30th Annual Camp Gordon Johnston Day Veterans Parade – Saturday, March 8, 2025
Come celebrate the 30th Annual Camp Gordon Johnston Veterans Parade on Saturday, March 8, 2025 starting at 10:45 am ET in Carrabelle, FL. This parade is planned especially to honor our country’s remaining WWII veterans as well as recognize and salute all veterans from WWII to present. All veterans, their family and friends as well as the general public are asked to come to Carrabelle to join the celebration of our military veterans. The museum needs the community’s support and participation to make this celebration more special than ever for our veterans.
The Camp Gordon Johnston Parade pays tribute to all veterans of all branches of service. This community parade typically features vintage military vehicles like the WWII DUKW, Willis Jeep, and German Lieferwagen. In addition, entries include other military vehicles, motorcycles, JROTC units, color guards, veteran organizations and auxiliary units, and of course, many civic and community floats, decorated golf carts, gorgeous classic cars, Shriners and beauty queens of all ages. The parade will wind through downtown Carrabelle along US Hwy 98.
Camp Gordon Johnston Museum invites everyone to participate in the parade. Participants do not need any military affiliation to participate, just an appreciation for veterans and military. Individuals, community organizations and businesses are all welcome to participate with a float, vehicle or as walkers. Participants can show their support for our veterans and military service members by displaying red, white and blue colors. There is no cost to participate in the parade. For best parade placement, participants are asked to fill out the 2025 Parade Entry Form and return it by February 28, 2025. Participants who do not register are still encouraged to join.
Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum, located at 1873 Highway 98 West, will be open Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm. Guests are encouraged to come and learn the amazing stories of the region’s WWII heroes and see the remarkable artifacts. Overflow and large vehicle parking is available directly across US Hwy 98 at Carrabelle Public Beach Park. While in Carrabelle, participants are encouraged to stay for the weekend (or the week) and enjoy a variety of community activities, attractions, and restaurants.
Info on parade route, spectators, detour / road closure, and parking:
– Parade route: Begins at US Hwy 98 and 10th Street West in Carrabelle FL near the foot of the Tillie Miller Bridge. It winds down Hwy 98 and ends at center of town at the corner of US Hwy 98 and Tallahassee / Marine Street.
– Spectators: Encouraged to line the street down Hwy 98. WEAR red, white and blue. DISPLAY ‘Thank You’ signs and / or American Flags if you have one. And CHEER for our veterans!
– Parking: Free, street parking along the side streets close to the parade route (Tallahassee Street, Marine St, and in front of the Carrabelle History Museum at SE Ave B). Additional free parking is available at George Sands Park, corner of Hwy 98 & SE 3rd St.
– Road Closure / Detour: During the parade, US Hwy 98 will be closed to thru traffic on this route starting at 10:40 am on Saturday, March 8. Alternate route via Avenue C North is available.
Sponsors and volunteers are also needed for these festivities. For more information, contact the museum at (850) 697-8575 or museum@campgordonjohnston.com. Sponsored by Emerald Coast Federal Credit Union. Funding provided by the Franklin County Tourist Development Council, the City of Carrabelle, and the Camp Gordon Johnston Association.
6th Annual Dice Run – Saturday, March 8, 2025
Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum and the American Legion Post 82 Camp Gordon Johnston have joined forces to host the better than ever 6th Annual Dice Run on Saturday, March 8, 2025 in Carrabelle, FL as part of the 30th Annual Camp Gordon Johnston Day. The Dice Run will take place following the CGJ Veterans Parade and is a much-needed fundraiser to support the missions of both Camp Gordon Johnston Museum and American Legion Post 82. The funds raised are used to share the stories of those who trained at Camp Gordon Johnston and those who served in WWII and to honor all our military veterans.
The Dice Run is open to all bikers, riders, car clubs, Jeepers, veteran supporters, social organizations and anyone looking for a day of fun and friendly competition. If it’s legal to operate on a Florida highway, you can participate! The event will start at the Camps Gordon Johnston WWII Museum. During this event, participants will enjoy a leisurely ride or drive along the Forgotten Coast on beautiful coastal US Highway 98 to various fun stops, rolling dice at each one. At the end of the day, those with the highest and the lowest combined dice rolls will win prizes. There will be additional stops around the county and then the run will conclude by 4:30 pm at the American Legion Post 82 in Lanark . This year the final stop party will include dinner, live music, prizes, and raffles.
Registration for the Dice Run will be available online soon at https://cgjevents.ticketleap.com/dicerun5/.
Guests are urged to come to Carrabelle before the Dice Run to enjoy the Veterans Parade either as a participant or a spectator. The parade, which honors and recognizes military veterans and active duty military, will start Saturday, March 8 at 10:45 am along US Hwy 98 in downtown Carrabelle. Visitors are also welcome to visit the museum to learn amazing stories of the region’s WWII heroes and see the remarkable artifacts. The museum will be open from 11 am to 5 pm. While in Carrabelle, participants are encouraged to stay for the weekend (or the week) and enjoy a variety of community activities, attractions, and restaurants.
Camp Gordon Johnston Museum and American Legion Post 82 are seeking sponsors, volunteers, and door prize donors for this event. Camp Gordon Johnston Association and American Legion Post 82 are both 501c3 nonprofits. For more information, call the museum at (850) 697-8575. Sponsored by Emerald Coast Federal Credit Union. Funding provided by the Franklin County Tourist Development Council, the City of Carrabelle, and the Camp Gordon Johnston Association.
Thank you to these organizations and business for sponsoring and funding this year’s event.