Flags, families and numerous spectators will line Auburn’s Main Street for the 56th annual Veterans Parade to be held on Saturday, Nov. 6 at 11 a.m. It will proceed west on Main Street from E Street to A Street NW near Auburn City Hall over a period of approximately two hours. The City of Auburn is proud to be celebrating its 56th anniversary of this signature event, which started in 1965. Over the years, Auburn’s Veterans Parade has become one of the largest of its kind in the United States. The National Veterans Day Committee and the US Department of Veterans Affairs have once again selected the City of Auburn as one of the few Regional Sites for Veterans Day Observance in 2021. The City of Auburn is pleased to be hosting this event and proud to also be a Vietnam War Commemorative Partner and will also be paying special tribute to the service, valor and sacrifice of those who served in the Vietnam War.
This year’s parade boasts over 160 entries and nearly 4,000 parade participants showcasing American strength of will, endurance and purpose. The parade will feature nearly over 10 marching bands, including American’s First Corps Band from Joint Base Lewis McChord and Navy Band Northwest. Spectators will be treated to several local Junior ROTC units, honor guards, military units and antique military vehicles. Spectators will also enjoy the procession of veteran units, drill teams, community and scouting groups, intermixed with floats, antique and classic cars and other entries of interest.
Spectators are advised to arrive early, bring a folding chair, a flag, their best salute and plenty of tissue. A handful of food vendors will be available on South Division Street, along with our media partners, Talk Radio 570 KVI, KOMO News Radio AM 1000/97.7 FM and KOMO 4. Parade emcees, Lee Stoll and Theron Zahn of KOMO 4 will be located at the corner of Main and Division. Denise Whitaker and Preston Phillips will provide shortened emcee comments at the corner of Main and B Street NE.
COVID-19 INFORMATION
The Veterans Parade will follow all current mandates from King County Public Health that may be in place on November 6, 2021. As such, we will require all spectators age 5 and older to wear a mask while attending the parade, regardless of vaccination status. Parade participants are required to wear a mask in the parade line-up area.
Parade participants may remove their masks if inside a vehicle with only their direct household members. All employees are also required to wear a mask. The only exceptions are for people with medical conditions and when guests are eating and drinking and marching band participants when on the parade route.
Social distancing is encouraged for parade participants and spectators.
For more information about Auburn’s 56th annual Veterans Parade and the related activities, visit http://www.auburnwa.gov/vets or contact the City of Auburn Parks, Arts & Recreation Department at 253-931-3043.
Two other events are being held as part of the annual Veterans Parade & Observance:
American Legion Community Breakfast
Saturday, Nov. 6, 7 – 9:30 a.m., Auburn Senior Activity Center
Co-sponsored by the American Legion Post #78 and the City of Auburn, the annual American Legion Community Breakfast is held at the Auburn Senior Activity Center, 808 Ninth Street SE, on Saturday, Nov. 6 from 7 – 9:30 a.m. A generous breakfast for $9 includes pancakes, eggs, ham and juice or coffee. Tickets available in advance or at the door. Verification of vaccination and/or negative COVID-19 test is required by Public Health Seattle & King County to enter the breakfast. All customers are also required to adhere to the prescribed indoor mask mandate, wearing a mask/face covering over their nose and mouth while in the facility, unless eating or drinking.
Downtown Auburn Cooperative’s Beer Garden
Saturday, Nov. 6, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. B Street Plaza, adjacent to 144 E Main Street
NEW this year! A partnership between the Downtown Auburn Cooperative and the Auburn VFW Post 1741 will fill the B Street Plaza with a Beer Garden and Poppy Sales. B Street Plaza sits along the parade route, just east of the Grandstand. The Beer Garden will be featuring a beer called ‘Uncommon Valor’ by Rail Hop’n Brewery that was made as a fundraiser for the Auburn VFW. It’s a single malt, single hop, citrus IPA brewed by Vets for Vets. Other beers and a hard seltzer also available. 12 oz. pours will be $5 each, with 50 cents for every beverage sold being donated to the Auburn VFW Post 1741. Cheers!
