Schedule of Events
Thru November 10
Quilts of Gratitude Quilt Exhibit
Emporia Public Library, 110 E. 6th Avenue
EPL hours
Nov 1 - Nov 12
Veteran Artists Gallery Exhibit
Emporia Arts Center, 815 Commercial Street
EAC hours
November 4
Veteran Artist Opening Reception
Emporia Arts Center, 815 Commercial Street
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
November 5
Freedom Fest
Ride | Run | Walk | Challenge
Register at emporiafreedomfest.org
All Veterans Memorial, times vary
Freedom Fest Open
Presented by Dynamic Discs
Register at discgolfscene.com
Soden’s Grove Park, 9 am & noon
Cottonwood River Bridge Assault
Demonstration - 101st Airborne Dog Company
All Veterans Memorial, 931 S. Commercial Street
2:00 pm
November 7
Honor a Veteran with a Blood Donation
Register at www.redcrossblood.org
American Legion, 2921 W. 12th Ave.
12:00 - 6:00 pm
Presented by:
American Legion & American Legion Auxiliary
November 9
FREE Showing: Go For Broke! w/Van Johnson
Lyon County History Center, 711 Commercial Street
7:00 pm
Presented by: No Coast Film Fest & Visit Emporia
FREE popcorn provided by: Lyon County State Bank
Veteran's Roundtable featuring 1LT Michael Yoho
ESU Memorial Union, Preston Room
7:30 pm
Sponsored by: ESU Liberal Arts & Sciences and Social Sciences, Sociology, and Criminology
November 11
Veterans Breakfast On-The-Go
Presbyterian Manor, 2300 Industrial Road
7:30 am to 9:30 am
RSVP to (620) 343-2613 by Nov 5
Veterans Day Parade
Commercial Street, 4th Ave – 12th Ave
9:30 am
Parade Entry Form
Veterans Day Memorial Service
All Veterans Memorial
11:00 am
Ham and Been Feed
American Legion Post 5, 2921 W. 12th Ave.,
11:30 am - 1:30 pm
Chicken & Noodles, Ham & Beans & Soups
VFW Post 1980, 932 Graphic Arts Road
12:00 - 3:00 pm
Josh Gracin in Concert
Emporia Granada Theatre, 807 Commercial St.
7:00 pm
Buy Tickets
Brickhorse
VFW Post 1980, 932 Graphic Arts Road
7:00 - 11:00 pm
November 12
ESU Football vs Northwest Missouri
Senior Day | Salute to Service
Welch Stadium
1:00 pm
November 13
Quilts of Gratitude Presentation Ceremony
Anderson Building, 2700 W US Hwy 50
1:00 pm
November 14-30
Veteran Artists "People's Choice" on Display
ESB Financial, 8th & Merchant
ESB Hours
History of Veterans Day
In 1953, Emporian Alvin J. King proposed that Armistice Day be changed to Veterans Day to recognize and honor all veterans from all wars and conflicts. The holiday was first organized and celebrated in Emporia in 1953. Kansas Congressman Ed Rees, also an Emporian, then took King’s proposal to Congress, and President Dwight D. Eisenhower, also of Kansas, signed the bill proclaiming November 11 as Veterans Day. The first nationwide observance of the new holiday was on November 11, 1954.
Every year now, the President of the United States urges all Americans to honor the commitment of our Veterans through appropriate public ceremonies.
Read the Emporia Gazette article about the Founding of Veterans Day, and join us in November for All Veterans Tribute week!
More to Do
While you're in town, don't miss these other things to do!
All Veterans Memorial
This beautiful memorial next to the Cottonwood River is open year round and FREE to…
Read More >
Veterans Monuments
In addition to the All Veterans Memorial, Emporia has four other smaller monuments around the…
Read More >
BobbyD’s Merchant Street BBQ
Hungry for slowly smoked ribs, brisket or pork? How about a slice of smoked prime…
Read More >
Lyon County History Center
This historic building in Downtown Emporia houses over 150,000 artifacts, as well as a model train…
Read More >
Bourbon Cowboy
A favorite among cowboys, cowgirls, and two-steppers, this 6,000 square foot, two-level country dance bar…
Read More >
Bluestem Farm & Ranch Supply
Where real cowboys and city folk shop in the spirit of the Flint Hills! Featuring…
Read More >