UPDATE: MONDAY 10/8/2024 11:43 a.m. (COLORADO SPRINGS) — In answer to the public's overwhelming response to the cancellation of the 2024 Colorado Springs Veterans Day Parade, community leaders have banded together to bring it back, scheduling it for Saturday, Nov. 9, at 11 a.m. Mayor Yemi Mobolade announced the news around 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 8, stating that the news of the cancelation had galvanized the community and leaders to come together to save the parade. "Here's my call to action to the community; I urge each and every single Colorado Springs resident and citizen to join us in full force for this year's Veterans Day Parade," said Mayor Mobolade. "Let's line the streets, let's wave our flags, and let's cheer on our heroes. Let's make this parade a resounding tribute to the women and men who have served our nation with courage and distinction. Let's show the world that Colorado Springs is a city that honors its veterans not just with words but with action. Let's make this year's parade the biggest and the best yet." John O'Donnell, the original organizer of the parade in the early 1990s, agreed to lead the effort to hold the parade. He and his family have extensive experience holding parades in Colorado Springs and reached out to Mayor Mobolade to offer his services when he heard about the cancelation of the parade. O'Donnel said that people have stepped forward to provide funding, largely through private donations, and the City Council allotted $28,000 through Lodgers and Automobile Rental Tax (LART). Johnna Reeder Kleymeyer, President and CEO of the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC (CSEDC), said that the business community and the Military Affairs Council were committed to the over 95,000 veterans in the community and that when they heard there would be no parade, they immediately called to ask how to help. The CSEDC Military Affairs Council and Chamber will be a sponsor and will be assisting as volunteers. When asked if the original organizers had been invited to the event, and whether the money raised for the canceled parade would be used for this parade, Mayor Mobolade said that he had not been in contact with the original organizers and that their focus had been on how to get the Veterans Day Parade up and running. O'Donnell announced that there will be no entry fee to be a part of this year's parade. Those interested in participating or donating can sign up at https://intheirhonor.my.canva.site/. Those who were already registered for the original parade should get in contact with the organizers to confirm their participation. Contact information is at the bottom of the website linked above. ORIGINAL STORY: Community leaders provide update on 2024 Colorado Springs Veterans Day Parade MONDAY 10/8/2024 8:42 a.m. On Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 11 a.m., Mayor Yemi Mobolade will be joined by community leaders in front of City Hall to provide an update on the 2024 Veterans Day parade in Colorado Springs. Recently the Board of Directors for the Veterans Day Parade announced the event would be canceled for 2024 citing they "had not received enough groups signed up to make the parade viable in 2024," along with an increase in parade-related costs including; insurance, police support, and more. Board of Directors explain why Veterans Day Parade was canceled On Tuesday, Mayor Mobolade will be joined by John O'Donnell of O'Donnell and O'Donnell, Johnna Reeder Kleymeyer, President & CEO of the Colorado Springs Chamber & Economic Development Corporation, and Brian Wortinger, Retired U.S. Army Garrison Fort Carson commander for an announcement about the parade.