COLUMBUS, Ohio — Veterans Day is this Saturday, and organizations, like the Military Veterans Educational Foundation (MilVets), have been honoring central Ohio’s veterans every year for almost four decades. 

But this year, one of its signature events won’t be happening. The Columbus Veterans Day parade has graced the streets of downtown Columbus since 1987. But this year, it’s canceled. 

“We’re disappointed. It’s something that several of us have been doing since the 80s, 90s and early 2000s,” said In-coming Co-President of MilVets, Carrie Killingsworth.

The MilVets board posted a statement saying it canceled this year’s parade because of a decrease in attendance and the lack of corporate financial support since the pandemic.

“It’s disappointing but at the same time there’s not a viable option at this point to hold a parade without a better level of support financially and also people just don’t come to parades in downtown Columbus like they did in the past,” said Killingsworth. 

While this year’s parade is canceled, no decisions have been made about its future.

“Do we have a parade? Is a good big question. And if we don’t have a parade, what do we do?” said Killingsworth.

And as they consider the future, they’re looking at what changes could be made including potentially moving it from its traditional time slot of the Friday afternoon before Veterans Day, a time most people are at work.

“We are open to any idea no matter how crazy or kooky. We will at least entertain it and discuss it,” said Killingsworth.

Killingsworth says this cancellation is not only disappointing for the city but is personal to her. 

“I’m a military veteran myself. I’m an army veteran. The majority of our volunteers are veterans themselves, so we’re personally disappointed,” said Killingsworth.