National Veterans Day Parade in Birmingham — where to watch and who is coming [MAP]

Today, the organizers of the 76th  Annual National Veterans Day announced this year’s lineup and parade route through downtown Birmingham.

Longest-running Veterans Day parade in America

The Magic City is home to the longest-running Veterans Day parade in the nation. 

The national holiday was the brainchild of Birmingham native Raymond Weeks, a World War II veteran who led a delegation in 1947 to lobby General Dwight Eisenhower to change the existing Armistice Day to Veterans Day. 

Seven years later, President Eisenhower signed legislation making Veterans Day a permanent national holiday on our calendar.

Below is a video Bham Now produced about Weeks’ great-grandson and family’s continued connection to the local event and holiday.

Details about the 2023 National Veterans Day Parade

What should we expect to happen at the 2023 version of the parade? 

Rain or shine, the parade is on Saturday, November 11, 1:00PM. It begins at the Alabama Power Building on 18th Street and ends on 19th Street by City Hall.

This year’s route is slightly modified. Here a map:

Who is participating?

• Veterans service organizations
• Members of the U.S. armed forces and Alabama military supporters
• Local color guards
• High school bands and drill teams
• Miss Alabama Brianna Burrell
• Local Shriners
• “Hank” the Horse

“This is such a unique event for our city and for honoring the many men and women who have served and currently serve our country. We invite individuals and families to join us downtown to help us celebrate, remember and pay homage to those who have given their all for the U.S. and its people.”

Mark Ryan, President of the National Veterans Day Parade

For more information, please visit nationalveteransday.org.

Have you ever been to the Veterans Day Parade in Birmingham? It is a treat. Tell us your favorite memory of the parade by tagging us on social media at @bhamnow