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St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Lee Enterprises

Tuesday, November 3, 2009 10:08 PM CST
Entries sought for Vets Day parade

By HERB MEEKER, Staff Writer
hmeeker@jg-tc.com

MATTOON — Participants don’t have to be a veteran to join in the Veterans Day parade next week.

The parade, by local veterans, welcomes civilians during the procession on Nov. 11. This year marks the 90th anniversary of the first Armistice Day holiday in this country. Armistice Day was the day when World War I ended in 1918, but it became an annual holiday to honor the veterans, and was declared Veterans Day more than half a century ago.

So far there are only a few entries for the Veterans Day parade, but Mattoon Tourism Director Angelia Burgett said entries do show up the morning of the parade during lineup. The parade lineup starts at 9 a.m. Wednesday, and the parade steps off from Western Avenue and 21st Street at 10 a.m. that day.

“We just want people to come out and support the veterans along the parade route. We have parade sign-up forms at City Hall. But they can show up that day,” Burgett said.

This has been a popular year for parades in Mattoon with the Bagelfest and Fourth of July processions drawing large numbers of entries. Veterans Day can be hampered by foul weather, but Burgett said the event will step off in any kind of weather.

“No matter what, the veterans will march,” she said.

The parade ends at Sixth and Broadway with a Veterans Day ceremony at Peterson Park.

“I think most people realize that day is for honoring veterans so they do turn out,” Burgett said.

This is not the last parade of the year for Mattoon. The Christmas parade will step off at 1 p.m. Nov. 28, a Saturday, along the traditional route. Burgett said the theme for that parade is “Christmas Stories and Legends.”

“We’re encouraging people to sign up for that parade by Nov. 13. That way we can have the lineup set,” she said.

Contact Herb Meeker at hmeeker@jg-tc.com or 238-6869.

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