Veterans Day is Nov. 11, but a parade celebrating it and honoring Hawaii Island’s veterans will grace downtown Hilo’s streets on Saturday.

The parade will start at 10 a.m., rain or shine, at Wailoa State Recreation Area on Piopio Street. The parade begins mauka on Pauahi Street with a right turn onto Kilauea Avenue, then continues on Keawe Street, turning right onto Waianuenue Avenue with a final right turn onto Kamehameha Avenue, returning to the starting point.

Participants are to assemble at 9:30 a.m. Pauahi Street will be closed at about that time, with the route street closing incrementally as the parade progresses.

“Parade participants can park in the State Building parking lot (on Aupuni Street),” said Deb Lewis, a retired U.S. Army colonel and the parade chairwoman.

The parade theme is “Celebrate Service” in honor of Vietnam Era veterans, who’ll also be honored collectively as the parade’s grand marshal.

“We’re very excited about the groups that are coming,” Lewis said. “We want Vietnam Era veterans to participate because they’re the ones that have had to deal with so much. They can walk or we’ll have some transportation for them.”

Vietnam Era veterans unable to participate in the parade are welcome to watch under the cover of a 120-foot tent, Lewis said.

At 9:15 a.m., prior to the parade, The Daughters of the American Revolution Hawaii Loa Chapter will host a ceremony at the Vietnam War Memorial, the eternal flame next to Wailoa Center, to honor Gold Star families. The DAR is also the parade’s community marshal.

“They do so much for our community,” Lewis said. “… They used their genealogy skills to put together a book that has all the clippings and information about those from this island who gave their lives during the Vietnam War.”

Serving as the parade’s business marshal is Hawaii Building Supply.

As always, there will be music amid the military units, local dignitaries, community and business floats and convertibles. Bands include the Hawaii County Band, Hilo High School Viking Band, the Navy’s Pacific Fleet Band, Waiakea High School Warrior Band, Hilo Union School Kazoo Band and Taishoji Taiko.

Detroit wheels also will be on display, with Hawaii Classic Cruzers driving their gleaming specimens of American automotive muscle.

“This is the first time classic cars have been in the parade,” Lewis said.

In addition, a number of Vietnam Era veterans will cruise the route in an all-original Volkswagen 1968 crew-cab truck.

For those prefer the heavy-metal roar of two-wheelers, Vietnam veteran Jerry Chang is leading a group of motorcyclists patterned after the Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Rally hosted in Washington, D.C., every Memorial Day weekend.

“We call ours Aloha Thunder,” Lewis said.

As always, the parade is family friendly, Lewis said.

“We’re going to be giving out a bunch of stickers and candy. And flags are going to be handed out, of course.”

In addition, Lewis said, there will be a “Welcome Home” ceremony for Vietnam Era veterans at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-Purpose Stadium. It’s free and the public is invited.

Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.

Veterans Day is Nov. 11, but a parade celebrating it and honoring Hawaii Island’s veterans will grace downtown Hilo’s streets on Saturday.

The parade will start at 10 a.m., rain or shine, at Wailoa State Recreation Area on Piopio Street. The parade begins mauka on Pauahi Street with a right turn onto Kilauea Avenue, then continues on Keawe Street, turning right onto Waianuenue Avenue with a final right turn onto Kamehameha Avenue, returning to the starting point.

Participants are to assemble at 9:30 a.m. Pauahi Street will be closed at about that time, with the route street closing incrementally as the parade progresses.

“Parade participants can park in the State Building parking lot (on Aupuni Street),” said Deb Lewis, a retired U.S. Army colonel and the parade chairwoman.

The parade theme is “Celebrate Service” in honor of Vietnam Era veterans, who’ll also be honored collectively as the parade’s grand marshal.

“We’re very excited about the groups that are coming,” Lewis said. “We want Vietnam Era veterans to participate because they’re the ones that have had to deal with so much. They can walk or we’ll have some transportation for them.”

Vietnam Era veterans unable to participate in the parade are welcome to watch under the cover of a 120-foot tent, Lewis said.

At 9:15 a.m., prior to the parade, The Daughters of the American Revolution Hawaii Loa Chapter will host a ceremony at the Vietnam War Memorial, the eternal flame next to Wailoa Center, to honor Gold Star families. The DAR is also the parade’s community marshal.

“They do so much for our community,” Lewis said. “… They used their genealogy skills to put together a book that has all the clippings and information about those from this island who gave their lives during the Vietnam War.”

Serving as the parade’s business marshal is Hawaii Building Supply.

As always, there will be music amid the military units, local dignitaries, community and business floats and convertibles. Bands include the Hawaii County Band, Hilo High School Viking Band, the Navy’s Pacific Fleet Band, Waiakea High School Warrior Band, Hilo Union School Kazoo Band and Taishoji Taiko.

Detroit wheels also will be on display, with Hawaii Classic Cruzers driving their gleaming specimens of American automotive muscle.

“This is the first time classic cars have been in the parade,” Lewis said.

In addition, a number of Vietnam Era veterans will cruise the route in an all-original Volkswagen 1968 crew-cab truck.

For those prefer the heavy-metal roar of two-wheelers, Vietnam veteran Jerry Chang is leading a group of motorcyclists patterned after the Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Rally hosted in Washington, D.C., every Memorial Day weekend.

“We call ours Aloha Thunder,” Lewis said.

As always, the parade is family friendly, Lewis said.

“We’re going to be giving out a bunch of stickers and candy. And flags are going to be handed out, of course.”

In addition, Lewis said, there will be a “Welcome Home” ceremony for Vietnam Era veterans at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-Purpose Stadium. It’s free and the public is invited.

Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.