BIRMINGHAM — Birmingham, home of the first Veterans Day celebration, marks the holiday Wednesday with the 79th National Veterans Day Parade downtown and free admission for veterans and military families at the Birmingham Zoo and Vulcan Park & Museum.
The parade runs 1-4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, with military units, marching bands, JROTC groups, color guards and historical floats. This year’s theme is “Salute to the First 250 Years of Veterans.” Admission is free, and the parade airs live on Alabama Public Television.
The route starts at 18th Street and Ninth Avenue North, runs south on 18th Street to Fourth Avenue North, east to 22nd Street, north to Sixth Avenue North, west to 19th Street, then north past City Hall, ending at 19th Street and 10th Avenue North.
In 1947, Birmingham veteran Raymond Weeks organized a day to honor all veterans. The local celebration grew into the national holiday.
The Birmingham Zoo, 2630 Cahaba Road, offers free admission Wednesday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., to veterans, active-duty and retired military members and up to five dependents with valid identification. All other visitors get $5 off admission.
Vulcan Park & Museum, 1701 Valley View Drive, offers free admission to veterans and their families Wednesday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. General admission is normally $4-$8.
Veterans and active-duty military also get free admission Wednesday to Alabama state parks that charge entrance fees, including Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham.