Monroe County Hosts Fifth Annual Veterans Day Parade
The Rochester parade honored veterans of all eras and military branches, with a ceremony held afterward at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Military
Monroe County held its fifth annual Veterans Day Parade in Rochester on Saturday, starting at 10:30 a.m. at South Goodman Street and Highland Avenue. A ceremony honoring veterans followed the procession.
Why it matters
The parade recognizes service members from every era and branch of the military, giving the Rochester community a public occasion to honor veterans. Its continuation into a fifth year reflects an established local tradition of commemorating military service.
The parade marks the fifth annual edition, with a 10:30 a.m. start at South Goodman Street and Highland Avenue. Attendance and participant totals were not reported.
The players
Rob Ortt
New York State Senate Minority Leader and a U.S. Army National Guard veteran who enlisted after the September 11 attacks, serving as the parade's Grand Marshal.
Stacy Babcock
A retired U.S. Army veteran who served for almost 42 years and was recognized during the parade.
The details
The parade proceeded up Highland Avenue to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Gary Beikirch Park within Highland Park. Marching units, veterans' service organizations, military-style vehicles, and veterans representing all eras and military branches took part.
Timeline
Saturday, November 7, 2026: Fifth annual Monroe County Veterans Day Parade held in Rochester.
10:30 a.m. Saturday: Parade begins at South Goodman Street and Highland Avenue.
Following the parade on Saturday: Ceremony honoring veterans held at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Big Picture
The Monroe County parade is a local extension of the national Veterans Day observance, which originated as Armistice Day to honor World War I veterans. Its fifth annual edition shows the observance continuing across successive years in Rochester.
Rochester residents could attend the parade route along Highland Avenue and the veterans' ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Highland Park. The event offers a public setting to honor local veterans from every era and military branch.
The takeaway
Public observances like this parade give local residents a direct way to recognize the service of veterans in their own community. Attending or supporting such events is a simple way to take part in that recognition.
Further reading
Explore more military news coverage from across the region.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WHEC.
