Veterans Day Parade 2021: Start Time, Route and How to Watch Live
Rain or shine, the 2021 Veterans Day Parades will go ahead today across the country.
The biggest parade in the country will be held in New York City, and if you can't line the streets to watch it in person, you can catch it on TV or online too.
Current members of the armed forces, veterans and first responders will take part in the event while this year's Grand Marshall is retired U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant Kevin Carrick.
2021 will mark the 102nd annual Veterans Day Parade, as the year also marks the 20th anniversary of the response to 9/11 as well as the 30th anniversary of Operation Desert Storm.
There will be over 300 marching units, over 25,000 marchers, 30 floats and over 150 military vehicles featured in the 2021 New York City Veterans Day Parade.
What time is the 2021 Veterans Day Parade?
The participants in the 2021 New York City Veterans Day Parade will assemble at 8am.
The parade will officially step off and begin between noon and 12:30 p.m. and is expected to run for approximately three hours, finishing between 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The NYC Veterans Day Parade route
The traditional opening ceremony for the Veterans Day Parade will take place at Madison Square Park. The number of attendees at the opening ceremony, which will be held at the Eternal Light Memorial, will be significantly reduced.
The parade will then follow its traditional route, heading north along Fifth Avenue, starting at 25th Street.
The end point is expected to be adjusted depending on COVID-19 restrictions and conditions on the day but it will reach at least 40th Street.
How to watch the NYC Veterans Day Parade
Anyone in New York City can observe the parade in person on Fifth Avenue. Spectators will be able to line up anywhere from 27th Street up to the parade's end point, which is to be determined. In-person viewers are being reminded by event organizers to be mindful of health and safety practices.
If you can't attend to watch in person, the whole parade will be broadcast on television and online.
On TV, local channel WABC will air the entire event. Coverage of the parade will be live-streamed online, and the link to watch will become available on the event organiser's website.
Road closures in New York City
Traffic will be stopped during the parade. New York Daily News suggest the NYPD have said street closures along fifth avenue will begin at 11 a.m., before opening again at 5 p.m.
The 2020 NYC Veterans Day Parade featured no spectators but 2021 will be welcoming back in-person viewers so expect the streets of New York to be busy with pedestrians too.
