A Veterans Day tradition that has taken place over the past 20 years in Santa Maria will look a little different in 2020 due to the pandemic.
Attorney Michael Clayton has been hosting the Veteran's Day BBQ for the past 20 years, and in the past 10 years the event took place at the Veterans Memorial Building in Santa Maria.
Due to county health regulations and COVID-19 restrictions the Santa Maria Elks Lodge has offered to have the event in their parking lot.
An honorary Veterans Day ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11 as Marines raise a flag. The event also includes a performance from a solo drummer form Pioneer Valley High School, plus Mayor Alice Patino will be speaking.
"We're going to have to do what we gotta do with COVID-19 and get past it and so it should work out to be a really great event anyway," said Attorney Michael Clayton. "No matter where we do it, it's for the veterans and a lot of it was put on by the veterans that come over and they want to volunteer so it's going to be a great event."
The Elks Lodge will be serving Tri-Tip and Lays donated 1,500 bags of chips for the event. Meals are free for all veterans and volunteers.
