uminary File Photo The annual veterans day parade will be celebrated this year in Hughesville on Saturday, Nov. 10 starting at 2 p.m. The parade is expected to last about one hour and will start from the Lycoming County Fairgrounds.

HUGHESVILLE – Hughesville loves their parades and the borough is getting ready to host the annual Veterans Day Parade this year. After the Halloween parade tonight, the town will be preparing for the upcoming Veterans Parade scheduled for Saturday, November 10, rain or shine.

A committee has been meeting since January to organize floats and local sponsors. The route will begin from the Hughesville Fairgrounds where everyone is to meet at 1 p.m. for lineup. Beginning at 2 p.m. they will march from the fairgrounds to Main Street and head north to Walnut Street and from there to Railroad Street and end at the Hughesville Fire Hall.

So far close to 70 entries have registered according to Suzanne Holmes of Hughesville who is on the parade committee. Participating will be the school bands, area fire trucks, police, members of the American Legion, and veterans of Lycoming County. Other featured floats will be from Pennsylvania College of Technology, the Repasz Band, the Nittany Highland Pipe Band and RT Machine Company. “There are some huge floats, some with artillery,” Holmes said.

Randy Randall from Muncy will be pulling the Grand Marshall with his horses.

Richard Smith, Mayor of Hughesville, announced that Stanley Sones, a WWII veteran wounded in Normandy will be the Grand Marshall with the leading float followed by Parade Ambassador, William Sherwood, a retired Naval Captain.

Anyone who has served in the military are welcome to march in the Veterans Day Parade. All floats will be decorated to honor the veterans and their branch of service. According to Holmes there are 70 entries so far. Each year the parade is held in a different town. Therefore, Hughesville will be the host every 8 years.

After the parade, East Lycoming School Superintendent Michael Pawlik said the school will be providing a luncheon for all participants at the Lycoming Career and Technology Center. “We are hoping all veterans in the parade will stop by!” he announced.

Murray Motors is the title sponsor and a major contributor according to Lycoming County Veterans Parade Committee. At the start of the parade, Rev. Kozen will lead with prayer, Kathleen Radspinner will sing the ‘Star-Spangled Banner’ and ‘America the Beautiful.’ A 21 gun salute and Echo Taps will be performed in front of the judges who will be stationed on Main Street in front of the Collision Center on S. Main Street near the East Lycoming Historical Society.

At the beginning of the parade a vintage SNJ-4 airplane will be doing flyovers.

Judging the entries will be Suzanne Holmes, Commissioner Rick Mirabito, Martin Payne, and Linda Zarzyczny. Holmes said, “We are looking for that WOW factor, imagination and originality.”

Volunteers are needed to help hand out commemorative booklets, flags and t-shirts. Major Tom Boyle has offered to pick up residents who are veterans in the area nursing homes with the Herdic Trolley and take them to the parade. “We want to honor all deceased veterans and welcome those who are returning,” Holmes declared.

Mayor Smith added, “It is important we recognize the sacrifices of those who carried the torch of freedom throughout our history.”

Local businesses are encouraged to open their doors. Some will be offering discounts to veterans that day and also on Sunday, the official Veterans Day.

“This is a good time to reflect on the contributions of our wounded, the missing, the fallen and our families,” said Holmes.

Next year the Veterans Day parade will take place in Montoursville.