80th Veteran’s Day Parade takes place in downtown Savannah

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - The Savannah community is honoring its veterans and their service to the country on Veterans Day.

Fighting stopped on the Western Front in World War I at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. That was more than a century ago.

The annual Veteran’s Day Parade took place on Wednesday, Nov. 11, in downtown Savannah beginning at 10 a.m., with street closures along the parade route beginning at 6 a.m.

WTOC asked the community to submit pictures of a veteran they love; see pictures below:

Downtown Savannah streets to close Wednesday for Veterans Day Parade

Traffic will be rerouted on several downtown Savannah streets Wednesday morning for the 2026 Veterans Day Parade. The parade will start at 10 a.m. Nov. 11 and end at about 3 p.m.

Street closures

The following streets will be closed from 6 a.m. until 3 p.m.:

• Abercorn St. from Duffy St. to Liberty St.
• Liberty St. from Abercorn St. to Montgomery St.
• Montgomery St. from Liberty St. to Broughton St.
• Broughton St. from Montgomery St. to Price St.
• E. Bolton St. from Drayton St. to Habersham St.
• E. Waldburg St. from Drayton St. to Habersham St.
• E. Park Ave. from Drayton St. to Habersham St.
• Lincoln St. from Duffy St. to Gwinnett St.
• Abercorn St. from Duffy St. to Gwinnett St.
• Gwinnett St. from Drayton St. to Habersham St.

No parking zones

No parking zones will be in effect from 5 a.m. until after the parade ends on these streets:

• E. Bolton St. from Drayton St. to Lincoln St.
• E. Waldburg St. from Drayton St. to Lincoln St.
• E. Park Ave. from Drayton St. to Lincoln St.
• Gwinnett St. from Drayton St. to Lincoln St.
• Lincoln St. from Duffy St. to Gwinnett St.
• Abercorn St. from Duffy St. to Gwinnett St.
• Abercorn St. from Gwinnett St. to Liberty St.
• Liberty St. (north side) from Abercorn St. to Montgomery St.
• Montgomery St. from Liberty St. to Broughton St.
• Broughton St. from Montgomery St. to E. Broad St.

The no parking zones will not be marked before the event. Notices will be posted in affected areas throughout the rest of the week. Vehicles that remain in no parking zones after the indicated times will be towed at the owner’s expense.

Parade end point

The parade is expected to disband on Broughton St. at Habersham St. at about 3 p.m. SPD asks drivers to plan their routes and use caution and patience during the event.

More information about upcoming event road closures is available here.

PARADE DAY!

Savannah honored veterans and their service to the country Wednesday with its 80th Veterans Day parade.

Fighting on the Western Front in World War I stopped at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

Parade participants and route

Richard Towns, an Army veteran, and fellow Green Berets were among hundreds of service members who took part in the parade.

“So many people gave so many sacrifices that we should be thankful and dedicated to remember them and remember our country,” Towns said.

The parade ran from Liberty Street to Broughton Street. Police, firefighters, veterans associations, school bands, and ROTC and JROTC programs also took part.

Veterans share thoughts

Doug Andrews, an Army veteran and the parade’s honorary grand marshal, said the support means a lot. He said the day also brings some fallen service members to mind.

“It feels great when you walk by, people say hello and they smile at you and they say thank you for your service. And I just remember those who didn’t come home,” Andrews said.

The parade has been held for 80 years.

Sam Pemberton, an Army and Coast Guard veteran, said the community’s gratitude never gets old.

“I’ve lived in this area for 10 years and it blows me away every time that I see this parade. Just with the amount of gratitude that this city extends to its veterans. It’s very, very humbling and exciting to see,” Pemberton said.