ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — There will be several of Veterans Day ceremonies and events for Wednesday, Nov. 11, in Western North Carolina.

History of Veterans Day

According to the United States Department of Veteran Affairs, Veterans Day’s roots go back to Nov. 11, 1918, when the armistice ending major hostilities of World War I went into effect at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. It symbolized the end of “the war to end all wars.”

According to an article on the Department of Veteran Affairs website, in 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Nov. 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory.”

On May 13, 1938, the United States government made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday and called it Armistice Day. The Department of Veteran Affairs’ website said it wasn’t until 1954 that the name was changed to Veterans Day.

Veterans Day ceremonies in WNC

Asheville

  • Event: Charles George VA Medical Center Veterans Day Ceremony
  • Time: 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
  • Location: Charles George VA Medical Center, 1100 Tunnel Rd., Asheville.
  • Keynote speaker: Kevin Rumley, director of the Veterans Treatment Court Program, Marine Corps veteran and Purple Heart recipient.
  • Program highlights: Community remarks and recognition of veterans, presentation of Colors by Owen High School JROTC, musical selections by the A.C. Reynolds High School Choral Group, readings from Brothers and Sisters Like These
  • Special event after ceremony: A memorial bench honoring veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom will be unveiled at approximately 12:15 p.m. The bench was crafted by veteran and chainsaw artist Mike Ayers using wood salvaged from Helene.

Hendersonville

  • Event: Veterans Day Ceremony
  • Time: 11 a.m.
  • Location: Forest Lawn Memorial Park, 538 Tracy Grove Rd.
  • Event highlights: There will be the traditional presentation of colors, along with guest speakers

Black Mountain

  • Event: Veterans Day Parade
  • Time: 2 p.m.
  • Location: General route will be State Street, according to previous parade routes
  • Special participation: America 250 NC.

Weaverville

  • Event: Veterans Day Observance
  • Time: 11 a.m. – noon.
  • Location: Albert Weaver Room, Weaverville Community Center, 60 Lakeshore Drive, Weaverville
  • Featured speaker: U.S. Army Command Sergeant Major Benjamin D. Garner
  • Additional participants: Pastor Rebecca Gurney and the Asheville Senior Choir

Brevard

  • Event: Transylvania County Veterans Day Ceremony
  • Time: 11 a.m.
  • Location: In front of the Transylvania County Courthouse, downtown Brevard.
  • Additional information: East Main Street will be closed to vehicle traffic between Broad Street and Gaston Street from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Franklin

  • Event: Veterans Day Parade and Ceremony
  • Time: 10 a.m. parade lineup; 10:30 a.m. parade departure; 11 a.m. ceremony.
  • Starting point: Lower-level parking lot at Franklin Town Hall.
  • Parade destination: Gazebo on the Square, downtown Franklin.

Sylva

  • Event: Jackson County Veterans Day Concert and Celebration
  • Time: 3 p.m.
  • Location: Bridge Park, 139 Bridge Street, Sylva.
  • Organizer: Jackson County Veteran Services.
  • Admission: Free for spectators.

Veterans Day closures in WNC

Veterans Day is a federal holiday, so federal government offices will be closed Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026. North Carolina state government offices also generally observe the holiday.

In addition to all the WNC counties’ government offices and city government offices being closed, below is a list of state offices also closed on Nov. 11:

  • NCDMV driver license offices
  • NCDMV license plate agencies
  • North Carolina state government administrative offices
  • North Carolina state courts