Special Thanks to THE EL CAPITAN for all they do to support this event every year.

Armed Forces Day Celebration
Hawthorne, Nevada
  • HISTORY & INFORMATION
  • VENDOR PACKETS & FEES
  • PARADE APPLICATION & FEES
  • FUNDRAISING
  • 2026 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
  • MEMORIES
  • More
    • HISTORY & INFORMATION
    • VENDOR PACKETS & FEES
    • PARADE APPLICATION & FEES
    • FUNDRAISING
    • 2026 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
    • MEMORIES
Armed Forces Day Celebration
Hawthorne, Nevada
  • HISTORY & INFORMATION
  • VENDOR PACKETS & FEES
  • PARADE APPLICATION & FEES
  • FUNDRAISING
  • 2026 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
  • MEMORIES

We've begun planning our events for hawthorne's 75th armed forces day celebration! If You are planning something Please Let us know!

75th Armed Forces Day Celebration Events & Vendor List!

Armed Forces Day Committee Events

This Year's list of Food Vendors as they confirm with us.

This Year's list of Food Vendors as they confirm with us.

Parade at Noon on Saturday (Line up by 11, get numbers by 10:00)

We will be sponsoring an outdoor band outside of Gils with family activities outside of the American Legion on Friday Evening and the same band will play for the VFW on Saturday evening at the USO Building, where you will find fun indoor activities after a day outside. Come support our local Veterans/Military service organizations. 

This Year's list of Food Vendors as they confirm with us.

This Year's list of Food Vendors as they confirm with us.

This Year's list of Food Vendors as they confirm with us.

Alicia's Mexican Food, Glazed and Confused, Hungary Express, New Life USA AKA Hungry Digger, SouthWest Smokers, T&D Tacos, Tacos El Yusa, Wendes Hit and Miss IceCream, WildWest Burgers, Betty Boo Bakery, Jedi Churros, Kingz Concessions, Sugar Rush Character, Salucita Sips n More, Tacos El Buki  

Flippin Out Trampoline Show

Merchandise/Information Vendors as they confirm.

Merchandise/Information Vendors as they confirm.

Stay tuned for the schedule of shows and place to see em. 

Merchandise/Information Vendors as they confirm.

Merchandise/Information Vendors as they confirm.

Merchandise/Information Vendors as they confirm.

 Drawful Caricatures,  Family Search, J&K Enterprises, Krafty Kreations,  Trends, Nevada Dept of Veterans Services,  CASAT/UNR, Pittman's Dark Arcana, Gloria's, Knots N Pots, Martin Neff's, Tillie's Nevada, Hartkin, Beautiful Soul Jewelry, Family Search, Knots n Pots, Krafty Kreations, R&C Revolutionary Creations, Roots, Linda's Charms, NV Surprise Lady, Radiant Road Relics, 

FIREWORKS!! At around 9pm Friday evening of AFD Courtesy of the El Capitan, Travel LOdge, Northstar Casinos.

Events Sponsored by other Entities

American Legion Post 19

American Legion Post 19

American Legion Post 19

In conjunction with the Armed Forces Day Committee there will family friendly fun Friday evening in the dirt lot next to the American Legion on 7th and E st

VFW Post 2313

American Legion Post 19

American Legion Post 19

 

 **Cornhole for a Cause!** 

Join the Htown Baggers and the VFW for a fun-filled **Fundraiser Cornhole Tournament** benefiting **VFW POST 2313**!

 Location: USO Building
950 E St, Hawthorne, NV 89415

 Hosted by: H-Town Baggers
Check-in: 10:30 AM
Bags fly: 11:00 AM

Bring your friends, your best toss, and your competitive spirit—all while supporting a great cause for our veterans 

 Prizes, good times, and community vibes guaranteed!

See the flyer on the fundraiser page*

Elk Lodge No. 1704

American Legion Post 19

Barley's Sports Bar

Head on over to 595 5th street on Saturday morning for pancakes and sausages, then pop around the corner to the parade's Grandstand at 11am for their flag ceremony in conjunction with the Local Boy Scout troops.  On Sunday morning they will have a full breakfast. 

