Budget cuts won’t stop Veterans Day Parade today

Tiny red, white and blue ribbons and vibrant American flags will stream from car windows… Tiny red, white and blue ribbons and vibrant American flags will stream from car windows and business windows alike to celebrate the heroes of war.

Between the hours of 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., the streets of Downtown Pittsburgh will be temporarily shut down to celebrate the war veterans in our city.

Although there was some buzz about the city budget crisis and whether or not the city could afford to fund upcoming holiday events, the annual Veterans Day Parade will go on as scheduled today.

The patriotic parade will march from the Mellon Arena on Centre Avenue, up Fifth Avenue and down Liberty Avenue. It will end at the Hilton hotel by the Point.

According to Michael Murphy, the assistant director for Allegheny County Veterans Affairs, the parade will probably last about three hours and will involve a red, white and blue motif.

“We have a great participant turnout this year and hope that many people come out to see the parade,” Murphy said.

Sponsored by the Federation of War Veterans, the parade needed alternative funding sources because of city budget cuts, which reduced the number of police officers and crossing guards to patrol the area. With funding from the Allegheny County Veterans’ Affairs, this year’s festivities are going as planned – just with a little more work.

“People forget that if it wasn’t for the veterans, we wouldn’t have our daily freedoms, such as freedom of speech and freedom of the press,” Murphy said.

The annual Light Up Night Downtown is another popular Pittsburgh event, and is planned annually by the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, a nonprofit organization. The group hopes to encourage more people to come into the city during the holidays.

Sponsored by Duquesne Light, this bright holiday event brings family and friends together and into the city to see Downtown Pittsburgh at its best.

On Nov. 21, the events will begin as early as 6 a.m., and the holiday cheer festivities go well into the night.

The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership will kick off the event the night before at 6:15 p.m, with the lighting and unveiling of a 28-foot-tall interactive display on Smithfield Street.

“It will be similar to the displays at Hartwood Acres [in the North Hills Area] or Oglebay in West Virginia,” said Sarah Bentz, retail promotions and events coordinator for the PDP.

“It’s easy for student to get Downtown, especially since Pitt students ride the buses for free,” said Bentz, a Pitt alumna.

From horse carriage rides and department store displays in each window, to “Cityscape” concerts and meeting Santa Claus himself, there will be something for everyone to welcome in the Christmas season.