The Patriot Guard will participate in the 2026 73nd Annual Parade of Nations Norfolk NATO Festival, an International Celebration since 1953. We have been doing this for several years and have always been a crowd favorite. TIMES HAVE CHANGED FOR THIS YEAR SO PLEASE TAKE NOTE IN THE INSTRUCTIONS SECTION.
This year again we will have a walking flag line with Cadets from Virginia Civil Air Patrol. Anyone else is welcome to join. Let me know in advance so we can make sure we will have flags for you.
We will also be setting up our tent at the 2026 Hullabaloo on the Scope Plaza Friday and Saturday. We will set out our PGR flag for signing and meet with all the visitors from the different NATO Nations. We will be allowed to have two bikes on display. I need one person for Friday Night. Will also need assistance with our Tent, Table and Chairs. I will be bringing them.
17 April – Friday night 4:30 – 7:30 pm. We would need to be there around 3:00 pm to set up. Once display Bike is in place, you cannot leave until 7:30 pm.
18 April – Saturday 11:30 am – 7:30 pm. We would need to be there around 10:00 am to set up. Someone not in the parade would need to stay and staff the tent. We have the display motorcycles for Saturday.
We were also asked to help with the Virginia Tattoo, asking as escorts taking VIPs to their seats. I haven’t received much response from our members about assisting.
There are a lot of moving parts this year and I really could use some help pulling it together.
April 18, 2026 — 10:00 AM
150 Park Avenue
Norfolk, Virginia 23510
Ride Captain:
Wayne Anderson [email protected] 757-880-0000
Rich Fredley [email protected] 757-408-0933
Norm Lyster [email protected] 757-575-9159
Instructions:
There are a lot of moving pieces this year. We will need assistance from our members.
Be at the Harbor Park parking lot no later than 10:00 am.
Roads will be closing so enter via Park Avenue. We have not received our lot staging area yet. I will push it out as soon as possible. You can also ask a volunteer where the Patriot Guard will staging. We are usually up front.
Parade kicks off at 12:00 this year.
It is a 1 mile route.
After the parade we encourage all participants to help at our tent on the Scope Plaza. You will have to find and pay for your own parking.
If you speak a foreign language, that would be a plus for crowd interaction.
We need assistance on Friday, 4/17 from 4:00 pm to 7:30 pm at our tent on the Scope Plaza.
You will have to find and pay for your own parking. There are nearby parking decks.
Flags will be provided.
If you have large bike flags, please bring them.
Water will not be provided, please bring your own.
Submitted by: Wayne Anderson
Virginia Assistant State Captain
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