PALM SPRINGS — One of the most beloved traditions in this community is the Annual City of Palm Springs Veterans Day Parade. This year marks the 23rd annual event and is expected to attract as many as 20,000 spectators on Monday, Nov. 11.

The parade will step off at 3:30 p.m. on Palm Canyon Drive at Ramon Road and heads north concluding at Alejo Road. Immediately following the parade, the Palm Springs High School Spirit of the Sands Band will perform a post-parade patriotic concert on the corner of Palm Canyon and Amado Road. The concert concludes with a fireworks finale.

This year’s theme is “Honoring All Who Served.” For the 10th consecutive year the Veterans Day National Committee of the Department of Veterans Affairs has designated the City of Palm Springs as a Regional Site for the observance of Veterans Day. Palm Springs is one of approximately 60 events in the country to receive this designation.

Highlights of this year’s parade include a special performance of the very moving musical piece “Here’s to the Heroes” sung by the Sweethots, ambassadors of the California Desert Chorale. This will be sung at the Opening Ceremony on the stage at Amado Road and Palm Canyon Drive at 3:30 p.m; featured in this year’s parade is Corporal Dorothee Irwin, a WWII Veteran, riding with her son, Lt. Col. Jim Irwin, a Palm Springs High School Graduate and former teacher at Palm Springs High School; also featured this year is former Mayor Will Kleindienst founder of the Veterans Day Parade who will be riding with Mayor Robert Moon.

Veterans from the Korean War era and Vietnam War era are invited to march and participate with the Korean and Vietnam Veteran parade entry. This entry marches at the end of the parade to remind everyone that no American veteran ever be forgotten or abandoned. Interested veterans wishing to participate in the entry are asked to show up the parade staging area located at the intersection of Ramon Road and Palm Canyon Drive by 3:00 p.m. on Veterans Day.

A multitude of sponsors make this parade possible: PS Resorts, Harold Matzner, Agua CalienteTribal Council, Palm Springs Disposal Services, Agua Caliente Casinos, Forest Lawn, SCE, Southwest Plumbing, Keenan & Associates, ERSC, Donna MacMillan, Desert Care Network, Molly Thorpe, Burrtec, Maryellen Hill & Associates, Tom Martin, Jessup Auto Plaza and Supervisor Jeff Hewitt.

Any business or individual interested in becoming a sponsor is asked to contact the parade coordinator, Michele Cirone-Collier at 760.323.8265 or via email at michele.cirone-collier@palmspringsca.gov.

Image Sources

  • Veterans Day Parade: City of Palm Springs