This year, the City of Mission is once again honoring local military heroes with a Veterans’ Appreciation BBQ, parade, and festival over a three-day weekend.

“The City is proud to honor to our men and women in the military by providing an annual Veterans Day Celebration,” Mayor Norie Gonzalez Garza said. “This civic festival honors and celebrates the brave men and women who have fought and sacrificed for our freedom.”

The festivities will kick off with a special MIA/KIA interment service for U.S. Army Corporal Antonio DeJesus Tijerina on Friday, November 11, at 9 a.m. at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery in Mission. Cpl. Tijerina was killed in action in 1950 during the Battle of Unsan in North Korea. His body was never recovered. Surviving relatives will honor his memory and the public is invited to attend.

 

RGV Veterans will then be treated to a free lunch as a small token of appreciation. The drive-thru BBQ event at Mission Event Center on Friday, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. will feature a chicken plate with all the trimmings, while supplies last. Veterans are urged to decorate their vehicles in red, white, and blue to showcase their patriotism as they pick up their BBQ plates.

 

The celebration recognizing military men and women will continue Saturday and Sunday. On Nov. 12 the full-day celebration kicks off with the Mission Veterans Parade at 3 p.m. The procession begins at Leo Peña Placita Park, runs east on Business-83 to Bryan Road and ends at the CEED building. The festive parade will showcase floats, RGV veterans, military vehicles, festooned golf carts and local marching bands.

 

Community members can then take part in the Mission Veterans Day Festival from 2-11pm on Saturday, Nov. 12 outside the CEED building in conjunction with the 5 x 5 Brewing Company and the Go Mission Foundation. There will be plenty of family-friendly entertainment including live local music performances. Taste-tempting delights are available for purchase from several food trucks and food vendors. Military jeeps will be on display at the festival. In addition, veterans’ organizations will be on hand to promote military services and government resources available to veterans.

 

At 7 p.m. there will be an unforgettable spectacle in the sky. The Go Mission Foundation is sponsoring a drone show that has never been seen south of Austin. The patriotic show in the air is designed and choreographed by professional animators, blending creative storytelling with striking imagery for an engaging experience. The show will feature 100 drones that will construct iconic American images. Families are asked to set up lawn chairs in the drone viewing area on Bryan Road and Bus. 83, East of the CEED building (the old Fontana hotel site). Parking opens there at 5 p.m.

 

There will also be a chili cook-off at 5×5 Brewing on Sunday, Nov. 13 between veteran teams from noon to 4 p.m.

 

“We want our men and women in uniform, past, present, and future to know that we are forever grateful for their bravery, sacrifice and service,” Mayor Garza said. “This festival will be one to remember.”

 

Who:                                      City of Mission

What:                                     Hosting Veterans Day Festival

Where:                                  Mission Event Center, 200 N. Shary Rd., Mission Food Park, 801 Bryan Rd.

When:                                   Friday, Nov. 11- Sun. Nov 13