West Des Moines, Iowa-based Hy-Vee is sponsoring this year’s Veterans Day at the Iowa State Fair. With that sponsorship, active and former members of the U.S. military can receive $12 gate admission for themselves and a companion by showing proof of veteran or active-duty military status from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 17.
The Veterans Day at the Iowa State Fair Parade will be held at 11 a.m. along the Grand Concourse. To mark America 250, this year’s parade will feature a special tribute honoring veterans of every U.S. war.
As part of the day, Hy-Vee will host a special area along the Grand Concourse showcasing several organizations it supports through its Hy-Vee Homefront initiative. Visitors can meet service dogs trained to help military veterans by the Puppy Jake Foundation and leave messages on quilts for wounded veterans through Operation First Response.
Hy-Vee’s main booth will be located inside the Varied Industries Building for all 11 days of the fair. At the booth, visitors can write messages of support that the USO will share with deployed U.S. servicemembers. Fairgoers also can pick up a free reusable Hy-Vee tote bag, grab a temporary tattoo and get a chance to win prizes.
Part of broader America 250 efforts
The fair sponsorship is one of several initiatives Hy-Vee has undertaken to commemorate America 250 this year. In June, the grocer donated more than $330,000 raised through customer donations, along with a $100,000 corporate match, to its Hy-Vee Homefront partner organizations. In May, Hy-Vee partnered with the USO to distribute 5,000 hygiene kits to deploying and active-duty service members.
Later this year, Hy-Vee is sponsoring five Honor Flights, including the Hy-Vee Central Iowa Honor Flight, to take veterans to Washington, D.C., to see their respective war memorials.
Hy-Vee is an employee-owned corporation operating more than 540 business units across nine Midwestern states, with annual sales of more than $14 billion and more than 70,000 employees.