Save the Date for the 28th Annual Camp Gordon Johnston Veterans Parade on Saturday, March 11, 2023 in downtown Carrabelle!
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Past Event
Saturday, March 12, 2022: Camp Gordon Johnston Parade
Come celebrate the 27th Annual Camp Gordon Johnston Veterans Parade on Saturday, March 12, 2022 starting at 10:45 am ET in Carrabelle, FL. This parade is planned especially to honor our country’s remaining WWII veterans as well as recognize and salute all veterans from WWII to present. All veterans, their family and friends as well as the general public are asked to come to Carrabelle to join the celebration of our military veterans. The museum needs the community’s support and participation to make this celebration more special than ever for our veterans.
The Camp Gordon Johnston Parade pays tribute to all veterans of all branches of service. This community parade typically features vintage military vehicles like the WWII DUKW, Willis Jeep, and German Lieferwagen. In addition, entries include other military vehicles, motorcycles, JROTC units, color guards, veteran organizations and auxiliary units, and of course, many civic and community floats, decorated golf carts, gorgeous classic cars, Shriners and beauty queens of all ages. The parade will wind through downtown Carrabelle along US Hwy 98.
The Grand Marshal for the 2022 parade is LTC Herman [Hank] Butler, Jr. Hank Butler enlisted in the U.S. Navy on November 18, 1950, serving for 4 years including during the Korean War. He then went on continue his military service through the National Guard and U.S. Reserves, serving with the Florida Army National Guard for 20 years. Hank served a combined total of 32 years of service to his country in a variety of assignments including on the U.S.S. Cape Esperance, and as a Helicopter Pilot, Forward Observer, and Battery Commander. LTC Herman [Hank] Butler, Jr. retired from service in 1985. LTC Hank Butler has consistently participated in CGJ Days Parades representing the Citrus County Florida Chapter 192 of the Korean War Veterans Association.
Camp Gordon Johnston Museum invites everyone to participate in the parade. Participants do not need any military affiliation to participate, just an appreciation for veterans and military. Individuals, community organizations and businesses are all welcome to participate with a float, vehicle or as walkers. Participants can show their support for our veterans and military service members by displaying red, white and blue colors. There is no cost to participate in the parade. For best parade placement, participants are asked to fill out the 2022 Parade Entry Form and return it by March 7, 2022. Participants who do not register are still encouraged to join.
Immediately after the parade, the museum will also be hosting a Dice Run as a much-needed fundraiser to support the museum’s mission. All types of vehicles are welcome. Registration will be from 12-1:30 pm at the museum and the run will conclude by 4:30 pm. Food and prizes will be provided. For information on the Dice Run, contact Jim Newton at 260-341-7291.
Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum, located at 1873 Highway 98 West, will be open Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm. Guests are encouraged to come and learn the amazing stories of the region’s WWII heroes and see the remarkable artifacts. Overflow and large vehicle parking is available directly across US Hwy 98 at Carrabelle Public Beach Park. While in Carrabelle, participants are encouraged to stay for the weekend (or the week) and enjoy a variety of community activities, attractions, and restaurants.
Info on parade route, spectators, detour / road closure, and parking:
– Parade route: Begins at US Hwy 98 and 10th Street West in Carrabelle FL near the foot of the Tillie Miller Bridge. It winds down Hwy 98 and end at center of town at the corner of US Hwy 98 and Tallahassee / Marine Street.
– Spectators: Encouraged to line the street down Hwy 98. WEAR red, white and blue. DISPLAY ‘Thank You’ signs and / or American Flags if you have one. And CHEER for our veterans!
– Parking: Free, street parking along the side streets close to the parade route (Tallahassee Street, Marine St, and in front of the Carrabelle History Museum at SE Ave B). Additional free parking is available at George Sands Park, corner of Hwy 98 & SE 3rd St.
– Road Closure / Detour: During the parade, US Hwy 98 will be closed to thru traffic on this route starting at 10:40 am on Saturday, March 12. Alternate route via Avenue C North is available.
Sponsors and volunteers are also needed for these festivities. For more information, contact the museum at (850) 697-8575 or museum@campgordonjohnston.com. Funding provided by the Franklin County Tourist Development Council, the City of Carrabelle and the Camp Gordon Johnston Association.
Saturday, March 12, 2022: Dice Run
Join us for the return of the Dice Run on Saturday, March 12, 2022 in Carrabelle, FL as part of the 27th Annual Camp Gordon Johnston Day events. The Camp Gordon Johnston Dice Run will take place immediately following the CGJ Veterans Parade and is a much-needed fundraiser to support the museum’s mission. The funds raised by this event are used to preserve the heritage of the men and women who trained at Camp Gordon Johnston, to share the stories of those who served in WWII, as well as honor all our military veterans.
During this fun event, participants will drive along beautiful coastal US Highway 98 to various fun stops, rolling dice at each one. At the end of the day, those with the highest and the lowest combined dice rolls will win prizes. All types of vehicles are welcome to participate. Registration for the Dice Run will be open from 12-1:30 PM at the first Dice Run Stop, Camp Gordon Johnston Museum, 1873 US Hwy 98 West, at Carrabelle Beach, FL. This year’s official CGJ Dice Run Stops also include Fathom’s Steam Room & Raw Bar in Carrabelle, Apalachicola Ice Company, Eastpoint Beer Company, and Mango Mike’s Sport Bar and Grill on St. George Island. The run will conclude by 4:30 PM at the last stop, American Legion Post #82 in Lanark. In addition to the prizes awarded for the high and low rollers, there will also be door prizes and a 50-50 raffle. Ticket cost for this event is $15 for the rider/driver and $5 for each passenger and includes one dice card and great food at the last stop.
Come to Carrabelle before the Dice Run to enjoy the Veterans Parade either as a participant or a spectator. The parade, which honors and recognizes military veterans and active duty military, will start Saturday, March 12 at 10:45 AM along US Hwy 98 in downtown Carrabelle. Plus visit the museum to learn amazing stories of the region’s WWII heroes and see the remarkable artifacts. The museum will be open on Saturday from 11 AM to 5 PM. While in Carrabelle, stay for the weekend (or the week) and enjoy a variety of community activities, attractions, and restaurants.
Sponsors, volunteers, and door prize donors are needed. Camp Gordon Johnston Association is a 501c3 nonprofit. For more information, go to the museum’s Facebook page or contact Jim Newton at (260) 341-7291 or Mark Melcher at (850) 228-6477. Thank you to this year’s sponsors: Matt’s Small Engine Repair, The Parrish Group, and Carrabelle IGA. Funding provided by the Franklin County Tourist Development Council, the City of Carrabelle and the Camp Gordon Johnston Association.
