August also includes monthlong Celebrate Freedom event with various discounts for veterans, active military and first responders.
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (July 28, 2021) – In honor of U.S. military veterans, Pigeon Forge (Tennessee) will host its seventh annual Veterans Homecoming Parade on Saturday, Aug. 7. World War II veteran and Pigeon Forge resident James Householder returns as parade grand marshal. Householder will be joined by fellow local veterans Tom Lavin and Don Luckett, both of whom are volunteers for the Pigeon Forge Special Events department.
Householder is one of the few remaining World War II veterans residing in Sevier County. A 1944 graduate of Sevier County High School, Householder also graduated from Maryville College where he met his wife Julia. Retired from the electrical business, Householder is a former Pigeon Forge city commissioner.
The Veterans Homecoming Parade starts at 9 a.m. and enters the Pigeon Forge Parkway just past traffic light number eight at Methodist Street and continues to traffic light number five.
“Pigeon Forge’s Veterans Homecoming Parade honors all military men and women for their service to our country,” said Leon Downey, executive director of the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism. “We invite our visitors and residents to celebrate with us on Aug. 7 as we pay tribute to our American heroes, both past and present.”
In the parade, Householder will be joined by the Pigeon Forge city commissioners and Pigeon Forge City Manager Earlene Teaster. The parade will once again be led by the Veterans Military Honor Guard of Pigeon Forge. More than 50 entries, including groups from three additional states, will take part in the parade, including chapters from Korea Defense Veterans, Wheeling for Warriors, and Disabled American Veterans.
Every August, Celebrate Freedom!™ offers discounts to active and veteran military personnel, police, firefighters, paramedics and other first responders at more than 30 participating Pigeon Forge businesses, including lodging properties, attractions, restaurants, theaters and retail establishments. More information is available here.
For information about all aspects of Pigeon Forge and other city-sponsored events, visit MyPigeonForge.com or call 1-800-251-9100.
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Image available for download here. Photo courtesy of the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism.
Media Contact:
Trish McGee
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