D-FW salutes Veterans Day with parades and flags

North Texas cities and towns alike are setting aside time this week for parades, festivals, and flags in honor of those who served in the U.S. military. The Dallas Parade has been canceled for 2021, but here is a breakdown of the Veterans Day programs taking place starting this weekend. Remember to check websites and social media for last minute changes and COVID-19 security requirements.

American Heroes: Greetings to veterans and first responders

The colony hosts a two-day family festival with live music on the concert stage, rides, food stalls and a beer garden. Lauren Alaina, a country singer-songwriter and former American Idol contestant, makes headlines on November 5th, along with sets by Harper Grace and Dusty Black. Rockers Plain White T’s, Deep Blue Something, and the Nixons begin the music on November 6th at 2pm. Patriotic ceremonies in honor of first responders and veterans will be held on both evenings.

November 5th from 5pm to 10pm, November 6th from 12pm to 9pm at The Colony Five Star Sports Complex, 4100 Blair Oaks Drive, The Colony. For free. thecolonytx.gov.

Grapevine Veterans Day Parade

Veterans and members of civic and service organizations will march through historic downtown Grapevine for the annual event, which this year honors Purple Heart recipients. The parade begins at 10 a.m. on Main Street and West Hudgins and continues down Main to Wall Street. Post-parade activities include live music by the all-veteran band Guitars for Heroes, an exhibition of military vehicles, food stalls, and photo backgrounds for selfies. A Veterans Fair will be held in the parking lot behind the Town Square Gazebo at 115 E. Worth St. from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visitors can speak to representatives from more than 15 organizations about veteran’s services and benefits.

November 6, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Main Street between Wall Street and West Hudgins, Grapevine. For free. Grapevineveteransparade.com.

McKinney Veterans Day program

This year’s McKinney City celebrations, traditionally held on the Saturday before Veterans Day, include music, remarks from Collin County veteran and former Judge Keith Self, paint application and a transfer of vintage WWII aircraft.

November 6th at 11 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park, 6053 Weiskopf Ave., McKinney. For free. mckinneytexas.org.

Farmers Branch Veterans Day Celebration

The outdoor festival in the park includes a cartoonist, photo booth, and food and drink vendor. Country bands Straight Tequila Night and Toby Keith Tribute will perform, and the music will pause at 6:45 pm for a patriotic program. Bring proof of past or current US military service and receive some special gifts.

November 6, 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Farmers Branch Park, 13956 Dennis Lane, Farmers Branch. For free. farmersbranchtx.gov.

The Rotary Club of Plano East celebrates Veterans Day by displaying hundreds of American flags for its flags of honor.(Monica Maldonado)

Flags of honor

More than 1,100 American flags will fly in the Rotary Club Plano East’s field of honor flags, each dedicated to a real hero. The exhibition is open from November 6th to 13th and can be viewed virtually every day at facebook.com/planoflagsofhonor. On-site activities, except November 8-9, include retro music by the Ladies for Liberty singers, a letter-writing station for taking notes to a hero, and playing taps at 5:30 p.m. Special programs are planned for the Marine Corps Jubilee on November 10th and Veterans Day on November 11th. New this year: take a tethered ride in a hot air balloon for the perfect aerial view of the field. A portion of the $ 20 balloon ride fee will be donated to Flags of Honor. The field is on the Spring Creek Parkway side of the park, next to the amphitheater.

6-13 November daylight at Oak Point Park, 5801 E. Spring Creek Parkway, Plano. For free. planoflagsofhonor.org.

Mesquite Veterans Day Celebration

The city of Mesquite, in partnership with American Legion Post 504 and VFW Post 8785, is celebrating with a program at the city’s Veterans Memorial. The program includes speakers, veteran recognition, music, and a ceremony. Pins commemorating the Mesquite Veterans Memorial will be given to attendees while supplies last.

November 7th at 11 a.m. at the Mesquite Veterans Memorial, 425 S. Galloway Ave., Mesquite. For free. cityofmesquite.com.

Tarrant County Veterans Day Parade

The peace bells will ring, the cavalry will attack, and a 21-gun salute and military flyover will mark the start of the 102nd Veterans Day Parade in Fort Worth. The Parade Route begins at Panther Island Pavilion and heads south on Forest Park Boulevard along the Clear Fork section of the Trinity Trails System to Rotary Plaza (on Lancaster Avenue) and returns to Panther Island. Expect cheers for the 1st Horse Cavalry Detachment. The Tarrant County Veterans Association, organizer of the event, suggests packing a picnic lunch to enjoy along the river as the parade goes by.

November 11, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., starting at Panther Island Pavilion, 395 Purcey St., Fort Worth. For free. fw2021vetsdayparade.org.

Veterans Day Celebration

A traditional 11th hour ceremony takes place outside North Richland Hills City Hall, where the NRH Police and Fire Honor Guard present colors, a wreath-laying service and patriotic entertainment.

November 11th, 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at NRH City Hall Plaza, 4301 City Point Drive, North Richland Hills. For free. nrhtx.com.

Patriotic pops with The Dallas Symphony

The US Naval Academy Men’s and Women’s Glee Clubs and the Pipes and Drum Band accompany the Dallas Symphony at their Patriotic Pops concert with favorite songs, military marches and anthems.

12-13 November 14th at 7:30 p.m., November 14th at 3:00 p.m. at the Meyerson Symphony Center, 2301 Flora St., Dallas. $ 34- $ 171. dallassymphony.org.

Twitter: @NormaLCavazos

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