The City-Parish and the Mayor-President’s Advisory Council on Veteran’s Affairs will host the Capital Region Veterans Parade on November 16, 2019. The event is being held the same day as Louisiana’s run-off election. After casting ballots, citizens are encouraged to make their way to the Riverfront Plaza at noon to celebrate and honor the veterans of Louisiana who fought for our right to vote.
Jonathan "Boogie" Long will be kicking off the festivities at the Riverfront Plaza stage at 11 a.m. At noon, the parade will commence with a flyover by two F-15C aircraft from the 159th Fighter Wing in New Orleans, followed by school bands, ROTCs, and veterans from across the Capital Region. The parade will roll down River Road from North Street to Government St., ending in front of the USS Kidd Veterans Museum.
The festivities at the plaza will continue after the parade. Speakers will include Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome and General Russel Honoré. Jonathan "Boogie" Long will finish off the event with a final set.
The Grand Marshals of this year’s parade are three World War II veterans, all over the age of 100: Warrant Officer Johnnie A. Jones Sr., 101 – Army; Corporal Leon Dixon Sr., 104 – Army; and Army Private First Class Lawrence Brooks, 110, who is the oldest World War II veteran in the nation.
Food for participants will be sponsored by Waffle House and Raising Canes. Attendees can look forward to food from Barbosa BBQ, Curbside Burgers, Caribbean Express, and the VFW Auxiliary, all available for purchase in front of the Riverfront Plaza.