The annual Veterans’ Day Parade is usually held on November 11th each year in downtown Austin. The event kicks off at 9:30 AM from the Ann Richards / Congress Avenue Bridge and travels up to the Texas State Capitol Building. Viewing is available all along Congress Avenue and there will be a reviewing stand at the Stephen F. Austin Hotel at Congress and 7th. Stay for the 11 AM Ceremony at the South steps of the state Capitol.
The theme for this year’s Travis County and City of Austin Veterans’ Day Parade and Memorial Ceremony at the South Steps of the State Capitol will be announced after the events are approved. The Department of Veterans Affairs will announce the theme as the time draws near.
How to Participate
The Parade welcomes any group that wants to show support for the troops. Applications will open in September or as soon as the parade has approval to proceed.
We can always use extra funds to help support this event. The Parade is put on as a community service event, and any monetary donations are used to support it.
Parade Rules & Safety Guidelines
The Austin Veterans Day Parade Committee (AVDPC) is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for our participants and guests. We encourage you to review our safety and security information below prior to arriving at our events.
The AVDPC safety tips and guidelines are also provided by the City of Austin. Please download the City of Austin’s (PDF) for street closure information. Modified street closures will affect Congress Avenue on November 11th, beginning at 6:00 AM through 11:00 AM.
PARADE PARTICIPANT(S) RULES AND REGULATIONS
The Austin Veterans Day Parade is the one event for all citizens in Central Texas to come together and celebrate the service and sacrifice of all those brave men and women who have served and who continue to serve this great nation. The Austin Police, Fire, and Health officials remind the public that the events will be safe for all if everyone adheres to the rules and regulations:
- Appearance in the parade is prohibited for anyone who is not approved by the AVDPC.
- The Parade Committee reserves the right to restrict/deny participation by and participant/organization/group if their display is determined to evoke a negative emotional response.
- ALL Fireworks are prohibited.
- Parade participants may not wear face coverings or masks.
- No political groups, political signs, candidate campaign signs/literature, or handouts will be allowed in the parade.
- No political agenda or political issue(s) will be allowed to be displayed by a participant/group.
- No vulgar behavior, obscene gesture(s), offensive language, nudity or otherwise will be allowed by participants.
- Pets are not recommended along the parade route; keep them safe at home!
- No items may be sold along the parade route without a permit from the City of Austin.
- No public areas—sidewalks, curbs, gutters, streets, ramps—may be cordoned or roped off.
- There is no parking along Congress Avenue from the Ann Richards bridge to 11th Street. Vehicles blocking emergency travel lanes or parked in restricted areas will be towed at the owner’s expense, no exceptions. Pay attention to where you park and double-check for temporary No-Parking signs and other restrictions.
SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING
As part of ongoing efforts to provide a safe environment in which to enjoy Veterans Day, the Austin Veterans Day Parade Committee has partnered with the City of Austin and the Austin Police Department in “See Something, Say Something™,” a nationwide campaign to raise the public’s awareness of indicators of terrorism and to emphasize the need to report suspicious behavior promptly to the proper law enforcement authorities.
If you witness a crime in progress or other emergencies, call 9-1-1. For non-emergency matters, including activity that you believe to be suspicious, call the Austin Police Department at (512) 974-2000. You can also report criminal activity to CRIMESTOPPERS at (800) 222-8477 or online at www.austincrimestoppers.org. (Be sure to reference Pasadena if you use this method.)
You may also register for trusted, real-time public safety alerts by texting your zip code or 78701 for the Austin area to 888777 on your smartphone or register online at www.local.nixle.com. For local notifications, select Austin agencies within the Nixle site.
STAY CONNECTED
Austin Veterans Day Parade – @ATXVeteransDay
Austin Police Department – @Austin_Police
Travis Sheriff County – @TravisCoSheriff
Austin Fire Department – @austinfiredept
City of Austin – @AustinTXgov
AUSTIN VISITORS HOTLINE
If you have specific questions about your visit, you can speak to a live person by calling the toll-free visitor hotline courtesy of the Austin Visitors Center. The number is (866) GO-AUSTIN (512-478-0098).
PHOTOGRAPHY AND SOCIAL MEDIA
By attending, participating, or viewing the Austin Veterans Day parade, you enter an area where photography, audio, and video recording may occur. By attending the event, you consent to interview(s), photography, audio recording, video recording and its/their release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction to be used for news, webcasts, promotional purposes, telecasts, advertising, inclusion on websites, or any other purpose by AVDP and its affiliates and representatives. You release AVDP, its officers and employees, and each and all persons involved from any liability connected with the taking, recording, digitizing, or publication of interviews, photographs, computer images, video, or sound recordings.
By attending the event, you waive all rights you may have to any claims for payment or royalties in connection with any exhibition, streaming, web casting, televising, or other publication of these materials, regardless of the purpose or sponsoring of such exhibiting, broadcasting, webcasting, or other publication irrespective of whether a fee for admission or sponsorship is charged. You also waive any right to inspect or approve any photo, video, or audio recording taken by AVDP or the person or entity designated to do so by AVDP. You have been fully informed of your consent, waiver of liability, and release before entering the event.
