A Birmingham tradition: National Veterans Day Parade returns this Saturday

Being somewhat new to Birmingham, I find out interesting things about this city nearly daily. I bet YOU knew that Birmingham is the home of the country’s very first Veterans Day Parade.

With Over 80,000 guests in attendance, the National Veterans Day Parade in Birmingham, this one being the 69th, is known as one of the top Veterans Day celebrations in the country.

Thanks to Raymond Weeks, a World War II veteran from Birmingham, the idea to expand Armistice Day to all veterans was launched. In 1947, he began his campaign to make Veterans Day a national holiday.

Because of Weeks’ efforts, when Dwight Eisenhower was elected president, he signed legislation establishing November 11th as Veterans Day.

Bham Now photos from the 2016 National Veterans Day Parade in Birmingham

Weeks who was awarded the Presidential Citizenship Medal, led the first National Veterans Day Parade in 1947 here in Birmingham, and every year after that until his passing in 1985.

So Saturday, Nov 11, join your neighbors, find your favorite parade spot.  Cheer on our veterans, and our current armed forces. Watch local civic groups, veterans organizations, school bands and many more march through the Magic City. The parade officially begins at 1:30 pm.

Parade Route

• Start on 18th St. and 9th Ave N.
• South on 18th St. to 2nd Ave N.
• East on 2nd Ave N. to 22nd St.
• North on 22nd St. to 5th Ave N.
• West on 5th Ave N. to 19th St.
• North on 19th St. in front of City Hall
• End at 19th St. and 10th Ave N.

See you at the parade November 11th!

Following the parade, Watch the sky above our Vulcan. This free, 20 minute fireworks show, presented by Pyro Shows of Alabama, will begin at 5:30 pm and will be synced to a soundtrack aired live on 104.7 WZZK.