In a year that has seen the cancellation of many public events, the East Valley Veterans Parade Association is hosting its annual parade in a new format 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11.

“In a novel twist, the parade will take place in reverse. There will be 25 to 30 parade entries stationed along the parade route on Center Street, and the spectators will become the parade,” according to a release.

Residents from throughout the Valley will be encouraged to decorate their automobiles in patriotic themes to express their appreciation for lives of service as they drive through the parade route to view the parade entries.

“As it became obvious that the traditional parade format would not be feasible in the midst of the ongoing pandemic, we looked for a new way of holding our annual event to honor and thank our active and retired military as a community,” Lisa Sandoval, EVVP president and parade director, said in the release. “This way, the parade will go on and people will still have an opportunity to support past and present members of our military through an active and public display.”

This year’s parade theme will be “Celebrating Lives of Service,” in recognition of both military service on behalf of our country as well as the many ways veterans continue to serve their communities through first-responder and medical careers, as well as ongoing volunteer service — a vital part of our nation’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the release states.

The parade will start at MLK Jr. Way and Center Street and head south to First Street. Details on the parade route and participating entries are on the East Valley Veterans Parade website at evvp.org and its Facebook page @EastValleyVeteransParade.