Tag Archives: Parade

Full day of events, recognition planned in Birmingham for Veterans Day

VeteransDay2013After gathering Monday night to honor former United States senator Bob Dole at the National Veterans Award dinner at the Sheraton Birmingham, a full day of events await the city as it stops to honor our military veterans. The calendar of events posted to the National Veterans Day’s website include:

The parade itself begins at 1:30 p.m. at 18th Street and Rev. Abraham Woods, Jr. Blvd. (a.k.a., 8th Avenue N.); the site also has a map of the parade route available for review. As it begins, UAB will be holding its third annual wreath-laying ceremony on the university’s Campus Green (1:30 p.m.) on the city’s Southside.

A live stream of the parade will be available on their site (click on the link to access the stream and to view previous parades).

The BJCTA (MAX) will be offering veterans free bus rides all-day on Tuesday; they must present an active military ID, VA Health card, or retired military identification card to the bus operator. See their flyer for more information. Veterans will also be offered free admission to all state parks and federal parks and sites, with the Birmingham Zoo extending the offer to current active military personnel as well.

Mardi Gras celebration in Five Points South tonight

Birmingham Carnival Society logoGood morning and laissez les bons temps rouler, Birmingham! This evening’s weather forecast (54° and no rain) is making it sound like it’ll be a nice one to head on out and join a parade…

The Birmingham Carnival Society is planning to once again hold a Mardi Gras parade (only the second one since 1901 according to their official website) in the Magic City starting at 8 p.m. from in front of the Mellow Mushroom in Five Points South (though the lineup will start closer to Tom & Jerry’s Chevron), ending at Rocky’s Pizza on Richard Arrington, Jr., Blvd.

People may enter floats up until the last minute, but maybe the fact that Good People Brewing Company has already committed will be reason enough for many to head on out. There is a $12 registration fee (to cover the costs of the parade permits).

Just in case you’re wondering – even though today’s Fat Tuesday, National Pancake Day is next week, February 28. This year IHOP hopes to raise $2.7 million for the Children’s Miracle Network (of which Children’s of Alabama is a part).

You can also get in the mood (if you’re allowed to watch at work that is) by checking out live cams from Mobile, New Orleans, and Trinidad in the West Indies.

Honoring our servicemen today

A reminder that Birmingham hosts the nation’s largest and oldest Veteran’s Day Parade this afternoon (Tuesday) in the city center. It will begin at 1:30 p.m.

We don’t have a pretty graphic showing you the route, but John Morse has created a parade route map for you with Google Maps and the official parade (and celebration) website has turn for turn directions for you to check out. Thanks to all of our armed forces, past and present, for all that they do.

Ensley Easter Parade and Gospel Concert, Ensley Commercial District

This is the event’s second year, and to celebrate, there’s a longer parade route!

This year’s parade will begin at Jackson-Olin High School. It will proceed down Avenue to 19th Street, Ensley where it will turn right. It will then follow 19th to Avenue D, where the gospel concert will begin at 12:30 p.m. It’s a great chance to head on over to Birmingham’s West Side and check out what’s going on.

For more information, including a list of gospel choirs performing and sponsors, visit Main Street Birmingham’s events calendar.

Cost: Free

Location:
Concert will take place at the corner of 19th Street Ensley and Avenue D