Will update with times asap

Barley's Sports Bar

Al Ferrell's Celebration of Life will be held at the Hawthorne Junior High School Gymnasium Thursday

Barley's Sports Bar

Good old fashioned Watermelon and Hot Dog eating contest!!!!!

Car Show

Horse Shoes (tentative)

Planning a Bar March - start practicing your cadence call now. 

OTHERS

Al Ferrell's Celebration of Life will be held at the Hawthorne Junior High School Gymnasium Thursday

Al Ferrell's Celebration of Life will be held at the Hawthorne Junior High School Gymnasium Thursday

Hawthorne's Hometown Quilt Show Located at 5th and C Street at the old courthouse lawn. Saturday May 16, 1pm to 6pm 

All quilts (old & new) as well as for show and sale are welcome. Special entry for patriotic in honor of Armed Forces Day

Contact Cindy Nixon 775-312-1394 Heidi Johnson 775-217-5801 or Heidi Bunch 775-312-0358

Al Ferrell's Celebration of Life will be held at the Hawthorne Junior High School Gymnasium Thursday

Al Ferrell's Celebration of Life will be held at the Hawthorne Junior High School Gymnasium Thursday

Al Ferrell's Celebration of Life will be held at the Hawthorne Junior High School Gymnasium Thursday

 

This will be a time of remembrance, reflection, and celebration of a life that gave so much to so many.

We invite you to come as you are, with love in your heart and memories to share.

Al Ferrell served the community of Hawthorne Naval Base, Babbitt, and Hawthorne, Nevada as a firefighter,

EMT, and ambulance driver from the age of 16 to 67. 

He was a man who showed up when people needed him

most. Always.

Whether you come to his Celebration of Life to listen, reflect, or simply be present, your presence matters to

Big Al and our Ferrell family. We encourage you to bring your memories, your stories, and your love.

We welcome you to dress comfortably or in a way that reflects Al's easy going, relaxed spirit and the life he

lived. 

Together, we will honor not just how Al lived, but how he left us feeling. Al wrote the story of How You

Leave Them Feeling long before those four books were ever published and shared with the world. He

wholeheartedly lived this concept in full color!

Al's service may have ended, but his IMPACT will continue through all of us!

Al Ferrell was born on October 15, 1958, in Reno, Nevada at St. Mary's Hospital.

He passed away on March 27, 2026, in Yerington, Nevada. Al lived in Hawthorne from the age of 7 through 67,

with a brief college season in Reno in 1977. 

His roots ran deep, and so did his impact.

His wife Missy and his children Jordan, James, Choco, Nicole, and Adam truly appreciate the care,

friendship, and love you shared with Al, and the many ways you touched his life!

His Celebration of Life will be held at the Hawthorne Junior High School Gymnasium, a place that honors

his state record setting and electrifying athleticism.

Date: May 14, 2026

Time: 11:00 AM

Duration: One hour

Jesse Ferrell has been asked to officiate the Al Ferrell Celebration of Life service. A host of selected speakers

will share brief two minute reflections to honor Al's life and legacy during this service.

Following the service:

One hour after the conclusion, the Ferrell family will host a casual, organic gathering at Bourbon Street,

located near the Safeway shopping center.

Appetizers will be provided for those attending as we continue to connect, share stories, and celebrate Big Al together. 

We value our exceptional lifetime relationship we have earned with you and look forward to sharing

Big Al' Celebration of Life with you! Please text your RSVP to Lisa at (702)239-5055.

In place of flowers or gifts, please consider a contribution to the Al Ferrell First Responder Impact Fund.

These contributions will directly support his wife and continue the care, love, and presence Al gave to so many.

Please contact Lisa Ferrell to make your contribution.

702-239-5055


Copyright © 2026 Armed Forces Day Celebration, Hawthorne, Nevada - All Rights Reserved.

Powered by

This website uses cookies.

We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.

Accept