Veterans Day parade seeks 250 volunteers to help lead parade as ‘Rosie the Riveter’

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- "Rosie the Riveter" has been announced as the grand marshal for the 2026 In Their Honor Veterans Day Parade in November.

According to officials, the parade committee is looking for 250 women to dress as "Rosies" in honor of the United States' 250th anniversary. They say it's a way to honor veterans and the women who went to work in factories to help power the military during World War II.

“She is an icon in American history. She represents the hard work and the resilience and the dedication of a generation of women who rolled up their sleeves and went to work in America’s factories during World War II,” said Andy Koen, public relations director for O’Donnell & O’Donnell, who organizes the parade.

They are asking those interested to wear red and white polka dot bandanas along with blue-collar uniforms to help lead the parade.

Parade organizers also announced a partnership with the Pikes Peak Small Business Development Center, which will be hosting a business conference to connect veteran entrepreneurs, military spouses and more in the broader community on Nov. 4 from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Antlers Hotel.

As part of Veterans Week, there will be a public art display, Salute from the Springs, starting on Nov. 1 that features 1,111 U.S. flags in the downtown area. Organizers say people can sponsor a flag in honor of a veteran or military member within their family for $25. All money raised from the sponsorships will go toward the parade.

The Pikes Peak Veterans Council will also hold a wreath-laying ceremony at Memorial Park in the monuments garden at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11.

The Veterans Day parade will start on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 11 a.m. in downtown Colorado Springs. The parade will run its traditional route along Tejon Street, starting at Saint Vrain and going to Vermijo Avenue. Organizers say those interested in being a "Rosie" need to be comfortable walking the entire parade route, which is around three-quarters of a mile.

More information on the parade, including how to sponsor a flag and enroll as a "Rosie" is available on the parade's website.

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