Racine kicks off full weekend of Veterans Day events with Friday Fish Fry
RACINE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Racine has a packed weekend of events celebrating and honoring veterans. Memorial Hall will host a Friday night fish fry along with bingo and live music.
Saturday events will start on the lakefront with the SSgt Ralph Bode POW/MIA Memorial 5K Walk/Run. The event will end at Festival Hall that will have a Veterans Expo with a variety of vendors.
If you want to support veterans any time, Veterans Outreach of Wisconsin is accepting donations for food, clothing and household items at 1624 Yout Street in Racine. Veteran and associate Brandon Moreno says ahead of Thanksgiving and the holidays, there's an even larger need.
"We have 299 people signed up for Thanksgiving right now, as far as I know, that is still growing," said Moreno. "We’re trying to put together little kits right now. So, we have stuffing, potatoes, gravy, corn, pretty much all the fixings you can think of as far as Thanksgiving goes. And yes, a direct need for shelf stable food right now. We’re seeing a 40 percent increase over last year as far as visitors go. So, there’s a constant need to get these sorts of items in here, so we can keep these Veterans bellies full."
Here is a full list of Veterans Day events open to the public in Racine now through Monday, Nov. 11.
Friday, November 8 – 5:00 PM:
Veterans Day Fish Fry & Bingo Night
Location: Memorial Hall, 72 7th St, Racine, WI 53403
Kick off the weekend with a classic Wisconsin tradition! Enjoy a delicious fish fry prepared by the 5th Street Yacht Club in the Marine Room, followed by a lively evening of bingo in the Racine Room. Fish fry plates are just $15, and bingo is free to participate with exciting prizes up for grabs. Tickets for both events are available at https://festivalpark.com/racineconferencecenters/.
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Saturday, November 9 – 9:30 AM:
SSgt Ralph Bode POW/MIA Memorial 5K Walk/Run
Location: Festival Park, 5 Fifth St, Racine, WI 53403
Join us for a 5K Run/Walk in memory of SSgt Ralph Bode, a Racine airman who was MIA for 80 years before being returned home. The event raises awareness for the POW/MIA Memorial at Pritchard Park. Registration begins at 8:30 AM, and the race starts at 9:30 AM. Participants can register online at 5kEvents.org.
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Saturday, November 9 – 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM:
Veterans Day Expo
Location: Festival Hall, 5 Fifth St, Racine, WI 53403
Stop by the Veterans Day Expo to explore various resources, exhibits, and vendors focused on supporting the community, our veterans and their families. Browse vendor booths and service providers from across Southeast Wisconsin and enjoy food and drinks from Lee’s Deli, available for purchase. This family-friendly event is free and open to the public.
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Monday, November 11 – 10:00 AM:
Veterans Day Ceremony
Location: Memorial Hall, 72 7th St, Racine, WI 53403
Honor our veterans at a special Veterans Day Ceremony. The program will feature a performance by the Gilmore Fine Arts Choir and a keynote address by Army and Marine Veteran, Steven Chalmers. This solemn event offers the opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices made by our servicemembers.
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Monday, November 11 – 2:00 PM:
POW/MIA Chair of Honor Dedication
Location: Pritchard Park Veteran Memorial, 2800 Ohio St, Racine, WI 53406
Join us at Pritchard Park for a moving ceremony to dedicate the POW/MIA Chair of Honor. This chair symbolizes that there will always be a place for our missing and captured servicemembers, ensuring they are never forgotten. The ceremony will be conducted by Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 767.
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