The Washtenaw Vet Fest 2024 designed for veterans and their families will be hosted 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, August 3, at Washtenaw Community College (WCC).
The WCC Wadhams Veterans Center and multiple veterans’ organizations in Washtenaw County have partnered to bring benefits resources, live entertainment and kids’ activities. More than 70 veterans service providers and agencies will be set up at the event.
The third annual Vet Fest is free for veterans and military connected families and will be held near the main entrance of campus, 4800 E Huron River Dr., Ann Arbor. View a map of the WCC campus. Veterans and military connected families can make reservations here.
Included with the lineup of military trucks and vehicles expected to be on location is a Vietnam-era Huey chopper from the Michigan Flight Museum (formerly Yankee Air Museum) and the possible return of the CH-47 Chinook helicopter from the Michigan Army National Guard.
This year’s event will include a blood drive hosted by the Michigan Blood Bank.
Billy Gunther & The Midwest Riders will perform live on the plaza.
Activities are planned for all ages and include:
- Military and police dog demonstrations
- Free lunch
- Live music
- Ice cream treats from Sweet Peach
- Hourly raffles
- Military & EMS vehicles
- Kids’ activities (bounce house, face painting, dunk tank)\
- Resource provider exhibits
- War Dog Memorial
- Merchandise available from Rosie the Riveter museum staff and VVA
Sponsors of Vet Fest include American Legion Post 46 in Ann Arbor, the Washtenaw County Department of Veterans Affairs, the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 310 and the Ann Arbor Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
WCC serves approximately 500 veteran students and families. Located in the Student Center on campus, the Wadhams Veterans Center provides military-friendly programs to
serve all former and current active-duty military personnel, spouses and dependents of veterans, and students in the National Guard or Reserves.
The college is recognized by the Michigan Veterans’ Affairs Agency as a gold-level veteran-friendly school, the highest honor awarded, for its strong commitment to veterans and military-affiliated students. The college was also recently named as a National Military Friendly® School.