A celebration next week will honor America’s heroes, veterans and active duty military.

The Annual Veterans Day Parade will take place on Friday, Nov. 11, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Southeast 47th Terrace. Hosted by the Cape Coral Parks and Recreation Department and other local supporters, the parade heads eastbound from Southeast Eighth Court to Southeast 15th Avenue.

Linda Biondi, one of the organizers, said it is a longtime event for the Cape.

“The parade’s been going on forever,” she said.

Last year, an estimated 70 groups took part, with thousands of parade-watchers on site.

“It’s going to be a little bit bigger this year,” Biondi said, adding that there will probably be 75 or 80 groups participating in the parade. “I would guess there’d be about 5,000 people along the route.”

Every year, the parade honors veterans from one of the United States’ armed conflicts. In the past, veterans from the Vietnam War, World War II, Iraq War and Korean War have been highlighted.

This year, the parade will honor the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor – Dec. 7, 1941.

“Since it is the 75th remembrance, we thought we would honor people from that era,” she said.

The grand marshal for the parade this year is retired Col. John LaRe, 92.

“He was an Air Force pilot during World War II,” Biondi said.

She added that he also served during Korea and Vietnam.

“He’s so excited to be in the parade,” Biondi said.

The opening ceremonies will feature a youth choir and others.

For the second year in a row, there will be a reviewing area along the route for performances at Southeast 10th Place. The participating groups will be able to stop and showcase their talent.

“It’s going to be a little different this year,” she said. “It’s going to be decorated.”

Courtney Perna, co-host of the FOX4 “Morning Blend,” will be the emcee.

Some of this year’s participants include the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, a local corvette club, Mariner High School’s Silver Magic Marching Band and North Fort Myers High School’s Marching Knights.

“We have another group called American Patrol,” Biondi said.

“They come on a flatbed (truck),” she added. “They’re like a brass band.”

Some new faces include the 365th Army Reserve Unit and the Knights of Columbus.

“The Cape Coral animal shelter, which we’re working on getting in the area,” Biondi said.

“And we have tons of ROTC units,” she added. “One unit is coming from Estero.”

Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs and water.

“Bring your flags to wave,” Biondi said.

“Just come out and celebrate the veterans with us,” she added.

Other Veterans Day ceremonies in the Cape include the dedication of two new monuments at the Veterans Memorial Area at Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve, as well as school programs.

On Friday, Invest in America’s Veterans Foundation will host the dedication of a Purple Heart monument from 4 p.m. to sunset. Residents and visitors are invited to attend the ceremony.

The project was funded by the Gunterberg Charitable Foundation and Culliton family.

Also on Friday, the Korean Society of Southwest Florida will host the dedication of a Korean War monument and flagpole from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Again, the public is welcome to attend the event. The 12-by-24 inch granite addition includes a map of Korea and “Thank you for Saving Our Country.”

The School District of Lee County will hold its Veterans Recognition Ceremony on Wednesday at 9 a.m. in atrium at the Lee County Public Education Center, at 2855 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. It will feature the presentation of colors, the singing of the national anthem and the history of Veterans Day.

There will also be an exhibition drill performance and remarks by retired Lt. Col. William Law.

In addition, schools in the Cape announced the following programs:

n Caloosa Elementary will host a Veterans Day celebration on Thursday at 8:30 a.m. and again at 9:30 a.m. at 620 Del Prado Blvd. There will be patriotic songs and student poems, and the Ida S. Baker High School color guard will present the colors. Prior to the programs, a veteran meet-and-greet will take place along with refreshments.

n Cape Elementary will celebrate Veterans Day on Thursday from 8:15 to 9:15 a.m. at the school, at 4519 Vincennes Blvd. The students will honor about 40 local veterans in a schoolwide ceremony.

n Skyline Elementary will host a Veterans Day program on Thursday at 8:15 a.m. and again at 9:15 a.m. at 620 S.W. 19th St. All veterans and active duty personnel are invited to attend. There will be a speech by student leaders, patriotic songs and student poems, as well as a performance by the show choir. For more information, contact Dr. Regina Smith at 239-772-3223, ext. 214.

n Third-graders at Trafalgar Elementary will perform skits and songs to honor military heroes on Thursday at 8:30 a.m. at 1850 S.W. 20th Ave. The program will include a picture tribute to veterans and the introduction of all veterans in the audience as the children sing “God Bless the USA.”

Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve is at 2500 SE 24th St.