There are a variety parades, celebrations and ceremonies all around the Valley this weekend honoring our veterans.
Phoenix Veterans Day Parade
The parade’s Celebrity Grand Marshal will be Loretta Swit, best known for her role as Major Margaret Houlihan in “M*A*S*H.” She’ll appear along with seven grand marshal veterans from WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. More than 2,500 participants with floats, bands, marching units and more will move along the parade route that runs south on Central Avenue from Montebello Drive then turns east on Camelback Road and continues south on Seventh Street before de-staging at Indian School Road.
Details: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11. Parade route runs through Phoenix. Free. phoenixveteransdayparade.org.
Tempe Veterans Day Parade
All community members are invited to celebrate and honor veterans at this year’s Tempe Veterans Day Parade. There will be plenty of patriotic fun during this hometown tradition. The parade route begins at Mill Avenue and Curry Road and travels south to ASU Gammage.
Details: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10. Mill District, 300 S. Mill Ave., Tempe. Free. downtowntempe.com.
Gilbert Veterans Day Ceremony
Celebrate patriotism and American pride by honoring our veterans at the Gilbert Veterans Day Ceremony. The ceremony is open to the public, and veterans are encouraged to attend. There will be a presentation of colors, music by local schools and a special guest speaker. After, a free lunch and beverages will be served.
Details: 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 9. Gilbert Civic Center, 50 E. Civic Center Drive, Gilbert. Free. gilbertaz.gov.
Glendale Veterans Day Ceremony
Celebrate veterans at this annual Veterans Day event with keynote speaker Lieutenant Colonel David S. Clukey, a U.S. Army Phoenix Recruiting Battalion Commander. After the ceremony, the public is invited to attend a flag retirement ceremony hosted by the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary. Bring worn flags to the ceremony for this protocol retirement event.
Details: 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11. Glendale Public Library Auditorium, 5959 W. Brown St., Glendale. Free. glendaleaz.com.
Goodyear Veterans Day Tribute
This event will pay tribute to the men and women of the armed forces. There will be an interactive flag garden, military displays and patriotic-themed youth performances. A formal tribute will take place at 3 p.m. In addition, there will be a mobile museum and patriotic chalk art.
Details: 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11. Goodyear Ballpark, 1933 S. Ballpark Way, Goodyear. Free. goodyearaz.gov.
AZCAF Gathering of Legends
Meet and shake hands with heroic veterans who served in conflicts from WWII through today. Get up close with some of the rarest airplanes in the world while touring exhibits and artifacts. The guest speaker will be John Mollison, author, artist and creator and host of the On-Demand series “Old Guys and Their Airplanes.”
Details: 1-4 p.m. p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11. Arizona Commemorative Air Force Airbase, 2017 N. Greenfield Road, Mesa. Free with museum admission. azcaf.org/event/gathering-of-legends/.
Surprise 3rd annual Veterans Day Parade
Celebrate with red, white and blue as the city of Surprise honors the service and sacrifice of its veterans in its 3rd annual parade. This parade will have close to 100 entries including floats, motorized units, and high-school marching bands and color guards. A pancake breakfast starts at 7 a.m. before the parade at the centerfield concourse. The breakfast costs $5 per person the day of.
Details: 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11. Surprise Recreation Campus, 15960 N. Bullard Ave., Surprise. Free. surpriseaz.gov.
Anthem Veterans Day Ceremony
Sgt. Major Jennifer L. Simmons will present the keynote address. Simmons conducted three overseas deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and has received multiple awards. Shana Edwards, a Prescott High School junior, will read her award-winning essay, “Courage.” Special music will be provided by Arizona Voices, and the annual Veterans Service Award will be presented.
Details: 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11. Anthem Veterans Memorial, 41703 N. Gavilan Peak Pkwy., Anthem. Free. onlineatanthem.com.
East Valley Veterans Parade
The 2017 East Valley Veterans Parade has a theme of Honor and Remember in partnership with the Honor and Remember Organization. The parade starts at University Drive and Center Street in Mesa. The announcer for the parade, the bleachers and stage will be located at Center Street and Second Street. The dignitaries and judges bandstand and the VIP bleachers with handicap seating will be at First Street and MacDonald along the parade route.
Details: 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11. Parade route runs south on Center Street to First Street then goes west on First Street, Mesa. Free. evvp.org.
5th annual Veterans Day Concert
One of the most popular musical offerings every year for Arts at Nativity is the Veterans Day Concert. This year veterans will read poems, and a choir, soloist and instrumental ensemble will provide special music under the direction of Ilona Kubiaczyk-Adler, artistic director. Donations will be accepted.
Details: 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12. Episcopal Church of the Nativity, 22405 N. Miller Road, Scottsdale. Free. artsatnativity.org.
