VALDOSTA — Communities around South Georgia are preparing to honor America’s military veterans with events this weekend.

Veterans Day is officially held on Nov. 11 each year, but since that falls on a Saturday in 2023, many events have been moved to other days.

— St. John the Evangelist Catholic School invites veterans to a special Veterans Day program at 9 a.m. Friday at the school. The special event will include a patriotic procession, reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance by the pre-K 3 and pre-K 4 classes, the Armed Services March performed by the school band, the national anthem sung by the fourth grade and refreshments. Veterans are asked to sign in at the school office prior to the event beginning at 9 a.m.

— The American Legion Post 13’s annual Veterans Day program will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at the Valdosta High School Gymnasium. The guest speaker will be Col. Paul Sheets, 23d Wing Commander at Moody Air Force Base. Music will be provided by the VHS band. Parking will be in the student parking lot next to the gymnasium on the south side of the campus.

— AMVETS Post 607 will hold its Veterans Day observance at 3 p.m. Friday at its headquarters at 728 E. Hill Ave. Light refreshments will be held afterward.

— A Veterans Day Parade and Appreciation Festival is planned from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday in Lakeland, according to a Facebook posting from the organizing group, Vet Team 6. Bagpipers from the UK and a local bagpiper, plus four Australian Defense Force veterans will be on hand, as will live entertainment and food vendors.

— A Veterans Day parade in Hahira will start at 9 a.m. Saturday and follow a route from West Main Street east. Participants include various Girl Scout groups, Moody AFB and area motorcycle clubs.

— Valwood School will hold its 15th annual Veterans Day program at 9:30 a.m. Nov. 14 at Performance Hall on the school’s campus. The program will involve songs, solos and skits by the students. Veterans will be invited to a brunch with the middle school students.