Update due to weather: The City of Lake Charles Mayor’s Armed Forces Commission has decided to relocate its annual Veterans Day Celebration to the Lake Charles Event Center Coliseum due to expected bad weather on Saturday, November 11.
The Ruck the Chuck 5K will still take place outdoors regardless of the weather, as long as it is safe to do so. The 5K, will start on the north side of the Lake Charles Event Center property.
Lake Charles, Louisiana - The City of Lake Charles has announced that the Mayor's Armed Forces Commission is going to host the annual Veterans Day Celebration at Lake Charles Event Center Coliseum, located on Lakeshore Drive. The event will take place on Saturday, November 11, 2023, starting at 7:30 a.m. and will feature a full day of activities.
The day will commence with the Ruck the Chuck 5K, which will begin on the north side of the Lake Charles Event Center (formerly Lake Charles Civic Center) property. Registration for the race can be done at Ruck the Chuck (runsignup.com). At 8:30 a.m., there will be a free breakfast available near Veterans Memorial Park for all attendees of the Veterans Day program, which is set to begin at 10 a.m. Food will be provided as long as supplies last.
The program will pay tribute to veterans of Desert Storm, Post 9/11, the Global War on Terrorism, and Enduring Freedom, and will feature Lieutenant Colonel Nicholas Baranello as the guest speaker. Lieutenant Colonel Baranello is the Commander of the 115th Field Hospital at Fort Johnson.
Following the program, the SWLA Veterans Association will host a free festival inside the Lake Charles Event Center Coliseum starting at noon. The festival will include live music from three bands, a Marine comedian, food, and entertainment for the whole family.
At the event at the Lake Charles Event Center, veterans will receive free food. Non-veterans can purchase food for $5. There will also be food trucks on-site for those who choose to not eat what is provided.
All of the events throughout the day are free and open to the public.
Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets to enjoy the day in Veterans Memorial Park.
The event sponsors include Optimum, Acadian Ambulance, Lake Charles Toyota, Brashear Law, SWLA Veterans Association, Dr. Daniel Weaver, Dr. Stephanie Weaver, Volkswagen of Lake Charles, Louisiana Mortgage Associates, The Firm of Louisiana, Lindsey Cutler State Farm, Main Squeeze Juice Company, K-jon, Ward 3 Marshals Office, The Villages of Imperial Pointe, and the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office.
For more information, call (337) 491-1383.