April 17, 2017 – West Bend, WI – The city of West Bend will be hosting Loyalty Day in 2017.
The event, which will feature a huge parade, will be Saturday, April 29.
Loyalty Day is observed nationally. All VFW Posts will be invited to take part, but so are all other veterans organizations, bands, marching units and others from across Wisconsin.
The event will kick off with a parade beginning at Badger Middle School at 9:30 a.m., followed by a celebration at Regner Park.
Guest speakers include VFW Commander-in-Chief Brian Duffy. The parade grand marshal will be Gov. Scott Walker. West Bend Mayor Kraig Sadownikow is also on the list of dignitaries.
Volunteers have already lined up four bands including the West Bend High School Marching Band and the River City Irregulars. Awards will be handed out for Best Marching Band Unit, Best Commercial Unit, Best Youth Organization, along with several others.
Be part of Loyalty Day in West Bend
Be part of the Loyalty Day celebration with your name or business in a special program. The colorful program will feature business advertisement and names of people in the community. See information below or send inquiries to wisconsinloyaltyday@gmail.com
If you would like to take part in the parade, entry forms are currently being accepted. For more information on the event and parade, visit wisconsinloyaltyday.com
There’s only one Loyalty Day parade in each state each year. Last year Pleasant Prairie was the host city.
On a history note: Loyalty Day was first celebrated in 1921 as “Americanization Day.” It was a way for people to reaffirm their loyalty to the United States and recognize the heritage of American freedom. The first national observance was declared by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on May 1, 1955; three years later it was deemed an annual holiday.
