Canyon Lake honors veterans at Holiday Harbor celebration

Canyon Lake showed its deep appreciation for veterans with a series of special events in celebration of Veterans Day. The city hosted the Veterans Day celebration at Holiday Harbor Park, featuring guest speakers, entertainment and old-fashioned picnic contests.

The Saturday event began with an invocation by Captain Duckworth, as announced by council member Jennifer Dain. The audience also had the privilege of hearing from retired Colonel and Iraq Veteran Mark Johnson, who spoke about the importance of veterans in the community and his experiences working with them.

The traditional Veterans Day Flyover was performed Saturday Show Boss Productions and drew applause and awe from those at the celebration. Photo by Calista Grande

Adding to the patriotic spirit of the day, 11-year-old Joseph Luna, son of the owners of PZA restaurant, sang a stirring rendition of the National Anthem. The Canyon Lake Choraleers performed patriotic songs, enhancing the down-home picnic atmosphere.

The day included games and contests. A pie eating contest for adults was won for the second year in a row by Nic Welty.

The celebration concluded with a much-anticipated flyover, watched by an admiring crowd and visible from most of Canyon Lake.

Canyon Lake Quilters present this patriotic quilt to Council Member Mark Terry’s father, Jack Terry, who served in the Army from 1958 to 1961. Joining the two are Lynda Morrissette, Ronda McCord, Kathy Barbay and Linda Brown. Photo by Calista Grande

In a show of support and gratitude, the owners of the PZA restaurant in the Canyon Lake Town Center and the owners of Patriotic Arms offered free meals to veterans and active-duty service members on Saturday.

A total of 190 free meals were distributed.

Additionally, the Canyon Lake Yacht Club hosted a Veterans Day Cruise around the lake, providing another opportunity for the community to gather and honor the veterans.

Canyon Lake’s Veterans Day celebrations reflect the city’s patriotic spirit and deep respect for those who have served and sacrificed for the nation.

Nic Welty takes a break after downing the entire pie faster than his competitors for the second year in a row to win the Pie Eating Contest at the city’s Veteran’s Day Celebration Saturday. Photo by Kellie Welty

The community’s efforts to honor its veterans through various events and gestures speak volumes about its appreciation and support for these heroes.