Downtown parade, church breakfast not planned this year
Gilmer County’s military men and women will not go unnoticed on Veterans Day, as two local events that have long been held annually will take place this year.
There will be an honorary program and complimentary lunch held at the Lions Club Fairgrounds, confirmed Sam Burrell, Ellijay Lions president and Veterans Day event organizer.
The program with a guest speaker and music will start promptly at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11.
The fairgrounds will allow for seating to be spread out more than it can be at the usual downtown roundabout location. Attendees can arrive early for the event, Burrell noted.
“They’ll come in the main gate and we will have parking. We are recommending masks (be worn by attendees),” he said.
The event’s guest speaker will be Ret. U.S. Marine Col. Michael Nunnally, a resident of Blue Ridge. Music will be provided by the Gilmer High School Chorus and singers from Ellijay First Baptist Church, Burrell noted.
Following the program, a complimentary barbecue lunch will be served for veterans and guests inside the Lions Club building. For safety reasons and to keep the line moving quickly along, the luncheon, which is traditionally held in cafeteria line fashion, will transition to a boxed meal setup this year.
Event attendees are welcome to stay and eat at the Lions Club where seating will be arranged with distancing in mind, Burrell noted.
“They will come through the line and we will hand them a plate that’s all ready. We will have four areas staged out where they can eat,” he added.
Two other Ellijay events that are typically held on Veterans Day are not being planned this time around due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Burrell noted. Neither the parade through downtown, nor the complimentary breakfast for veterans usually held at Ellijay First United Methodist Church will go on this year, he confirmed.
After cancellations befell 2020’s Georgia Apple Festival and Gilmer County Fair, both big events that are also fundraisers for the Lions Club, the civic group still wanted to do something special for veterans this year, Burrell said.
“We’ve done alternate rain plans before, but never an alternate no parade (plan). So it is unique this year. We’re flexible and we do what we can. We want to make sure we recognize the veterans and keep that rolling,” he added.