Military cadences and drum beats echoed through City Park Saturday morning as hundreds of uniformed personnel marched in celebration of Veteran’s Day.

Part of Denver’s Veterans Day Festival, the parade included veterans’ organizations, local high school students and ROTC cadets, many of whom were dressed in full uniform.

One of those students was Carlos Ramirez Sanchez, a junior at George Washington High School, who was wearing a navy blue coat with golden buttons.

“It was very nice to represent veterans in the parade,” Ramirez Sanchez said. “It was great to march and be united.”

Beginning on the west side of the park before looping onto 17th Avenue and finishing by a main stage on the back lawn of the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the parade was one of the Colorado Veterans Project festival’s several events, which also included live music, a beer garden and a few dozen vendors.

Earlier Saturday morning, attendees partook in 5K and 10K run/walks and a 10K rucksack challenge in honor of Capt. Russel Rippetoe, originally from Arvada, who died in combat in 2003, according to the festival’s website.

“It’s important for parents to bring their children out to these parades,” said Karen Ivy. “It gives them more awareness and knowing so they can see those who have served and thank those who have served.”

Ivy was at the festival with Adam Dempsey, who was wearing a U.S. Army hat and shirt and identified himself as a veteran.

“You need something to spread civic engagement,” Dempsey said. “You need events like this to keep reminding and refreshing over and over again that freedom ain’t free.”

Denver will celebrate Veterans Day on Tuesday, with many city services closed for the day in observance of the federal holiday.