The city of San Marcos, with assistance from the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee, will be hosting a month of service opportunities for the community to honor all who have served. These opportunities are in addition to the traditional Veterans Day Parade, which is held annually the Saturday before Veterans Day. The public is encouraged to decorate their home, vehicle, bike, and/or place of business with flags, bunting, yellow ribbons and other patriotic items for the month of November. The public is also encouraged to turn their porch light green for the month for the “Greenlight a Vet” initiative.
2024 Weekly calls to action: Nov. 3-9 – Honor a Veteran: Submit a photo of a veteran you wish to honor to our San Marcos Veterans Story Map with the name and a brief description of that person. The story map is an interactive map with pictures and service stories of Veterans from all wars.
Nov. 9 – Celebrate our Veterans at the annual Veterans Day Parade in downtown San Marcos. The parade begins at 10am. More information can be found below.
Nov. 10-16 – Donate to Wreath’s Across America: Donations made will go towards a remembrance wreath being placed on gravesites of veterans buried in the City of San Marcos Cemetery on Dec. 14, 2024. Click here to sponsor a wreath or sign up to volunteer.
Nov. 17-23 – Write a letter: The public is encouraged to write a letter to a veteran living in a Texas State Veteran Home. The Veterans Land Board Mail Drop Program allows us to show appreciation for a Veteran and their service and dedication to our great nation.
Nov. 24-30 - Support the Hays County Food Bank. Food items can also be ordered on Amazon and delivered to the Food Bank. Monetary donations can be made online at the Hays County Food Bank's donation webpage or by mailing them a check.
Veterans Day Parade Event Details Date: Saturday, Nov. 9 at 10 a.m., with pre-parade activities on the Hays County Courthouse lawn beginning at 9am.
Honoring All Who Served the United States of America is the theme of the Veterans Day Parade, sponsored by the City of San Marcos with assistance from the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee. Veteran groups, military organizations, civic clubs, bands, drill teams, public officials, equestrians, youth teams, classic vehicles and others are invited to join the Veterans Day Parade. There is no fee to participate; the deadline is Nov. 1 at 4 p.m.
Parade Route The parade will begin on Hopkins Street at the intersection of CM Allen Parkway and will travel toward the Hays County Courthouse. After passing the Courthouse, the parade will turn left onto Guadalupe Street, then turn left onto San Antonio Street, travel down San Antonio Street and turn left onto CM Allen Parkway. The parade will then turn right onto Hopkins Street where they will return to the line-up area for disbanding. Street closures for the parade will begin at 7:30 a.m. No access to the San Marcos Activity Center will be permitted and the facility hours are delayed until the parade is over. The San Marcos Public Library will be open for regular business, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Parking is available at City Park, the Old Fish Hatchery Building, and Rio Vista Park. Additional limited parking will be available downtown outside of the road closure area. Handicap parking is available at Veramendi Plaza Park.
Kiwanis Club Kids Bicycle Brigade The Kiwanis Club of San Marcos is celebrating over 100 years of service to youth in our community! Get your bikes and helmets ready to show your support for Veterans by decorating and riding your bike in the parade. The San Marcos Kiwanis Club will be on hand to help you decorate your bikes, trikes, and scooters from 9 to 10 a.m. preceding the parade. Free flags, streamers, and sign materials will be available on the Courthouse lawn. Kids will then join in as the Kiwanis Club members escort you into the parade and ride around the Courthouse. Ages 5 and older please. Pre-registration is not necessary. Participants will be entered into a drawing for a free bicycle, sponsored by Academy.
