Organizers seek entries for Veterans Day Parade
Cape Coral’s annual ode to veterans is looking to expand and elevate the way local heroes are honored.
Organizers of the Veterans Day Parade are looking to add numbers and are particularly interested in recruiting floats to drum up the pageantry.
“Every year we try to step it up a little,” said one of the organizers, Linda Biondi. “Our veterans are special, and we want them to have a special celebration of their day.
“We are looking at expanding and being a little creative in the staging area. That being said, we’ll be able to accommodate floats. Any group will have the opportunity to put a float in the parade.”
The parade takes place on Nov. 11 starting at 11 a.m. and will make its way down Cape Coral Parkway. The event is a cooperative effort of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department and local community volunteers.
Biondi said those interested in creating or entering a float will have to follow guidelines set up by the city’s Special Events team. She added there is a meeting scheduled for Sept. 8 to iron out more details when it comes to the staging area.
“Our Veterans Day Parade is the largest celebration in all of Southwest Florida,” Biondi said. “We are proud to be a part of it and are so happy that we are able to contribute to the celebration of all of our veterans.”
Groups the public can expect to see include the Blue Star Mothers, who will be utilizing the city’s boat. Biondi added that Gold Star Families would have access to the city’s pontoon boat if they wish and are free to decorate it how they see fit.
A new addition to the parade team this year is local Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran and Purple Heart recipient Michael Lipari.
“We are so happy to have him on our committee,” Biondi said.
The city’s Special Populations group will once again make bows to decorate the parade route. Organizers will have the reviewing area with bleachers set up on the corner of Vincennes and Cape Coral Parkway. The South Cape will be decorated in red, white and blue for the day.
“I would also encourage the storefronts along Cape Coral Parkway to decorate their storefronts in red, white and blue to honor our veterans as well,” Biondi said.
Those interesting in entering a float in this year’s Veterans Day Parade can contact Special Events at 239-573-3122 for dimension details. A deadline of Nov. 1 has been set for those looking to enter.
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To reach CJ HADDAD, please email cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com