This Saturday is the inaugural “Vietnam Welcome Home” celebration hosted by the Tri-State Veterans, and the entire tri-state community is invited to attend.

This celebration is to remember our country’s history and remember those who have fought for our great nation. Starting at 2 p.m. and lasting until 8 p.m., this event includes food and craft vendors, a parade, entertainment and honoring Vietnam Veterans.

The event will be held in the Middlesboro City Parking Lot and will honor Vietnam Veterans throughout the tri-state area with a parade that is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.

The Tri-State Veterans hope to make this an annual event for the Middlesboro area. Each year, the event will recognize a different war or conflict throughout history as a way to honor our veterans.

“The Tri-State Veterans reached out to my office, the Bell County Chamber of Commerce, to help assist them in a welcome home celebration of the Vietnam Veterans. At the conclusion of the Vietnam War, the veterans did not receive the welcoming they deserved. We hope that this event will help them know that we appreciate them and the service they have done for our country,” said Sheila Durham, Bell County Chamber of Commerce executive director.

The Tri-State Veterans have had the whole city behind them as they have planned this event. Working with Bell County Chamber of Commerce, Middlesboro Main Street, Bell County Tourism, and the City of Middlesboro, everyone is working to make this event possible.

This community-wide event will be fun for all ages. A schedule of the events will be as followed:

2 p.m.- Vendors will begin setting up at the Middlesboro City Parking Lot;

4 p.m.- The parade will begin through downtown Middlesboro starting from 15th Street and ending at the Middlesboro City Parking Lot.

Directly after the parade, there will be a welcome ceremony with live music to follow. After the live music, there will be a closing ceremony with a reading of the fallen soldiers from this area to conclude the event.

“Come out and support out veterans,” said Durham. “Let them know how much we appreciate their service and sacrifice.”

As the event is drawing near, applications to set up as a vendor or participate in the parade is about to close. The last day to send in your application is by July 3rd. Please send all applications to the Bell County Chamber of Commerce at 606-248-1075.

For more information contact Durham through email at chamber@bellcountychamber.com or by phone at 606-248-1075. The office is located at 2215 W Cumberland Avenue in Middlesboro.