South Haven is gearing up for its Salute to Veterans boat parade.

On the weekend of August 16, a dinner, fishing event, parade will pay tribute to and celebrate disabled veterans from around the county. Event organizer Bruce Thatcher says the event has grown over the years, attracting people from all over.

“We have grown to the point we are now taking about 75 veterans, 65 from Operation Injured Soldier, 10 from the VA clinic,” Thatcher said. “We’ll take them out fishing early in the morning. They’re coming from around the state. As a matter of fact, there’s one coming from Florida and one coming from, I think, Connecticut.”

At 12 p.m. on Saturday, August 17, veterans will enjoy both a fishing experience and the boat parade along the Black River in South Haven. During the parade, the South Haven High School Band will perform, in addition to the American Legion Honor Guard’s 21-gun salute presentation and a special flyover.

“Everybody in town looks forward to the flyover because at the end of it, they do a missing man formation. Very symbolic.”

For more information on the event, check out the South Haven’s Salute to Veterans Facebook page.