Communities throughout Santa Barbara County are preparing to recognize Veterans Day Tuesday, with ceremonies, luncheons and public gatherings to honor the service of current and former U.S. military members.

While most local observances will be held on Tuesday, the Santa Barbara County Veterans Foundation (SBCVF) will host its fifth annual Santa Ynez Valley Salute to the Vets on Saturday in Solvang.

The free event will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Solvang Park, 1630 Mission Drive, with free parking available. Attractions will include a military vehicle display, games with prizes, a silent auction, raffle and live music by Out of the Blue.

Food, beer and wine will be available for purchase, with proceeds benefiting local veterans programs.

“The food and beverages are for sale, but those are all donations,” said SBCVF President Jerry Farmer. “So any money that we make on that is donated.”

Veterans Day is observed each year on Nov. 11, commemorating the 1918 armistice that ended World War I. That moment of peace is remembered nationwide at the “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.”

On Tuesday, communities across Santa Barbara County will continue their observance with ceremonies, tributes and public gatherings.

Typically, those events would include speakers from Vandenberg Space Force Base but won’t this year due to the government shutdown and lapse in appropriations, a representative said.

Santa Barbara

A Veterans Day ceremony at Santa Barbara Cemetery, 901 Channel Dr., is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Tuesday.

This year’s ceremony, presented by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1649 and the Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation, will feature the first public performance of “The Veteran,” a new piece by Grammy Award-winning composer Barry De Vorzon.

The program, held near the cemetery’s main flagpole, will include presentations by the UCSB Color Guard, the Gold Coast Pipe & Drum Band, David Gonzales and the Santa Barbara Choral Society, the Prime Time Band and the Sons of the American Revolution. 

A ceremonial flyover by the Condor Squadron will conclude the event.

Seating will be available for up to 500 attendees, with additional standing room and parking on site.

Solvang

Community members are invited to gather at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Veterans Memorial Hall, 1745 Mission Dr. in Solvang, for the annual Veterans Day ceremony. Hosted by VFW Post 7139, the event is open to the public and typically draws around 300 attendees.

The program will begin with a flag raising by American Legion Post 160 and a flyover by local aircraft from the Santa Ynez Airport. Inside the main hall, the ceremony will include speakers from VFW Post 7139, a proclamation from Solvang Mayor David Brown, and performances by the Santa Ynez Valley Chorale and the Santa Ynez Valley Jazz Band.

A free luncheon will be served afterward in the American Legion Wing of the Veterans Memorial Hall.

Santa Maria

In North County, a Veterans Day ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Freedom Monument Veterans Memorial, 600 S. McClelland St. in Santa Maria.

Hosted by the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce and the City of Santa Maria, this year’s ceremony will include a dedication of a new plaque honoring local veteran associations and a tribute to the 113 Santa Maria Valley service members who died in conflicts from World War I to the present day.

Also in Santa Maria, Michael B. Clayton and Associates at Law will host a community barbecue from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Center, 313 W. Tunnell St. Meals will be free for past, present and active-duty military members and their immediate families. All others are welcome to attend and enjoy lunch for a $5 donation.

Lompoc

A ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Lompoc Veterans Memorial Building, 100 E. Locust Ave. The event will feature a drive-by tribute from local police and fire departments and include remarks from a local speaker. The ceremony is organized in part by the Lompoc Rotary Club.

Lompoc Elks Lodge No. 2274 will host a free Veterans Day lunch and prize drawing for veterans and active-duty military from noon to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at 905 E. Ocean Ave. in Lompoc. Non-military guests are welcome to attend for $12.

Guadalupe

A ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Guadalupe Cemetery District, 4655 W. Main St. The program will include a ceremonial flag raising and the singing of the national anthem, followed by remarks from Mayor Ariston Julian, keynote speaker Deborah Sykes and Al Nunez.

Immediately following the ceremony, attendees are invited to the Veterans Hall, 1025 Guadalupe St. for a light lunch. The event is organized by American Legion Post 371 and Vietnam Veterans Chapter 982.

Orcutt

A traditional ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Pine Grove Cemetery, 1100 Stubblefield Road. Hosted by American Legion Post 534, the community gathering will be immediately followed by a hot dog social.