Veterans Day Parade will march downtown

The Oak Harbor Veterans Day Parade is returning to Pioneer Way.

“We’re going to take it downtown, because that’s where we’re at,” said Matthew Williams, executive director of the Main Street Association, which is taking the helm of the parade this year.

This year’s celebration of those who served is at 1 p.m. Nov. 12 because Nov. 11, the traditional Veterans Day, falls on a Sunday this year. There is no grand marshal this year, but more than 100 NJROTC cadets, the Oak Harbor High School band, girl scout troops, active duty service members, Canadian service members and other groups will all take the stroll down the historic street.

Williams said association will give out small American flags to spectators at the beginning of the event. Other organizations will be allowed to register to be in the processesion, but that doesn’t change the focus of it, he said.

“It’s going to be a Veterans Day parade. It’s not a promotional time for any one organization,” he said. “It’s about honoring the veterans and the sacrifices that they’ve made.”

Terry Lacey spearheaded the effort that brought the parade to the streets of Oak Harbor in 2012. Organizers were unable to put on the parade in 2016, but it returned last year.

Veterans Day Parade will march downtown