CRESTVIEW — This fall, area residents might celebrate Veterans Day on the holiday's Nov. 11 date, rather than the Saturday before, if a request before the city council is approved.
City leaders are expected to discuss the issue during their next meeting, 6 p.m. May 13 at city hall.
Events organizer Deborah "Pinky" Jimison, of the Crestview Veterans of Foreign Wars post, said she brought the matter before the council at other veterans’ request.
In past years, the city's downtown parade has occurred the Saturday before Veterans Day while a "Wall Ceremony" honoring veterans' sacrifices occurs on Veterans Day itself.
However, organizers envision a daylong observation of downtown Veterans Day events, beginning with the 9 a.m. parade on Main Street, followed by the "11-11-11" Wall Ceremony at the Okaloosa County Veterans Memorial, Jimison said. Other events could include a downtown festival with vendors, food and exhibits honoring local veterans, for which organizers would like to collaborate with the Main Street Crestview Association.
Public Works Director Wayne Steele said his crews would need two hours before the 9 a.m. parade to set up barricades on Main Street.
Police Chief Tony Taylor said his officers could readily handle rerouting downtown traffic, along with setting up and taking down parade barricades.
Councilman Tom Gordon noted that some downtown businesses will be closed for the holiday and would be unaffected by the morning street closure.
Council President Robyn Helt suggested researching the proposal before taking action on it.
Want to go?
The Crestview City Council will discuss whether to allow a daylong downtown Veterans Day observance on Nov. 11. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. May 13 at the City Council chamber in City Hall.
Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: VFW asks Crestview council to allow Veterans Day parade Nov. 11