The City of Paducah will host its annual Veterans Day observances on Wednesday, November 11, including the Sunrise Reveille, Veterans Day Opening Ceremony, and Veterans Day Parade. The City is accepting entries to participate in the parade in addition to nominations for the Distinguished Veteran and Patriot Awards and entries for the annual Veterans Day Poster & Essay Contest.
The City of Paducah encourages residents and community organizations to participate in the Veterans Day observances and activities and join in recognizing the service and sacrifice of America’s veterans.
The deadline to submit parade entries, award applications, and poster and essay contest entries is October 22. For entry forms and details, visit Veterans Day.
Distinguished Veteran and Patriot Awards |The Distinguished Veteran Award recognizes a veteran who is active and involved in the community. Preference is given to candidates who currently reside in McCracken County. Any individual who has served in any branch of the military may be nominated. The Patriot Award recognizes a non-veteran citizen who dedicates time to serving veterans and supporting veteran causes in the community.
Veterans Day Poster & Essay Contest | Paducah Parks & Recreation and the Paducah Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution sponsor the annual Veterans Day Poster & Essay Contest for K-12 students in Paducah and McCracken County.
The contest includes five divisions:
- Grades K-1: “Veterans Helping Others” — 8½-by-11-inch original artwork poster.
- Grades 2-3: “Veterans Helping Others” — 8½-by-11-inch original artwork poster.
- Grades 4-5: 100-150 word essay, “What did our Revolutionary War Veterans Sacrifice?”
- Grades 6-8: 150-200 word essay, “Veterans Who Helped Shape America.”
- Grades 9-12: 200-400 word essay, “The Meaning and Cost of Service to our Nation.”
First, second, and third place winners will be selected in each division. Each entry must include the student's name, grade, school and teacher, school or home school phone number and email address, and a parent or guardian's phone number and email address. Entries must be the original work of the student.
Sunrise Reveille |The 2026 Veterans Day Sunrise Reveille will begin at approximately 6:15 a.m. on November 11 in Dolly McNutt Memorial Plaza. The ceremony will include the playing of Reveille and the raising of the American flag at sunrise. Refreshments will be provided following the ceremony.
Veterans Day Opening Ceremony |The 2026 Veterans Day Opening Ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. on November 11 at Dolly McNutt Memorial Plaza. This ceremony includes the recognition of the Distinguished Veteran and Patriot Award recipients and the winners of the Veterans Day Poster & Essay Contest.
Veterans Day Parade |The Veterans Day Parade will begin at 11 a.m. on November 11 at 6th and Washington Streets. The parade will travel along 6th Street before turning right onto Broadway and continuing toward the riverfront. At Water Street, the parade will turn left and disband at Water and Jefferson Streets.
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