Want to Honor NC’s Military This Veterans Day? Here Are Nine Events Across the State.

North Carolina is home to the 7th-largest military population in the US. There are plenty of chances to honor these service members this Veterans Day.

Thursday is Veterans Day, a day when the nation pauses to honor those that have donned uniforms to serve in the nation’s military.

North Carolina is often called the most military-friendly in the nation, a distinction by the estimated 730,000 veterans who live here, 7th among US states. 

We’re also home to multiple military bases, among them the U.S. Marine Corps’ Camp Lejeune, the U.S. Army’s Fort Bragg, and the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.

Below is a list of some of the ceremonies, parades, and motorcycle rides being held in North Carolina’s small towns and cities across the state this Thursday and coming weekend.

Charlotte, Carolinas Veterans Day Event.

A family-friendly festival will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 pm. Thursday at Truist Field, 34 S. Mint St., in Charlotte. The free public event organized the Veterans Bridge Home non-profit and will start with a morning workout. Events later in the day include a free-fall parachute jump, bouncy houses, and an afternoon ceremony.  

Sign up for tickets here.  

Elizabeth City, Veterans Day Patriot Ride

This motorcycle ride will be from 10 am to 2:30 pm Saturday, leaving from VFW Post 6060 at 1433 N. Road St. in Elizabeth City.

Fayetteville, Wreaths Across America Veterans Day Ride

Motorcycles, cars, and trucks are invited to join an 11 am ride Thursday to the Sandhills Veterans Cemetery. The ride starts and ends at Fort Bragg Harley-Davidson, 3950 Sycamore Dairy Road in Fayetteville.

Franklin, Veterans Day Parade

This mountain town in Macon County will host a parade at 11 am in downtown Franklin featuring the Franklin High School Marching Panthers. Veterans are invited to march in the parade as well, and can line up at 10 am outside the lower-level parking deck at Franklin City Hall, 5 W. Main St. 

Goldsboro, Wayne County Veterans Day Parade

The parade begins at 11 am Thursday at the intersection of North Center Street and Ash Street in Goldsboro. 

Hope Mills, Veterans Day Ceremony

A memorial will be held at 3 pm Thursday at Hope Mills Veterans Memorial Park, 5766 Rockfish Road.  The event is being put on by the town, the veteran support organization Through Tragedy Comes Light, and VFW Post 10630.  

Huntersville, Veterans Day Ceremony and Parade

This Saturday parade through Huntersville’s downtown Veterans Park starts at 10 am and returns to the park for an 11 am ceremony.

Morehead City, Veterans Day Ceremonies

On Thursday, the Morehead City Historical Preservation Society will hold ceremonies at 10:30 am at the Bayview Cemetery. The group will honor three British sailors killed defending the coast during World War II before crossing the cemetery and honoring American veterans at 11 am.

Tarboro, Veterans Day Memorial, Tarboro

This outdoor event at Edgecombe Community College will begin at 12 pm Thursday outside the campus’ Fleming Building, 2009 W. Wilson St. in Tarboro. Masks are encouraged in outdoor spaces and required indoors.