Veterans Day Parade in Savannah moved to Saturday

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - The 2022 Veterans Day Parade in Savannah has been moved to Saturday, Nov. 12.

Due to impacts from Nicole, the decision was made to move the parade from the originally scheduled time on Friday.

Parade organizers put up signs along the parade route warning drivers of the upcoming road closures for the parade.

“We’re getting the stage in place, making sure all the barricades are up, making sure the signs in the different areas we have to block are up,” said Chairman Joe Higgins, with the Chatham County Veterans Council.

As organizers say, moving the parade back a day due to tropical storm Nicole has presented some challenges.

“It’s been difficult at best to be able to move a parade 24 hours but we do have it ready to go.”

The parade will take more than 100 bands and organizations from Abercorn and Gwinnett to Liberty Street.

From there, the route will go to Montgomery Street and back down Oglethorpe before ending near Crawford Square.

“You can feel the excitement of the people around the right just enjoying, having a good time, and celebrating the veterans.”

And there’s growing excitement about a new addition this year.

The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps... one of the premiere military bands is set to lead the parade.

“It’s really an honor to have them here. And they said it was an honor for them to be here. As a matter of fact, I’ve talked to several of them and they said they want to come back next year. And I wasn’t about to have them go back to Washington and not participate,” said Mike Brady with Parade Adjutant.

While organizers admit the date change has brought down the number of participating bands, they’re excited about those who will perform as they march through the streets.

And despite weather woes, organizers say the challenges are worth it to honor veterans.

“This is something that needed to be done. I wasn’t going to just let it go by the wayside and until next year.”

Organizers say that the road closures and barricades will start at around 5 a.m. Saturday.

The chairman of the Chatham County Veterans Council said despite the challenges of moving this event back a day, it’s important they still have the parade.

“You get a lot of people throughout the course of the year that’ll thank us for our service and things of that nature. And while we appreciate that, we do want to get out there and just showcase what, as far as veterans, we offer the community,” said Joe Higgins, the chairman of the Chatham County Veterans Council.

The parade is set to begin at 9 a.m. WTOC will broadcast the parade Saturday morning from 10 a.m. to noon.

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