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Visit the town of Warsaw on Saturday, Nov. 2, and join the town’s largest and most awaited celebration honoring our nation’s heroes as the Warsaw Chamber of Commerce presents the 104th Veterans Day Celebration and Parade.
The Warsaw Veterans Day parade has become a cherished tradition in the Warsaw community, eagerly anticipated by families each year. This annual celebration is the longest-running consecutive Veterans Day observance in the country, dating back to 1921. It also serves as the state’s official Veterans Day parade.
Last year, over 100 groups participated in the parade, creating a festive display nearly a mile long. Participants included Department of Defense and school marching bands, JROTC units, homecoming queens and kings, Sudan Cruisers, Shrine Clubs, VFW posts, first responders, churches, and various car and motorcycle clubs. This year, organizers expect an even larger turnout.
“We have about 120 units registered,” Carolyn Quinn with Warsaw Chamber of Commerce told Duplin Journal, adding that this year they will have a kids’ zone, two bounce houses, a mini putt-putt course, food trucks, concessions, vendors, and crafts, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
Celebrations honoring veterans will start Friday night with a Boy Scout flag retirement ceremony at the Warsaw Methodist Church parking lot on Plank Street at 7 p.m.
The festivities continue on Saturday with a pancake breakfast hosted by St. John’s Masonic Lodge #13 at Warsaw Baptist Church on College Street, followed by a Veterans of Foreign Wars memorial service, a poignant moment that underscores the town’s immense pride in honoring the sacrifice of veterans. The memorial service will be at 10 a.m. at the Veterans Park on Railroad Street.
The ceremony will be followed by the presentation of the parade marshal and honorees, paying tribute to the brave men and women of our armed forces. This year’s parade marshal is retired Army Sgt. Maj. William Watson from Wallace.
The parade festivities will begin with the NC Forest Service flyover and the 82nd Special Forces Parachute Jump Team presentation of the U.S. Flag.
The event will feature live music by the 581 South Band, and the parade will officially kick off at 11 a.m. on Railroad Street.
After the parade, the Warsaw Fire Department will host an Open House from noon to 3 p.m.
Additionally, tours of the Veterans Museum inside the L.P. Best House on Hill Street will be available 1-3 p.m. The weekend celebrations will conclude on Sunday, Nov. 3, with a Gaylon Pope Gospel concert at Warsaw Baptist Church at 4 p.m.
