Arlington shows off its patriotic spirit, stepping out with the inaugural Texas Veterans Day Parade in the city’s entertainment district on Nov. 11.
“The inaugural Veterans Day Parade is yet another testament to our community’s deep-rooted respect and gratitude for the brave men and women who have served our country,” said Arlington Mayor Jim Ross. “Arlington has a long history of supporting its veterans, and this parade is a wonderful opportunity for us to come together to honor their sacrifices and celebrate their contributions to our nation.”
Organizers are planning so much more than a parade for the afternoon event that will celebrate the nation’s veterans and active-duty military, from a mass swearing-in ceremony to a drone show and live music.
“This is an opportunity for our community to come together to show that they honor the vets,” said Kevin Donovan, chair of the Texas Veterans Day Parade in Arlington planning committee. “You don’t have to have a ticket. Anybody can go to these and be part of something bigger, to show their support for our service members.”
All events at the celebration are free.
A musical prelude starts at 3:30 p.m. November 11, followed by the invocation and national anthem at 4 p.m.
Master of ceremonies will be Barry Corbin, a native Texan actor who has starred in the television series “Northern Exposure,” “Yellowstone” and “Tulsa King” and feature films Urban Cowboy, Lonesome Dove and No Country for Old Men. Corbin, who served two years in the U.S. Marine Corps, will introduce Mayor Ross, who will start the parade with a flyover from Bell Helicopter.
Corbin will provide commentary from the reviewing stand on the north side of Choctaw Stadium.
Reigning over the parade will be Grand Marshal Major General Patrick Henry Brady, a retired U.S. Army officer who received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions in Vietnam.
Parade organizers are expecting up to 100 entries, including the National Medal of Honor, bands from all Arlington ISD high schools, the University of Texas at Arlington ROTC, and military units.
The parade will stage in the west parking lot at Six Flags Over Texas and wind through the entertainment district before ending in the Texas Rangers parking lot F.
After the parade, the party continues with a disc jockey at Texas Live!, followed by an induction ceremony of recruits into all branches of the U.S. military.
At 6 p.m., a drone show will be featured in the parking lot east of Globe Life Field by Sky Elements, the Coppell-based company that was featured on “America’s Got Talent.”
The event continues with live music at Texas Live!, starting at 7 p.m.
Applications for parade entries will be accepted through Oct. 11, along with sponsorships, at the parade’s website, arlingtonvetdp.org. For more information, contact info@arlingtonvetdp.org.
