KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The city of Knoxville held its 97th Veterans Day Parade on Friday, and plenty of people showed up to honor veterans despite the rainy weather.
The parade began at 10:40 a.m. from Hill Avenue and proceeded north on Gay Street.
The procession halted at 11 a.m. near the Mast General Store for an Honor Guard ceremony, the National Anthem and the swearing-in of new Air Force recruits.
The parade, organized by the American Legion Post 2 with support from the city of Knoxville Office of Special Events, featured at least 85 parade units.
Women veterans were the special honorees at this year's parade. World War II Veteran Eileen Neiler served as Grand Marshal.
"We’ve worked with the American Legion, the Coliseum, Knoxville Police Department and our Engineering department to adapt the parade route and the staging and parking areas to accommodate the school groups coming downtown and the many veterans groups that participate in the parade,” Kyndra Brewer, Knoxville's special events director, said.