The Huntersville Veterans Day Parade steps off at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, and North Main Street closes from 7:30 a.m. Here is every closure, where to park and the ceremony time.

Huntersville’s 11th annual Veterans Day Parade steps off at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14. A ceremony follows at 11 a.m. at Veterans Park, 201 Huntersville-Concord Road.

This year’s parade marks America’s 250th anniversary. Veterans Park will show a replica of the Declaration of Independence and a display of 26 historic U.S. flags, the town said in its event announcement.

The town runs the event with American Legion Post 321 and American Legion Auxiliary Unit 321. Admission, parking and activities are free.

Grand marshal

John Wilkins is this year’s grand marshal. He was chosen by the Marine Corps League Bruce Larson Detachment 1242, according to the town’s parade page.

Wilkins served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1975 to 2005, including Desert Shield, Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He retired as a master gunnery sergeant. His father, James H. Wilkins, was a World War II veteran.

Roads that close

The town listed these closures for the morning:

Time Road closed
7:30 to 11 a.m. North Main Street, Bigham Street to Huntersville-Concord Road
9 to 11 a.m. North Main Street, Bigham Street to Greenway Avenue
9 to 11 a.m. Greenway Street, Main Street to North Old Statesville Road (N.C. 115)
9 to 11 a.m. Old Statesville Road (N.C. 115), Mount Holly-Huntersville Road to Sherwood Drive
9 to 11 a.m. Gilead Road and Huntersville-Concord Road, Sherwood Drive to Main Street

N.C. 115 and Gilead Road are the town’s main downtown through routes, so expect to detour around downtown for most of the morning.

Where to park

The town named six parking areas:

  • Veterans Park
  • the Town Center parking deck
  • the South Main Street parking lot
  • the Arts and Cultural Center parking lot
  • Holbrook Park
  • the downtown greenway parking lot

Join the parade

Groups can still apply to walk, drive or ride in the parade, and there is no fee. Awards go to the best adult group, youth group, marching band, performance group, themed float and ROTC marching unit, plus the most patriotic group.

The town’s events manager takes applications and questions at 704-766-2213.

What it means for you

  • Going: arrive before 9 a.m. and park at one of the six lots above. The ceremony at Veterans Park starts promptly at 11 a.m., the town said.
  • Driving through: avoid downtown between 7:30 and 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14. Our road construction and closures page has the other closures in town.
  • Town offices are closed Wednesday, Nov. 11, for Veterans Day, according to the town calendar. Trash pickup does not change for the holiday; our trash and recycling page has the schedule.

The rest of the month’s events are on our things to do page.