The City of Port Wentworth is reminding residents and visitors that its 53rd annual Stand Up for America Day Parade and Festival is fast approaching on Saturday, April 25, bringing a full day of patriotic celebration, live entertainment, and community pride honoring veterans and active-duty service members.

This year’s expanded lineup of events includes the addition of a first-ever Stand Up for America Day Gala on Wednesday, April 22, as well as a pageant held earlier this month, making 2026 one of the most robust celebrations in the event’s history.

Festivities on April 25 will kick off with the annual parade from 10 a.m. to noon, beginning at the U.S. Sugar Refinery, located at 201 Oxnard Drive. The parade will feature marching bands, creative floats, and local organizations proudly showcasing their American spirit.

Festival activities will continue throughout the day with food trucks and vendors opening at noon, followed by an awards and presentations ceremony at 1 p.m. on the main stage and a children’s fun zone opening at the same time. Local entertainment will begin at 1:30 p.m., leading into an evening of live music performances.

This year’s entertainment lineup features:
-Andrew Gill from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.
-Derrick Flowers from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
-Edwin McCain, a nationally recognized artist with more than three decades of hits and worldwide touring, headlining from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m.

The evening will conclude with the raffle winner announcement at 5 p.m. and a fireworks show at 9 p.m.

“Stand Up for America Day has been a cherished tradition in Port Wentworth for more than five decades, and it continues to reflect the spirit and unity of our community,” said City Manager Steve Davis. “Each year, we come together to honor the service and sacrifice of our veterans and active-duty military while celebrating the values that bring us together as a community.”

The City of Port Wentworth first hosted Stand Up for America Day on May 6, 1972, as a way to welcome home soldiers returning from the Vietnam War and show appreciation during a time of national division. Today, the
event remains a powerful tribute to service members—past and present—and a celebration of community pride.

New this year, the inaugural Stand Up for America Day Gala will take place on Wednesday, April 22, at the Savannah Convention Center, 1 International Drive, Savannah, from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. During this event, the Citizen of the Year and Community Champion of the Year will be recognized. Port Wentworth takes pride in its strong ties to the military community, and the gala offers local businesses and industry partners an opportunity to further support organizations that provide vital services, advocacy, and resources to veterans and their families.

All funds raised from this year’s festivities will support three nonprofit organizations focused on veterans, including American Gold Star Mothers Inc., Combat Boots 2 The Boardroom, and the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

Family, friends, residents, and visitors are encouraged to attend this community-wide celebration honoring heroes and fostering civic pride.

Vendor applications, gala registration, and raffle ticket purchases are available at https://portwentworthga.gov/events-sufad/. Raffle tickets are $20 each or five for $90, with a chance to win a 2025 Polaris Ranger Crew 570 Full-Size.

For more information on the City of Port Wentworth, visit https://portwentworthga.gov