Photo by Eric Peterson
The Clams perform at the Veterans Day Celebration & Information Fair held Nov. 12, 2022, after the Southeast N.C. Veterans Day Parade.
Some offered services to vets. Sunset Slush serves up Italian ice. A line at Port City Plates food truck.
The Veterans Day Celebration and Information Fair, presented by the Southeast N.C. Veterans Day Parade, gives organizations that have services tailored to veterans and their families a chance to talk with the veterans, families and supporters who turn out for the annual parade, held each year on the Saturday closest to Veterans Day.
It started in 2021 at Riverfront Park and was moved the next year to Second Street between Market and Orange streets in downtown Wilmington.
The parade ends at Third and Market and disperses at Second and Market so participants move directly into the Celebration and Information Fair, which continues along a closed Second Street all the way to the Hannah Block Historic USO Building at Second and Orange, where events are scheduled throughout the weekend.
The event is free and all are welcome.
In 2022, the BB55 Battleship North Carolina Replica was on display, allowing a close-up look at the replica. Children donating $1 to the “Save the BB55 Battleship Replica Fund” received an I.D. Card making them an Honorary Admiral of the BB55.
An art show at the Historic USO featured fine art by local artists, with sales proceeds benefiting the Veterans Outreach Program in the fight against veteran suicide.
The Veterans Day Celebration and Information Fair starts at 11 a.m., just as the parade kicks off, and continues until mid-afternoon. In 2022, local bands Striking Copper and the Clams performed and food trucks served up treats.
Groups and individuals who would like a chance to interact with and hand out materials to veterans and their families and supporters can register to bring tables, displays and 10- by 10-foot canopy tents to set up in the street. Businesses that wish to participate are requested to become parade sponsors. Your donation entitles you to space in the official parade program as well as a place at the information fair.
For information about the 2023 Veterans Day Celebration and Information Fair, please email Si Cantwell at si.cantwell@gmail.com.
Striking Copper at the 2022 Veterans Day Celebration & Information Fair after the Southeast N.C. Veterans Day Parade in Wilmington.
