Events ahead of Veterans Day: Stars and Stripes Celebration, Rochester parade, and more

Events ahead of Veterans Day: Stars and Stripes Celebration, Rochester parade, and more Evan Bourtis News10NBC Veterans Day events around Rochester (WHEC file photos) ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Wednesday marks Veterans Day, and the Rochester region is honoring the service of local veterans this weekend and next week. Here’s what to know about upcoming events to honor those who have served in the Armed Forces. Stars & Stripes Celebration (Friday) The Veterans Outreach Center is holding its annual Stars & Stripes Celebration on Friday to honor those who have served in the Armed Forces and remember the fallen. The celebration at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center gets underway at 5:30 p.m. The event features a silent auction, dinner, and dancing. You can get tickets, see the full schedule, and bid on the auction here . Monroe County Veterans Day Parade (Saturday) The fifth annual Veterans Day Parade kicks off at 10:30 a.m. at the corner of South Goodman Street and Highland Avenue. From there, it will head up Highland Avenue until it reaches the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Gary Beikirch Park, within Highland Park. That’s where a ceremony will take place honoring veterans. The parade will include marching units, veterans’ service organizations, military-style vehicles, and veterans representing all eras and military branches. Food and drinks will be available to buy The Grand Marshal of this year’s parade will be New York State Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt, a U.S. Army National Guard veteran who enlisted after the 9/11 attacks. He’s a recipient of the Bronze Star, the Army Commendation Medal, the Afghan Campaign Medal, and other honors. Learn more about the parade here . Seneca Park Zoo Military Appreciation Day (Sunday) Seneca Park Zoo will host more than 20 veteran-serving agencies on Sunday for its first-ever Military Appreciation Day. It’s in partnership with the Veterans Outreach Center and the Monroe County Office of Veterans Service. You can stop by between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. to learn about services provided by Honor Flight, the Rochester Vet Center, Trillium Health Foundation, Veterans Upward Bound, VA Medical Foster Homes, the Monroe County Office of Human Resources, and more. There will also be insider chats and animal enrichment at animal habitats throughout the day. All activities are free with admission, but resource tables are available only until 1 pm. You can learn more and get tickets here . The zoo is also collecting donations for the Veterans Outreach Center’s “Pets for Vets Pantry.” Guests bringing items on their wish list will get $2 off admission. Requested items include cat food, cat litter, dog food, pet beds, pet sweaters, and pet toys. Stars & Stripes VeteRun 5K (Wednesday, Nov. 6) The annual Stars & Stripes VeteRun 5K, a run to benefit Honor Flight Rochester, is happening on Wednesday. It starts at 10 a.m. at the Stewart Lodge of Mendon Ponds Park. This course is out-and-back within Mendon Ponds Park. Packet pickup starts at 9 a.m. on race day, and runners can also pick up their packets in advance at Fleet Feet on Culver Road on Tuesday. You can sign up for the run here .