Veterans Day 2021 events, fundraisers, concerts and ceremonies in Southwest Florida

Veterans Day is Thursday, Nov. 11, and many fundraisers, concerts, ceremonies and other events are scheduled for the holiday. Here are some of the ways you can celebrate and honor our U.S. military veterans all week long:

WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY, NOV. 10-15

Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall: A traveling,three-fifths-scale replica of the Washington, D.C., Vietnam Memorial visits NaplesChurch. The nearly 300-foot-long wall will be available for view from Wednesday through Monday, Nov. 10-15. Free. The wall will travel to the church with an escort at 10 a.m. Wednesday from Bonita Grande Publix and along Livingston Road South and Immokalee Road. NaplesChurch, 10910 Immokalee Road, Naples. 898-5354 or napleschurch.com/traveling-vietnam-memorial-wall

THURSDAY, NOV. 11

Fort Myers Veterans Day Parade: The annual parade usually happens in downtown Fort Myers, but it moves to the Edison Mall parking lot this year due to the Fort Myers Boat Show in downtown. It starts at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 11, at the former Sears building. Then the parade travels south toward J.C. Penney and then around the rest of the mall parking lot. Free. Edison Mall, 4125 Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers. facebook.com/EdisonMall

Cape Coral Veterans Day Parade: This community parade is organized by the city’s Parks and Recreation Department and other local supporters. It starts at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 11, in downtown Cape Coral and travels west along Cape Coral Parkway from Cape Coral Street to Chester Street. Free. Downtown Cape Coral. facebook.com/capecoralspecialevents

Collier County Veterans Day ceremony: This ceremony includes music by the Pine Ridge Middle School Symphonic Band, a drill team demonstration by Barron Collier High’s JROTC, an invocation and address by Lt. Col. Chris Walters (a 25-year Marine Corps veteran with multiple Middle East deployments), the ringing of 21 bells for the “Bells of Peace”; singer Steve Smith; a flyover with U.S. Air Force Maj. Jessica Stearns in a 1945 Piper L4/J3.; and the dedication of a permanent “Missing Man Chair”, a memorial dedicated to MIAs and POWs who haven’t made it home. 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 11. Free. Visitors are asked to bring seating. Cambier Park, 755 Eighth Ave. S., Naples. 370-5428

Midpoint Madness Veteran’s Day 5K: Join hundreds of runners and walkers for this annual nighttime 5K on the Midpoint Bridge, which will be closed from 6-9 p.m. during the event. The race ends at Royal Palm Square, where there will be awards and refreshments. All proceeds benefit the Fort Myers YMCA. 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 11. Registration fee is $30 ($20 for veterans). Midpoint Bridge and Royal Palm Square in Fort Myers. runsignup.com/Race/FL/FortMyers/MIDPOINTMADNESSVeteransDay5K

The Edison Estates: Veterans get free admission to the Edison & Ford Winter Estates on Thursday, Nov. 11, including a self-guided tour of the historic homes, gardens, laboratory and museum. A five-piece brass band from Brass Music Elements performs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Regular admission is $15-$25. Edison & Ford Winter Estates, 2350 McGregor Blvd., downtown Fort Myers. 334-7419 or edisonfordwinterestates.org

Power of Gratitude Drive-Thru Lunch: Gulf Coast Village celebrates veterans and active-duty military with this free meal for past and present military members. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 11. Free. Gulf Coast Village, 1333 Santa Barbara Blvd., Cape Coral. To sign up for a pick-up time, call 323-9267 or visit GulfCoastVillage.com/Events.

Some Celebration for Veterans

Veterans Day 2021 events, fundraisers, concerts and ceremonies in Southwest Florida

WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY, NOV. 10-15

THURSDAY, NOV. 11

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