Events
Heroes Stroll (ADA accessible)
What is VETFEST?
Who, What, When, Where, Why, How
Everyone in the community is welcome and encouraged to attend this FREE event!
WHO VETLINX, an all-volunteer 501c3 nonprofit
organization in Middle Tennessee is hosting the
5th annual VETFEST and HEROES STROLL to
celebrate military family service, Veteran owned
businesses, offer resources, and have a fun-filled
day with family, friends, and neighbors.
WHEN Saturday, October 2, 2021
Heroes Stroll
Registration begins at 09:00 AM
Stroll begins at 09:30 AM
VETFEST
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
WHERE Granny White Park
610 Granny White Pike
Brentwood, TN 37027
WHY To bring the community, military families, friends,
and supporters together for a fun-filled day of
recognition, entertainment, and activities.
PURPOSE Bring the community and military community together, increase awareness about
resources available to Veterans, have direct access to support services, and celebrate
and recognize those who served in the military and those who support them.
HOW Event will be funded by local businesses and donations via purchase of
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Advertisement online and/or in tribute journal.
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Price varies by package $150 to $10,000
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Space rental 10x10 space or more with other level of sponsorship
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Veteran organizations will not be charged a fee for space at the event.
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All will be required to bring own set up materials including a 10x10 tent.
WHAT: VETFEST is a family-friendly festival and everyone is encouraged to come out and
enjoy the day! Come out and meet new friends!
FEATURES:
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Onsite resources for benefits, housing, medical, education, employment, food, mental health.
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All Day Live Entertainment
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Recognition ceremonies which will include the following:
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Quilts of Valor
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Missing Man Ceremony
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Flag Folding Ceremony and the meaning behind each fold.
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Military displays
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Art and activities tents- play card games, do an art project, yard games, and there will be a Branch of Service War game!
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Kid zone will feature prizes and activities i.e., yard games, face painting, make a button, art projects, and more!
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Lawn games
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Time Machine Landing Zone! The community is encouraged to adopt an era of service and make a display or dress in military clothing from the era you are representing. We would like to have all eras of service represented from 1776-Present. Some exhibits may feature topographic maps showing different units theater of operations.
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WWII Veteran visits a display that one of the families put together as part of a home-school project. The display was very meaningful to this gentleman and his family!
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Veteran Owned Businesses
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Veteran Organizations
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Prize giveaways!
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Dunking booth!
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Lawn space to bring a blanket or chair and sit on the lawn and listen to great music!
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Much more!
BRIDGING THE GAPS THROUGH PROJECTS & EVENTS
VetLinx announces VETFEST is postponed till 2022
In addition to the COVID 19 status in Tennessee, other recent developments present an issue in hosting the event this year. We are so sorry that we wont be with our VETFEST family this year and certainly hope you will join us next year!
The most pressing reason we decided to postpone is due to recent trends in COVID 19 Delta variant. In a news brief released on 9/8/21 by Zach Gilchriest with WSMV News Channel 4, 1 out of every 78 Tennesseans currently has the virus.
9/8/21- 1 in 78 Tennesseans currently has COVID-19
It was mentioned in our last email that the number of Tennessee cases rose 1,800% in 55 days and 200 National Guard personnel were deployed to local hospitals to support the surge in cases. A spokesman for the hospitals urges Tennessee leaders to do everything possible to prevent spread to keep the hospitals afloat.
I've shared with some of you my personal experiences with witnessing the increase in number of admissions to hospice for COVID-19 patients that are being sent home to live out their final hours. We haven’t seen much making headlines but this may change in the near future, particularly after large gatherings. The Delta variant is much more contagious and we are seeing this in the number of cases.
For your own safety, here are some local news sites that talk about the trends in a bit more detail.
9/9/21 200 NG deployed to local hospitals
9/10/21 One out of every 500 Tennesseans have died from COVID
9/13/21 Tennessee reports highest number of new COVID-19 cases with 15,411 new cases reported in one day
Based on the status of COVID-19 in Tennessee and the latest developments that have presented barriers to hosting it this year, Vetfest will be postponed till next year.
Thank you for your understanding and more importantly, for putting your heart and soul into making VETFEST so meaningful for all who attend each year. We will be working on the 2022 event and we certainly look forward to seeing you then! Please pass along the information about Vetfest being postponed till 2022.
Stay Safe!
Laurel Bowman, BSN, RN
VetLinx Administrator
Reimbursement for booths: We have reimbursed 100% of the booth fees for those who paid for one this year.
Davidson County Coordinating Council's
Davidson County
Regional Veterans Day Parade
Downtown Nashville
Meet us in front of the downtown Nashville Subaru
1512 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203
On
November 11, 2021
Parade
11:00 AM