Patriotic music filled the streets of downtown Leavenworth Tuesday morning as people gathered to celebrate the bravery and sacrifice of U.S. veterans.

Cheers roared as a bagpiper rounded the first corner, kicking off Leavenworth’s 89th annual Veterans Day parade. As the oldest Veterans Day parade in the country and the largest west of the Mississippi River, this year’s parade exceeded all expectations.

“It’s just getting bigger and bigger every year. We’re really proud of it,” said Diane Smith, secretary and spokesperson of the parade committee, adding that this year’s parade is the largest to date with more than 200 organizations participating.

Joining the parade this year for the first time was Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, who walked the route.

“We’re very honored to have (Sebelius) here for the first time,” Smith said. “I think she’s been to Leavenworth before in other capacities but never to the Veterans Day parade. With her being here, the national guard really went all out for it.”

In addition to adding a second flyover by a black hawk, which had to be canceled due to weather, the National Guard brought several soldiers who marched along the route as well as military equipment and trucks that had children pointing in awe.

The parade also featured local bands, organizations, clubs.

Two years ago the parade added another tradition of having a swearing-in ceremony for some of the area’s newest recruits. This year, midway through the parade, action stopped and an officer and a young man entered the street. With their right hands raised, the young man vowed to uphold the responsibilities placed upon him as he serves his country

“The crowd just loves it,” Smith said. “Once they finish with the ceremony he turns to the audience and announces, ‘These are your newest recruits,’ and the crowd just goes wild. We like it. It’s kind of touching.”