VIDALIA — Veterans Day is approaching, and the City of Vidalia will host a parade today in honor of those who served this country.

The annual Veterans Day parade, led by grand marshal Seaman 1st Class Frank Williams, will take place at 2 p.m. today on Carter Street in Vidalia.

Williams served in the U.S. Navy and is currently commander of American Legion Post 590 in Vidalia.

Miss-Lou Veterans Coalition president Doug McCallister invited residents to attend the parade and lift up area veterans.

“Veterans day is about giving veterans the honor they deserve,” McCallister said. “It’s about a day that recognizes veterans for serving their country and their community.”

McCallister said the parade will feature close to 50 entries, with the Miss-Lou Veterans Coalition’s honor guards leading the way.

Line up for the parade will begin at 1 p.m. at Vidalia Upper Elementary School. The parade will then travel down Carter Street, following the same route as the Christmas parade, said Vidalia administrative assistant Glen McGlothin.

“Anyone with a float can still join the parade,” McGlothin said.

Area churches, organizations, schools and individuals are invited to honor their local veterans.

Louisiana Hunters for Heroes will sell hamburger plates from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at the Vidalia Chamber of Commerce office. Plates cost $5 and will help fund hunting trips for veterans who fought in Afghanistan and Iraq.

At 11 a.m. Tuesday, Copiah-Lincoln Community College’s Natchez campus will host their annual Veterans Day program.

The event will take place in the Nelson Multipurpose room, located in the Career and Technical building.

For the 11th year, Block High School will host a Veterans Day program at 9:45 a.m. Tuesday at the high school gym.

The 2014 Guest Speaker will be retired teacher Colonel Allan K. Bean, U.S. Air Force retired.