After taking a pandemic year to go virtual, the streets of downtown Fresno will be full of bands, veterans and spectators.

The 102nd annual Fresno Veterans Day Parade returns on Thursday, starting at 11:11 a.m. on Nov. 11. Organizers say 170 entries, bands, cars and sometimes tanks, will travel the route that goes by City Hall.

“It feels wonderful. We get to see everybody as a group. I can’t wait to feel the vibe out there. We’re expecting 15,000 spectators, so I can’t wait to get out there again and see the veterans happy,” said Virginia Cardinal, the parade’s coordinator. She is leading a group of 50 volunteers.

The grand marshals will be Scott and Linda Phillips, both retired Air Force colonels. Cardinal cited their work with Honor Flight and with the Duncan Polytechnic JROTC.

“They actually just hemmed and fixed all of their uniforms for the cadets. So we’ll see a great job that they did, as Duncan is marching in front of them,” Cardinal said.

The Fresno State marching band will take part and the parade will also feature a helicopter flyover from local law enforcement.

Last year’s event was held virtually online because of the pandemic.

CMAC will televise the parade live, with livestreaming at the parade’s Facebook page.

Clovis Plans Full Day of Events

There will be a full day of events in Clovis as well.

VFW Post 3225 will host its annual pancake breakfast, starting at 7 a.m. at the Clovis Veterans Memorial District (808 4th Street).

Other activities for the day include a car show, photo exhibit, airing of documentaries, blood drive, and an 11 a.m. patriotic concert.

There will also be a ribbon cutting at 9:30 a.m. for the Community Heritage Center — a museum focused on Clovis history — at 318 Veterans Parkway.