"One of the few selected in the state to honor all who served in the United States Armed Forces." That's how the Central Texas Area Veterans Advisory Committee describes this year's Killeen Veterans Day Parade. Before the parade starts on Wednesday, Nov. 11, the mayor will accept a certificate from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs naming it an official 2026 Regional Site.
The certificate goes to Killeen, but the honor covers three cities. VA's list names the site "Central Texas: Cities of Killeen, Harker Heights, Copperas Cove." The parade itself still runs a short loop through historic downtown Killeen, past the same Gray Street and Avenue D blocks where the city's newer restaurants and shops are. If you know the loop, you can plan a morning that starts with coffee and ends with lunch two blocks away.
Five Texas sites, and one is shared by three cities
On Oct. 15, VA News announced that VA and the Veterans Day National Committee had picked 48 Regional Sites in 24 states as official partners for VA-approved Veterans Day observances. Each site gets Veterans Day posters, military ceremonial support from the Department of War, and a certificate from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
These are the five Texas entries:
- City of El Paso
- City of Austin
- City of Fort Worth, Tarrant County
- Zavala County
- Central Texas: Cities of Killeen, Harker Heights, Copperas Cove
El Paso, Austin and Fort Worth each made the list as one city. The Central Texas entry names three. The people who organize the parade also come from more than one town. The City of Killeen's Sept. 30 announcement says the sponsor is the Central Texas Area Veterans Advisory Committee, which includes representatives from veteran organizations in Killeen, Harker Heights and Nolanville. The route stays in downtown Killeen, but the committee behind it draws from across the area.
The loop, turn by turn
AVAC's route sheet gives the exact turns.
- Start at North College Street and West Avenue D.
- Head east on Avenue D to North Eighth Street.
- Turn north on Eighth to East Sprott Street.
- Turn west on Sprott to North Gray Street.
- Turn south on Gray to West Avenue C.
- Head west on Avenue C back to North College Street, where the parade ends.
The parade starts and finishes within a block of City Hall, at 101 North College Street. If you park near City Hall, you're already close to both ends of the route.
Here's the morning in order:
| Time | What happens | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 9:30 a.m. | College Street traffic is blocked | AVAC |
| 10:00 a.m. | Parade entries must be lined up on 761st Tank Battalion Avenue | AVAC |
| 10:45 a.m. | VA recognizes Killeen as a Regional Site and presents its certificate | City of Killeen |
| 11:00 a.m. | Parade steps off | City of Killeen |
The 9:30 a.m. College Street closure is the only road closure on that schedule. It's the one that matters if you're driving in. The City says to arrive early so you have time to park and find a viewing spot.
Why the lineup street carries that name
Every float, color guard and marching group lines up on 761st Tank Battalion Avenue, between North College Street and Gilmer Street. AVAC's page lists the street's old name, Avenue E. Guides will be directing entries coming in from Gilmer.
That's a fitting place for the lineup. According to the U.S. Army, the 761st Tank Battalion trained at Camp Hood, Texas, before becoming the first African American tank unit committed to combat in World War II. A later Army history also places the battalion's training at Camp Hood and calls it the first African American tank unit in combat. On Nov. 11, the Veterans Day Parade forms up on a Killeen street that carries the name of a battalion trained at Camp Hood.
AVAC's rule here also applies to spectators. Nobody may sit in the assembly area to watch the parade. You'll have to pick a spot farther along the route.
Choosing your stretch of the route
The route sheet lists one seating area: bleachers on Gray Street next to the Killeen library. Since Gray is the second-to-last leg, the bleachers see the parade after it has passed down Avenue D, up Eighth and across Sprott.
There are portable toilets in three places:
- Two on the south side of the City Hall parking lot
- Two next to the assembly area
- Two at the Killeen library
That's six units for the whole route, and two of them sit beside the bleachers. If you're bringing small kids or older relatives, the Gray Street library block has both seats and restrooms. Anywhere else, bring your own seating. AVAC's own advice is to bring chairs and umbrellas. In Central Texas in November, the umbrella could be for sun or for rain.
Coffee before, lunch after, by street
Downtown's food spots line the same streets as the route, so you don't have to drive anywhere after the last float. The Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce's downtown food guide, published July 9, 2026, and the City of Killeen's downtown business directory list these places on the parade streets:
| Route street | Spot | Address |
|---|---|---|
| Avenue D | Cuban Sandwich Shop | 102 E. Avenue D |
| Avenue D | Let's Eat Texas | 207 E. Avenue D |
| Avenue D | StrikeOut Wingz | 224 E. Avenue D |
| Avenue D | Wycked Apple | 320 E. Avenue D |
| Avenue D | Koba Woo | 332 E. Avenue D |
| Eighth Street | Waffle Bear & Café Latino | 307 N. 8th St. |
| Eighth Street | Alexander's Music Box | 313 N. 8th St. |
| Eighth Street | BBQ Hub | 815 N. 8th St., Suite 100 |
| Gray Street | Rincon de Panama | 205 N. Gray St. |
| Gray Street | Vida Roxy | 321 N. Gray St. |
| Gray Street | Southern Roots Brewing Company | 324 N. Gray St. |
| Gray Street | Brick & Barrel | 415 N. Gray St. |
Avenue D, where the parade starts, has the most places close together, with five within a few hundred numbers of each other. Gray Street has four spots plus the bleachers.
Plan around a weekday schedule. Nov. 11 is a Wednesday, and some downtown spots open later than you'd want for a pre-parade coffee. Vida Roxy's own site lists Tuesday through Thursday hours of 3 to 9 p.m., so it works for an afternoon or evening stop, not the parade itself. The City's directory is undated, so call ahead to confirm hours and that a place is open before you build your morning around it.
If you'd rather march than watch
Anyone can join. The City says residents, businesses, organizations, schools, veteran groups and community members are welcome, and there's no fee. To register, use the form on centex-avac.org.
The two sources give different deadlines. AVAC's page says to submit your form by November 8, and the City's release says entries are accepted through Monday, Nov. 9. Go with the earlier date to be safe. For questions about participating, the City lists Parade Chair Ron Cowan at (910) 574-1878.
AVAC also posts a parade lineup on its site. If you're coming to see a particular unit, school group or veterans' post, check where it falls in the order.
Wayfinder Builders is veteran-owned, and we work with a lot of military families around Fort Cavazos. If you're out on Gray Street on Nov. 11, we'd love to say hello. And when you're ready to build a place in Central Texas that feels like home, we're right here in Copperas Cove. Start Your Dream Build.
