Parade and Expo Schedule:
9 a.m. until sold out- BREAKFAST by Skaneateles American Legion and TOPS – Free for Veterans
9 a.m. Phoenix Community Band
10 a.m. Astronaut Jeanette Epps
10:15 a.m. Battle of the Branches 5K Race - https://runsignup.com/Race/Events/NY/Syracuse/BattleOfTheBranchesKSyracuse 11 a.m. Military K-9 11:30 a.m. Brig Juice (local brass ensemble)
Noon Parade

Expo Featuring Special Guest - Astronaut Jeanette Epps, a graduate of Corcoran High School and Le Moyne College, will speak at 10 a.m. in the Center of Progress. Epps was assigned to the SpaceX Dragon capsule as part of NASA’s Crew-8 mission to the International Space Station and spent nearly eight months in orbit. Her appearance offers a unique opportunity for students and families interested in space, science, technology and exploration to hear directly from someone who grew up in Central New York and went on to become a NASA astronaut.

Also honoring, 2026 Grand Marshal: Mike LaNasa, a local Army veteran whose decades of military and community service have made him a leader in Central New York's veterans’ community. LaNasa began his military career as a staff sergeant before attending Officer Candidate School. He subsequently spent 20 years in the officer corps, holding a variety of command and staff positions, including commander and intelligence, logistics and operations officer at the brigade and company levels. He also managed security, logistics and training operations involving more than 500 personnel. After 26 years of service, LaNasa retired from the Army with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel (O-5). His service to the local veterans community has continued long after his military retirement. LaNasa was a charter member of the Veterans Memorial at the Fair and the Eagle Association of CNY. He has served as past chairman of the Veterans Committee of UAW Local 2149, past sponsor of the Veterans Voice Leadership Program, and past chairman of Veterans Day at the War Memorial. He has also served on the Onondaga County Executive Veterans Advisory Board, chaired the War Memorial subcommittee, served as a member of the Onondaga County Veterans Council, and served on the board of the Onondaga County Veterans Cemetery. He was a board member of the Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall Experience in 2005 and remains active in programs at the Syracuse VA Medical Center.