Old Soldiers Day Parade Honors Veterans Saturday

ALPHARETTA, GA — Alpharetta’s historic Old Soldiers Day Parade marches on as a tribute to all veterans of all wars. Nearly 150 units with floats, marching bands, military units, classic cars, clowns – and of course, candy, will happen on Alpharetta Saturday, Aug. 3.

The City of Alpharetta and American Legion Post 201 host the Annual Old Soldiers Day Parade. The goal of this parade is to celebrate American war veterans and recognize their service to the country.

The City band will begin on Roswell St at 9:15 a.m., the memorial service at 10 a.m. and the parade begins at 10:30 a.m. To view the parade, the Grandstand will be on Roswell Street. You may also bring a chair or a blanket and head south on Roswell Street for the parade; or take a right onto Old Milton Parkway from Roswell Street.

The parade ends at American Legion Post 201 on Wills Road where there will be free hot dogs, drinks and lots of activities.

The Old Soldiers Day Parade began years ago as a tribute to local Civil War veterans, but was discontinued after a few years. A few years after the conclusion of World War II, in 1952, a small group of Alpharetta men wanted to recognize local war veterans, started having a parade through Downtown, and Old Soldiers Day was reborn. Today, the local tradition lives on as a way to celebrate and honor all war veterans, especially those from Alpharetta, who have defended the rights and freedoms enjoyed by everyone in the United States of America.

Along with the program and parade, this celebration will also feature floats, high school bands, entertainment, children’s activities, and prizes. Free hot dogs and soft drinks will be available at the American Legion at 201 Wills Road, at the conclusion of the parade. With so much to celebrate, take this day to recognize the living memory of American War Veterans.