This Veterans day there are many of ways to celebrate those who have served our great county. Arizona offers a wide variety of ways to honor our veterans.
Commemorate Veterans Day by heading outside to enjoy our beautiful state and save a little money while you take in nature. Arizona national parks are offering free admission on Veterans Day, Sunday, Nov. 11. This is the last of the national parks’ free admission days for 2018.
Grand Canyon, Sunset Crater and Wupatki national monuments in Flagstaff and Saguaro National Park in Tucson Saguaro National Park in Tucson are included.
Free admission will be offered at national forests too.
On Nov. 10-11, Tonto National Forest is waiving its Tonto Pass requirement at recreation sites along the Salt and Verde rivers and at Apache, Bartlett, Canyon, Roosevelt and Saguaro lakes.
In Sedona, Nov. 10-12, the Red Rock Ranger District of Coconino National Forest is waiving fees at many locations. Visitors can get free admission to the Palatki, Honanki and V Bar V heritage sites, and the Red Rock Pass requirement is waived at many trailheads. Fees will still apply at campgrounds and sites managed by concessionaires.
On Nov. 10, Prescott National Forest will waive the $5 fee at all its day-use locations. Fees will be waived at the Lynx Lake, Granite Basin and Thumb Butte, Alto Pit and Hayfield Draw off-highway vehicle recreation areas.
Bearizona Wildlife Park in Williams is also joining in the celebration and will waive admission fees for veterans and active-duty military on Nov. 11.
Where To Celebrate In Metro Phoenix
‘Honoring Our Veterans’
Saturday, Nov. 10th
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Pioneer and Military Memorial Park
1313 W. Jefferson St., Phoenix. Free. 602-885-2939
RSVP to [email protected] in advance
Set at an historic final resting place for many of the Valley’s noteworthy settlers, participants will learn more about military burials at the cemetery following a ceremony honoring visiting veterans. In addition, a special Vietnam veteran lapel pin will be issued to those who served from Nov. 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975.
Veterans Day Gourd Dance
Sunday, Nov. 11
11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Pueblo Grande Museum
4619 E. Washington St., Phoenix.
602-495-0901
phoenix.gov
The Arizona Territory Gourd Society will perform its 19th annual gourd dance in honor of all those who have served. In addition, the Pueblo Grande Museum is offering free admission from 11 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., giving insight to Native American ceremonial dance, art and culture at an preserved ancient site once that was once the home of the Sonoran Desert People. Free event.
Phoenix Veterans Day Parade
Monday, Nov. 12
11 a.m.-1 pm
North Phoenix Baptist Church
5757 N. Central Ave., Phoenix.
480-772-2934
www.nphx.org
The parade route runs south on Central Avenue from Montebello Drive, turns east on Camelback Road and continues on Seventh Street before de-staging at Indian School Road. This year’s theme is “Out of the Trenches: A Century of Remembrance” and commemorates the hundredth year since the signing of the Armistice, ending World War I.
Scottsdale Veterans Day Commemoration
Friday, Nov. 9
3 p.m.
McCormack-Stillman Railroad Park
7301 E. Indian Bend Road.
480-312-2312.
The city of Scottsdale is recognizing veterans who served in the Vietnam War and includes a program featuring Scottsdale historian and veteran Joan Fudala, the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 432 Honor Guard, bugler Gil Gifford and keynote speaker Capt. Larry Ernst.
Veterans Day Concert
Sunday, Nov. 11
2 p.m
Episcopal Church of the Nativity
22405 N. Miller Road, Scottsdale
artsatnativity.org
Veterans will read poems and the Apollo High School choir will provide a special offering of entertainment to commemorate and honor those who have served. Donations will be accepted, free event.
Veterans Day Walk
Saturday, Nov. 10
7:45-10:30 am
McDowell Sonoran Preserve – Lost Dog Wash Trailhead
12601 N. 124th St., Scottsdale
Free, donations welcome
480-998-7971
mcdowellsonoran.org
Historian Len Marcisz will lead a 150-minute long hike over a three-mile stretch of gently rolling terrain Saturday morning culminating in a special ceremony at its completion.
Tempe Veterans Day Parade
Sunday, Nov. 11
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
300 S. Mill Ave., Tempe
Free
downtowntempe.com
This traditional parade will serve be full of patriotic fun and spectacle. The parade route begins at ASU Gammage and travels north to Tempe Beach Park, where a brief ceremony and picnic will take place.
East Valley Veterans Parade
Monday, Nov. 12
11 a.m.
Parade route runs south on Center Street to First Street then goes west on First Street, Mesa
Free
evvp.org
Join the community as a thank-you parade to service members. The Mesa-based parade runs southbound beginning at University Drive and Center Street and turns west onto First Street before ending at Robson Road.
Code Talkers in WWII
Sunday, Nov. 11
2-4 p.m.
Cave Creek Museum
6140 E. Skyline Drive, Cave Creek
Cave Creek Museum admission: $5-$7
480-488-2764
cavecreekmuseum.org
Learn about the Navajo Code Talkers of World War II and their impact in the victory as part of the Cave Creek Museum’s Second Sunday event series.
Soldier’s Best Friend 8th Annual Golf Tournament
Saturday, Nov. 17
8 a.m.-2 p.m.
The Legend at Arrowhead
21027 N. 67th Ave., Glendale
$115-$155
623-218-6486
legendatarrowhead.com
Tee off and assist veterans living with combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder and other injuries. This tournament raises funds to provide them with a service or therapeutic companion dog.
Surprise 4th Annual Veterans Day Parade
Monday, Nov. 12
9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Surprise Recreation Campus
15960 N. Bullard Ave., Surprise
623-222-2000
surpriseaz.gov
Honor those who have served in Surprise’s fourth annual parade which will include 100 entries including floats, marching bands and color guards. A $5 pancake breakfast at the centerfield concourse will be served beginning at 7 a.m.
Rally Point Arizona Run and Family Festival
Saturday, Nov. 10
8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Peoria Sports Complex
16101 N. 83rd Ave., Peoria
$25.50-$45
rpazrun.phxfr.org
Support veterans by running a half marathon or 5K at the Rally Point Arizona Run. All proceeds will go to Rally Point Arizona, an organization that seeks to prevent veteran suicides through its “Reach out. Check in. Save a life”.
2018 Veterans 5K Fun Run
Sunday, Nov. 11
8:30 am-12 pm
Estrella Mountain Community College
3000 N. Dysart Rd., Avondale
$20; $8.59 veterans
602-418-5771
estrellamountain.edu
The city of Avondale and the Estrella Mountain Community College Veterans Center are kicking off Veterans Day with a fun run at 8:30 a.m., followed by a breakfast and ceremony at 9 a.m. Proceeds will help finance the new Southwest Valley Veterans Center at Luke Air Force Base. Registration is required.
Goodyear Veterans Day Tribute
Nov. 11
2-4 p.m.
Goodyear Ballpark
1933 S. Ballpark Way, Goodyear.
Free
goodyearaz.gov
Pay tribute to the sacrifices of our servicemen and women at the Goodyear Ballpark, where an flag garden, military displays and performances will surge a feeling of patriotism.
Anthem Veterans Day Ceremony
Sunday, Nov. 11
10 a.m.
Anthem Veterans Memorial
41703 N. Gavilan Peak Pkwy., Anthem
Free
onlineatanthem.com
Vietnam veteran Jim Zwit, who was injured during a fatal firefight in the A Shau Valley of Vietnam in 1971, will deliver the keynote address. Bring their own lawn chairs or blankets.
