ORLANDO, Fla. – The city of Orlando will host its 23rd annual Veterans Day Parade through downtown on Saturday.
This year’s parade at 11 a.m. will salute the 80th anniversary of the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAACs) and the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVEs).
Recommended Videos
[SIGN UP! Get the Central Florida Happenings newsletter here | Check out more Central Florida Happenings]
“This year’s parade will open with a tribute to those who have fought for our country and defended our freedom, led by Mayor Dyer and local veterans,” according to the city’s website.
Three grand marshals will lead the parade:
- Navy Petty Officer Third Class Dorothy “Pat” Rudd. Officer Rudd is 101 years old and joined the Navy in 1943. She was one of the first 200 WAVES to go to Pearl Harbor.
- Army Major Lorraine Holland. Major Holland went active duty in 1975 as a Private in the Womens Army Corp (WAC) and was the first woman to graduate from Army’s Machinist course in 1976. She currently serves as the president of the Military Association of America Central Florida Chapter.
- Marine Corps Private Sallie Amato. Private Amato joined USMC Womens Reserve immediately after high school and was assigned field music duties. She was a bugler and had the pleasure of playing bugle calls daily.
Opening ceremonies will take place at Orange Avenue near Central Boulevard. The parade route will begin at Robinson Street and Orange Avenue before turning onto Central Boulevard where it will hang a sharp left onto Rosalind Avenue before ending at Robinson Street.
After the parade, participants can continue to honor veterans at the city’s first Veterans Day Celebration event from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Lake Eola Park which will feature music food and “fun for the whole family.”
Parade spectators should utilize the Central Garage located at 55 West Central Boulevard and the Library Garage at 112 East Central Boulevard via Pine Street for parking.
Road closures associated with parade staging will run from 7 a.m. through 3 p.m. on Orange Avenue, Amelia Street, West Concord Street, Livingston Street and Robinson Street. Closures along the parade route will run from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Central Boulevard and Rosalind Avenue.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: