In Their Honor Parade Is November 7 (Not Nov. 11) — What COS Families Need to Know

The Colorado Springs Veterans Day Parade — officially named "In Their Honor" — takes place this Saturday, November 7, at 11:00 AM. The date is worth noting specifically: the parade is not on November 11, which is Veterans Day itself. It moves to the preceding Saturday each year to allow for the best attendance, and the distinction matters for planning purposes.

Colorado Springs is one of the most veteran-dense cities in the United States, home to Fort Carson, Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever Space Force Base, the Air Force Academy, and NORAD. The Veterans Day Parade is the signature annual event for the local military community, and it draws a real crowd. If your family has never attended, this is one of the more worthwhile community events COS offers.

Grand Marshal: 103-Year-Old Navy Commander Jesse Kimber

This year's Grand Marshal is Jesse Kimber, a 103-year-old retired U.S. Navy Commander being honored as a Rosie the Riveter figure. Organizers have asked women attending the parade to dress as Rosies along the route as part of the tribute.

A public art display, "Salute from the Springs," will accompany the parade as well. The display is a community art project created in partnership with local organizations ahead of the event.

Commander Kimber's selection as Grand Marshal at 103 years old is a notable moment for the parade and for the local community. For families with children old enough to understand the history, it's a rare opportunity to see a living connection to World War II-era service.

Watching with Kids

The parade runs for about one to two hours depending on the size of the field. The best viewing spots tend to fill up, particularly near the start of the route at St. Vrain, so earlier arrival makes a difference. There are no assigned viewing areas — families typically find a section of sidewalk along Tejon and claim it.

Younger children may find the duration challenging. The parade includes marching bands, military units, floats, and vehicle displays. Military equipment and vehicles — tanks, artillery pieces, and other hardware — tend to be crowd favorites for kids. The marching band sections also draw strong reactions from younger children.

Dress in layers. November mornings in Colorado Springs run cool, and even with sunshine the temperature along a downtown street at 9:00 or 10:00 AM can be in the 40s. By parade time at 11:00 AM the conditions are usually more comfortable, but the earlier you arrive, the colder it will be.

Veterans Job Fair — November 10

For military families looking for employment resources, a Community and Veterans Job Fair is scheduled for Monday, November 10, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Colorado Springs Event Center, 3960 Palmer Park Blvd. The event is separate from the parade and open to the public.

Quick Reference: In Their Honor Veterans Day Parade

What's Next

November in Colorado Springs has more going on after the parade. Skate in the Park opens at America the Beautiful Park on November 13, and the Turkey Trot 5K is November 26. See our November family events roundup for the full calendar.