City to honor veterans with week of events; government shutdown could impact participants
Events kick off at this week’s VillageFest and end with an appreciation dinner next week. The government shutdown might prevent some active duty military from marching in the city’s annual parade on Nov. 11.
Palm Springs will honor military veterans with a series of community events starting this week under the theme “Honoring All Who Served,” though organizers say a government shutdown may affect military participation in the city’s annual parade.
The commemoration begins Thursday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at VillageFest on Palm Canyon Drive in Downtown Palm Springs. Community members can write letters of thanks to veterans and they will be distributed throughout the next week.
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The 28th annual Palm Springs Veterans Day Parade will take place Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. downtown. The parade will travel from Ramon Road to Alejo Road along Palm Canyon Drive.
At a Main Street Palm Springs meeting Tuesday, organizers said the government shutdown is expected to affect military participation in the parade. Many military forces may be unable to participate, and confirmation about their involvement should come within the next couple of days.
The city of Palm Springs has been designated as a regional site for Veterans Day observance by the Veterans Day National Committee of the Department of Veterans Affairs for more than 10 years. The Palm Springs parade is among the largest in Southern California.
The parade is scheduled to feature military units, marching bands and veterans’ organizations. A patriotic concert by the 300th Army Reserve Band will follow, with a fireworks finale. The main stage will be located at Amado Road and Palm Canyon Drive.
On Wednesday Nov. 12, veterans and active-duty military members are invited to a complimentary dinner from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Downtown Park, 230 Museum Drive. A patriotic concert will follow from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The Palm Springs Parks and Recreation Department will provide the dinner. Each attending veteran will receive a letter of thanks, a challenge coin and an American flag.
Veterans can pick up letters and challenge coins from previous years at VillageFest on Thursday.
Additional information is available at psveteransday.com, by email at events@palmspringsca.gov or by calling 760-323-8272.
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