During this time, those aiming to attend the parade are advised to access side streets from US 1 northbound or SR 100 westbound for parking and joining the commemorative event. Vehicular traffic on US 1 is encouraged to utilize Belle Terre Boulevard or alternative routes to access SR 100. Meanwhile, SR 100 westbound will remain open to traffic and detoured at N. Palmetto Street to E. Magnolia Street for access to US 1.
The schedule for the day’s events is as follows:
- 8:00 AM: Parade Line-up Begins at Historic Coquina City Hall, 200 S. Church St, Bunnell
- 9:00 AM: Parade Route Closed to ALL vehicle traffic
- 10:00 AM: Flagler Veterans Day Parade Commences
- 11:00 AM: Parade Concludes (approx.)
- 11:30 AM*: Veterans Day Ceremony begins at the Flagler County Government Services Building
- Followed by a FREE BBQ Picnic sponsored by Woody’s BBQ at the GSB* *Timing subject to change
The parade, a testament of appreciation to our valiant veterans, will feature over 300 participants, including military units, marching bands, local organizations, and various community groups. They will march with pride and honor through the heart of Bunnell, recognizing the sacrifices and contributions of our esteemed veterans.
The entire community is encouraged to join us in honoring our local heroes. All local municipalities are participating and supporting this significant event, underlining the unity and gratitude we hold for all our veterans.
Kingsland Veterans Day Parade (Camden County)
The annual Veterans Day Parade in Southeast Georgia runs from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and is followed by a ceremony at Kingsland Veterans Memorial Park. Click here for more information.
“When each Veterans Day rolls around, then it’s time again for the annual Veterans Day Parade held in downtown Kingsland,” Explore Georgia said. “Sponsored by the VFW Post #8385, the parade honors veterans of wartime and peacetime and is a moving tribute to the heroes of our time. Following the 10 a.m. parade there will be a ceremony at the Kingsland Veterans Memorial Park starting at 11 a.m. For more information, contact VFW Post #8385 at 912-729-7933.”
Veterans Day was originally known as Armistice Day, which is still celebrated in other countries along with Remembrance Day, marking the end of World War I. Major hostilities in the war formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the eleventh month in 1918. At the urging of major U.S. veteran organizations, Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day in 1954 and is observed annually on Nov. 11 as a federal holiday in the United States.
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If your community is having a parade, let us know and we’ll add it to our list! Email cluter@wjxt.com.