This year’s Veterans Day Parade in Columbus, hosted by the Patriots Salute to Veterans Association, Inc., will begin at 10 a.m. on Nov. 11, 2017. The parade route starts from the east entrance of the Food Lion plaza parking lot, heads east on Hwy. 108 into downtown Columbus, turns right onto South Peak, then right onto Ward Street, and passes by the Veterans Park.  The parade ends after passing by Veterans Park. The reviewing stand and parade announcer will be set up along Hwy. 108 across from the courthouse in front of Stearns Park.

Hwy. 108 from the west entrance of the Food Lion Plaza (nearest McDonalds) to South Peak Street on the east side of town, Hampton Rd., Hampton Ct., and N. Peak St. intersections with Hwy. 108 will be closed and barricaded at 9:45 a.m. until the end of the parade.

All traffic after 9:45 a.m. until the end of the parade on Hwy. 108 eastbound into Columbus from Tryon will be re-routed to I-74 east for access to the next Columbus exit on the east side of town and the same detour in the opposite direction coming from Mill Spring for anyone wanting to get to the west side of town and back on Hwy. 108.

All in-town traffic to and from Hwy. 108 and Peniel Road will be rerouted around Ward and Walker Streets via Blanton and Simms Streets. The one way on Blanton St. between Hwy. 108 and Ward St. will be temporarily converted to a two-way drive during the event.

Handicap parking for those who have valid placards and/or license plates will be on Gibson St. and entrance into this parking area will be from Ward Street only starting at 8 a.m. There will also be spaces available along Ward St., but handicap vehicles are advised to get there early because this area will be completely blocked off when the parade starts to the end of ceremony in Veterans Park. Gibson Street will be closed to all but handicap vehicle traffic at 8 a.m.

– submitted by Bevin Corbin