Camp Tribute is gone this year, but some other events including a balloon glow are taking its place at this year’s All Veteran’s Tribute week in Emporia.
Among the new events this year are the All Veterans Tribute Dinner and Balloon Glow and Dance at the American Legion Post No. 5 at 6 p.m. on Nov. 11. The evening will include a barbecue meal and the Tall Grass Big Band. The balloon glow is a show of glowing hot air balloons against the night sky.
“The balloon glow is outside the Legion so you don’t have to leave to see it,” said Liz Martell of the Convention & Visitors Bureau. “It’s beautiful.”
Frank Lowery, the balloon glow organizer, said there are three confirmed balloons coming, all from the Wichita area. The balloons will be tethered so they don’t actually lift off more than eight to 12 feet, Lowery said. The glow comes from keeping the balloons inflated with heat shooting through it.
“Most of the balloons are really colorful and it makes for a real interesting sight,” Lowery said.
Tickets for the dinner, balloon glow and dance are available for $20 each at the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Luminaries are also on tap this year. They are available for purchase for $10 for the first one and $5 for each additional. Luminary bags can be decorated and returned to the chamber office. They will be lit from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Nov. 10. They will line Kellogg Drive on the Emporia State University campus in conjunction with the Veterans Recognition and USO Show.
“It’s a nice and meaningful way to remember and honor veterans, whether family member or friend,” said Brad Elkins, co-chairman of the All Veterans Tribute Committee.
Free tickets also are available for the seventh annual Veterans Recognition and USO Show, which will be at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10 in Albert Taylor Hall in Plumb Hall at ESU.
Barb Newell, co-chair of the Veterans Recognition and USO Show Committee, said that she enjoys the event.
“I am privileged to have been a part of the planning and USO Show for the past seven years,” Newell said. “I’ve met so many interesting and talented people and have learned so much about our veterans by being on the All Veterans Tribute committee since its inception.”
The Veterans Recognition includes a moment of silence for POWs and MIAs. Also, each branch of military service will be represented by a veteran and names of veterans from the luminaries will be read.
The USO show will include various acts such as soloists and swing dancers.
Here is the complete schedule of events:
Nov. 5-13
• Honor all veterans week — Visit Emporia’s Veterans memorials and wear red, white and blue to honor our United States military personnel.
Monday
• “Airmen & Medics,” U.L. “Rip” Gooch, former Kansas senator and Tuskegee airman and Don Coldsmith, World War II and author, 6 p.m. Trusler Business Center.
Tuesday
• Remember to vote! Our military men and women are serving our country to preserve our right to vote.
Wednesday
• Student essay and poster contest awards ceremony, 7 p.m., Emporia Middle School.
Nov. 9
• World War II roundtable with Robert Mott, 7:30 p.m., Kanza Room in the Memorial Union, ESU. 342-1895
Nov. 10
• “Business Salute to Veterans” luncheon, 11:45 a.m., American Legion Post 5, tickets are $8.50 for lunch and the first 50 veterans to register will eat free, for advanced registration, call 342-1803;
• Veterans Recognition and USO Show, 7:30 p.m., Albert Taylor Hall in Plumb Hall, Emporia State University. Pick up free tickets at the chamber office, 719 Commercial St.
Veterans Day, Nov. 11
• Veterans breakfast, 7:15 a.m. with guest speaker Lee Hoskins, Emporia Presbyterian Manor, information: For information, call 343-2613.
• Parade, 9:30 a.m., downtown Emporia, 342-1119.
• Memorial Service, 11 a.m., guest speaker, Rep. Peggy Mast, Soden’s Grove All Veterans Memorial, 342-1119.
• Ham and Bean feed, noon, American Legion Post 5 and Veterans and Foreign Wars Post 1980. Donations accepted.
• Military exhibits and speakers, 1 to 5 p.m., Kansas Army National Guard, 1809 Merchant St., military exhibits and speakers, activities for children, climbing wall and military equipment.
• Barbecue dinner, balloon glow and dance featuring Tallgrass Big Band, 6 to 10 p.m., American Legion Post 5. Tickets are $20 each at the chamber office, 719 Commercial St.
Nov. 12
• Freedom run-walk, 8 a.m., Soden’s Grove All Veterans Memorial. To register, 340-6430 or www.emporiamainstreet.com.
• “How the Atomic Bomb Changed Our Lives,” with Don Coldsmith, World War II medic and author, 2:30 p.m., Emporia Public Library, 340-6462.
Nov. 13
• Veterans dinner, 4 to 9 p.m., Golden Corral, free to all veterans.