Petaluma plans large Veterans Day parade on Wednesday

The annual Petaluma’s Veterans Day Parade will begin at 1 p.m. Wednesday and wind its way through downtown Petaluma with 120 entries.

Also, in conjunction with other Veterans Day events, the Petaluma Historical Museum opens “Schindler: The Exhibition,” in its exclusive Northern California display.

Several roads around downtown will be closed from noon to 3 p.m. Wednesday and roads near the parade route are expected to be clogged as more than 100 parade vehicles maneuver to the staging area.

One entry alone comprises 50 military vehicles.

This year’s parade, sponsored by American Legion Post No. 28 and community donors, is expected to draw nearly 10,000 people, organizer Steve Kemmerle said.

Participants include veterans walking groups, marching bands, military vehicles, motorcycles, antique cars and trucks and a mounted sheriff’s posse. The grand marshal is Army Lt. Col. Steve Countouriotis, a Petaluma resident who served multiple tours of duty flying Blackhawk helicopters in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Parade highlights include a T-34 Russian Tank and a Russian M-85 artillery piece, which the National Guard will carry on a low-bed truck, and a Huey helicopter, Yak vintage planes and a P-51 Mustang, which will participate in a flyover.

Following the parade, ceremonies including speakers and music will be held at Walnut Park. A hot dog lunch sponsored by Raley’s will be held at the Petaluma Veterans Memorial Building, 1094 Petaluma Blvd. South.

Road closures will include: Petaluma Boulevard North between Washington Street and E Street, Fourth/Kentucky Street between Washington Street and I Street and Western Avenue between Keller Street and Water Street.

Beginning Tuesday, the Petaluma Historical Museum opens “Schindler: The Exhibition,” organized by the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted. Exhibit hours are Mondays-Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 3 p.m.

“Schindler” tells story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved the lives of more than 1,000 Polish Jewish refugees during the Holocaust.

The museum is at 20 Fourth St.