D-FW salutes Veterans Day with parades and flags

North Texas cities big and small make time this week for parades, festivals and flags honoring those who have served in the U.S. military. The Dallas parade has been canceled for 2021, but here is a lineup of Veterans Day programs taking place starting this weekend. Remember to check websites and social media for last-minute changes and for COVID-19 safety requirements.

American Heroes: A Salute to Veterans and First Responders

The Colony hosts a two-day family festival with live music on the concert stage, carnival rides, food booths and a beer garden. Lauren Alaina, a country music singer-songwriter and former American Idol contestant, headlines on Nov. 5, along with sets by Harper Grace and Dusty Black. Rockers Plain White T’s, Deep Blue Something and the Nixons start the music at 2 p.m. on Nov. 6. Patriotic ceremonies on both evenings will honor first responders and veterans.

Nov. 5 from 5 to 10 p.m., Nov. 6 from noon to 9 p.m. at The Colony Five Star Sports Complex, 4100 Blair Oaks Drive, The Colony. Free. thecolonytx.gov.

Grapevine Veterans Day Parade

Veterans and members of civic and service organizations will march through historic downtown Grapevine for the annual event, which honors Purple Heart recipients this year. The parade gets underway at 10 a.m. at Main Street and West Hudgins, continuing on Main to Wall Street. Post-parade activities include live music by Guitars for Heroes all-veterans band, a display of military vehicles, food booths and photo backdrops for selfies. A Veterans Fair will be set up in the parking lot behind Town Square Gazebo, 115 E. Worth St., from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visitors can talk to representatives from more than 15 organizations about veterans’ services and benefits.

Nov. 6 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Main Street between Wall Street and West Hudgins, Grapevine. Free. grapevineveteransparade.com.

McKinney Veterans Day Program

Traditionally held on the Saturday before Veterans Day, this year’s observance by the city of McKinney features music, remarks by veteran and former Collin County Judge Keith Self, the posting of colors and a flyover by vintage World War II aircraft.

Nov. 6 at 11 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park, 6053 Weiskopf Ave., McKinney. Free. mckinneytexas.org.

Farmers Branch Veterans Day Celebration

The outdoor festival in the park includes a caricature artist, photo booth, and food and beverage vendors. Country bands Straight Tequila Night and Toby Keith Tribute will perform, and the music will pause at 6:45 p.m. for a patriotic program. Bring proof of your U.S. military service past or present and receive some special gifts.

Nov. 6 from 4 to 9 p.m. at Farmers Branch Park, 13956 Dennis Lane, Farmers Branch. Free. farmersbranchtx.gov.

Flags of Honor

More than 1,100 American flags will fly at Plano East Rotary Club’s Flags of Honor field, each dedicated to a real-life hero. The display is open Nov. 6-13, and can be viewed virtually each day at facebook.com/planoflagsofhonor. On-site activities, excluding Nov. 8-9, include retro music by the Ladies for Liberty singers, a Note to a Hero letter-writing station and the 5:30 p.m. playing of taps. Special programs are planned for the Marine Corps anniversary on Nov. 10 and for Veterans Day on Nov. 11. New this year: Take a tethered ride on a hot air balloon for the perfect aerial view of the field. A portion of the $20 fee for the balloon ride will be donated to Flags of Honor. The field is located on the Spring Creek Parkway side of the park, next to the amphitheater.

Nov. 6-13 during daylight hours at Oak Point Park, 5801 E. Spring Creek Parkway, Plano. Free. planoflagsofhonor.org.

Mesquite Veterans Day Celebration

The City of Mesquite, in partnership with American Legion Post 504 and VFW Post 8785, celebrates with a program at the city’s Veterans Memorial. The program includes speakers, recognition of veterans, music and a ceremony. Commemorative Mesquite Veterans Memorial lapel pins will be given to attendees, while supplies last.

Nov. 7 at 11 a.m. at the Mesquite Veterans Memorial, 425 S. Galloway Ave., Mesquite. Free. cityofmesquite.com.

Tarrant County Veterans Day Parade

The Bells of Peace will toll, the cavalry will charge, and a 21-gun salute and military flyover will signal the start of the 102nd Veterans Day Parade in Fort Worth. The parade route starts at Panther Island Pavilion and travels south on Forest Park Boulevard along the Clear Fork section of the Trinity Trails System to Rotary Plaza (at Lancaster Avenue) and returns to Panther Island. Expect cheers as the Horse Cavalry Detachment of the 1st Cavalry Division from Fort Hood passes by, stopping on occasion to display the skills that horse-mounted cavalry have used for more than 200 years. The Tarrant County Veterans Association, organizer of the event, suggests packing a picnic to enjoy along the river as the parade rolls by.

Nov. 11 from 10:30 a.m. to noon, starting at Panther Island Pavilion, 395 Purcey St., Fort Worth. Free. fw2021vetsdayparade.org.

Veterans Day Celebration

A traditional 11th hour ceremony takes place outside North Richland Hills City Hall with the NRH Police and Fire Honor Guard presenting colors, a solemn wreath-laying service and patriotic entertainment.

Nov. 11 from 11 a.m. to noon at NRH City Hall Plaza, 4301 City Point Drive, North Richland Hills. Free. nrhtx.com.

Patriotic Pops with The Dallas Symphony

The U.S. Naval Academy Men’s and Women’s Glee Clubs and the Pipes and Drum Band join the Dallas Symphony for their Patriotic Pops concert with favorite songs, military marches and anthems.

Nov. 12-13 at 7:30 p.m., Nov. 14 at 3 p.m. at the Meyerson Symphony Center, 2301 Flora St., Dallas. $34-$171. dallassymphony.org.

Twitter: @NormaLCavazos