Veterans Day 2026 in Maryville: School's Out Wednesday, and Gentle Ways to Mark the Day With Kids
Wednesday, November 11 is Veterans Day, and Blount County students get the day off school. It is a mid-week break that shows up on the calendar earlier than most parents remember, so it is worth putting on the fridge now.
If you have an older kid who handles a drive and a crowd, the 101st annual Knoxville Veterans Day Parade runs down Gay Street starting at 10:45 that morning. It is hosted by American Legion Post 2 and is free to attend. It is roughly a 45 minute drive from Maryville, so it works best as a morning trip for families who want the full experience of the day.
Closer to home, Blount County's own veterans organizations, including American Legion Post 13 on Waters Road in Maryville, support veterans year round with public ceremonies and programs. If you want to help your kids connect to the day locally, that is a good place to start, and cards or kind words for the veterans in your own family or neighborhood are always appreciated.
For younger kids, Veterans Day is a gentle introduction to a big idea. It is worth taking a minute to explain the difference between this day and Memorial Day: Veterans Day honors everyone who has served, living or not; Memorial Day remembers those who died in service. A simple version, a hand-drawn card, and a quiet thank you is plenty for a five year old.
One thing to plan around: Thanksgiving break follows soon after, with Blount County Schools closed November 23 through 27. Veterans Day can feel like the first sign that the holiday stretch is here.