Bakersfield Holds Annual Veterans Day Parade
The parade starts at 10 a.m. Wednesday at 22nd and L streets, outside the KGET studios.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Military
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Bakersfield holds its annual Veterans Day Parade on November 11, 2026, beginning at 10 a.m. at 22nd and L streets. American Legion Post 26 offers veterans a free pancake breakfast before the parade and a free lunch afterward.
Why it matters
The observance honors veterans of all wars and gives local residents a chance to recognize their service. Meals are open to the public for purchase, and most schools and government offices are closed for the holiday.
The parade begins at 10 a.m. at 22nd and L streets, and the observance traces to 1919, when it was first held as Armistice Day to mark the end of World War I. The renaming to Veterans Day in 1954 extended recognition to veterans of all wars, though the source does not report attendance figures for this year's event.
The players
American Legion Post 26
A local chapter of the American Legion, the national veterans organization, which provides free meals to veterans on Veterans Day.
The details
American Legion Post 26 offers veterans a free pancake breakfast before the parade and a free lunch afterward. Community members are encouraged to attend and wear red, white and blue. Post offices, banks and most federal, city and county offices are closed, and there is no regular mail delivery, though private carriers including UPS, FedEx and Amazon continue deliveries.
Timeline
1919: Armistice Day observance begins, marking the end of World War I.
1954: Armistice Day is renamed Veterans Day to recognize veterans of all wars.
November 11, 2026, 10 a.m.: Bakersfield Veterans Day Parade begins at 22nd and L streets.
Historical Context
The local observance follows the 1954 federal renaming of Armistice Day to Veterans Day, which broadened the holiday from marking the end of World War I to honoring veterans of all wars. Bakersfield's parade continues that expanded tradition each November 11.
Residents planning to attend should expect the parade to begin at 10 a.m. at 22nd and L streets, with a free pancake breakfast available beforehand for veterans. Those running errands should note that post offices, banks and most government offices will be closed that day.
The takeaway
Veterans Day recognizes service across all American wars, and attending the parade or joining the free meals is a direct way to show that recognition. Checking local school and office schedules ahead of the holiday avoids surprises.
Further reading
For more on veterans' observances and service, explore military coverage on Wisevoter.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KUZZ FM.
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