🏪 Veterans Day Parade Wednesday, Free Meals for Those Who Served and a Last Pikeville Pizza Stop Monday

Or: Small Town Hatchet Sets a $65 Family Holiday Special, the Co-Op Adds Rodeo Gear and Two Valley Employers Are Hiring

By Thomas Seest, Dunlap.Today · Sunday, November 8, 2026

Good Sunday morning. Frost on the windshield, sunshine by lunch. It’s a good morning to sit down with the calendar and a pencil before the week gets moving. This week on Main Street works like a church bulletin: one big day in the middle (Veterans Day on Wednesday), a few suppers and specials around it, and a couple of folks asking for help.

Here’s the roundup. Sequatchie County’s Veterans Day Parade leaves the courthouse at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, and heads down Rankin Avenue to the Veterans Memorial Park for an 11 a.m. program. Many national restaurant chains are offering free meals, breakfasts and coffee to veterans that day. These are regional and national deals, so check your nearest location. Pyro Pies makes its last Pikeville stop of the season Monday, and its own schedule shows a Dunlap stop Mon., Nov. 16. Small Town Hatchet on Cherry Street announced a $65 Family Holiday Special that starts Nov. 20. Sequatchie Farmers Co-Op is now an official Smarty Rodeo dealer. Griffith Elementary and Bolt Farm Treehouse are hiring. Further ahead: the Lewis Chapel Holiday Mountain Market on Tue., Nov. 17, and a local cleaning company asking you to nominate children for Christmas.

Time note: All times in this roundup are Central unless marked otherwise.

⏱️ What this means for you in 30 seconds

• Wed., Nov. 11, Dunlap: Veterans Day Parade at 10 a.m. from the courthouse. Program at 11 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park. Expect Rankin Avenue to move slowly for a little while.
• Free for veterans Wednesday (national chains): Denny’s Grand Slam (5 a.m.–noon), Bojangles breakfast (8–11 a.m.), Golden Corral buffet (4 p.m.–close), a Starbucks tall brewed coffee and more. Bring proof of service and call ahead.
• Mon., Nov. 9, Pikeville: Pyro Pies at Family Dollar across from The Pig, 11:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m. Last Pikeville stop until February.
• Mon., Nov. 16, Dunlap: Pyro Pies at Mountain Valley Bank, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. (from the truck’s schedule page).
• Holiday family outing: Small Town Hatchet, 162 Cherry St.: $65 for an hour of axe throwing for 2 adults and 2 youth ages 8–16, plus 4 drinks. Runs Nov. 20–Dec. 26. Call (423) 313-5883.
• Jobs: Griffith Elementary special-education assistant (apply online). Bolt Farm Treehouse is hiring licensed massage therapists in Whitwell. Pikeville job fair is Thursday, 9–11 a.m.

🇺🇸 Wednesday: Save a Curb Spot for Our Veterans

The Sequatchie County Veterans Day Parade is Wednesday, Nov. 11, according to The Dunlap-Tribune. Everyone is invited.

• Parade: Starts at 10:00 a.m. at the Sequatchie County Courthouse, turns onto Rankin Avenue and heads south to the park. It should end around 10:30 a.m.
• Program: 11:00 a.m. at the Sequatchie County Veterans Memorial Park. The guest speaker is SSG Mindy King, U.S. Army (Retired), a Black Hawk helicopter mechanic who served two combat deployments to Iraq.
• Veterans can ride or walk: All Sequatchie County veterans are invited to join in. Bring your own vehicle or float, walk the route or ride. American Legion Post 190 and VFW Post 5772 are providing a decorated veterans float.
• Business note: Banks and post offices close Wednesday for the federal holiday, as Sunday’s Wallet column explained. Plan errands for Tuesday or Thursday.

What it means for you: A small-town parade works like a family reunion photo. It only takes a few minutes, but folks remember who showed up. If you run a shop on Rankin, it’s a good morning to put out a flag and a coffee pot. If you’re driving through, allow a few extra minutes between 10 and 10:30.

👉 Read more in The Dunlap-Tribune · Sequatchie County Veterans Memorial Park on Dunlap.Directory

🍳 Free Breakfasts, Burgers and Coffee: The Veterans Day Meal List

Local 3 News compiled Veterans Day deals for the Tennessee Valley, and Dunlap.Today shared a shorter list Sunday. These are national and regional chain offers, not Dunlap businesses. Most are for Wednesday, Nov. 11, at participating locations. Here are a few that are easy to remember:

• Denny’s: Free Original Grand Slam, 5 a.m.–noon.
• Bojangles: Free breakfast, 8–11 a.m.
• McDonald’s (Chattanooga restaurants): Free breakfast combo.
• Little Caesars: Free Lunch Combo, 11 a.m.–2 p.m., in-store only.
• Wendy’s: Free Dave’s Single at participating locations.
• Golden Corral: Free buffet and drink, 4 p.m.–close, dine-in only.
• Pilot Flying J: Free sandwich plus coffee or a fountain drink.
• Starbucks: Free tall hot or iced brewed coffee for veterans, service members and military spouses.
• Texas Roadhouse: Pick up a voucher in person. It’s good for a free entrée, two sides and a drink through May 31, 2027.
• Sit-down chains: Applebee’s, Chili’s, Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Red Robin and Bob Evans list free meals from special menus, mostly dine-in.

What it means for you: Think of this list like a coupon drawer. You won’t use every one, so pick the one that’s on your way. Rules change from store to store, so bring a military ID, VA card or DD-214 and call ahead. If you’d rather keep it local, take your veteran to a hometown diner after the parade.

👉 Full list at Local 3 News · Read more on Dunlap.Today · Sequatchie County Veterans Service Office on Dunlap.Directory

🍕 Last Call in Pikeville Monday, Then Pyro Pies Comes to Dunlap Nov. 16

Pyro Pies Wood Fired Brick Oven Pizza sells Neapolitan-style pizza from a truck with a real brick oven. Monday is its last Pikeville pop-up of the season before it closes for winter. It plans to come back in February.

• Mon., Nov. 9: Pikeville @ Family Dollar, across from The Pig, 11:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m. Central.
• Mon., Nov. 16: Dunlap at Mountain Valley Bank, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Central, according to the truck’s live schedule at pyropies.com this morning.
• How to order: Walk up, or pre-order at pyropies.com and pick your own pickup time. The truck holds dough for online orders, so pre-ordering is the safe bet if walk-up dough runs out.
• Stay posted: Sign up for their weekly email at pyropies.com/email so you don’t have to hunt for the next stop.

What it means for you: A last stop before winter is like the final tomato off the vine. If you’ve meant to try it, now’s the time. Bledsoe neighbors can catch it Monday. Dunlap neighbors can write “Pizza, Mon., Nov. 16, bank lot” on the calendar.

👉 Read more on Dunlap.Today · Pyro Pies on Dunlap.Directory

🪓 Holiday Update: Small Town Hatchet’s $65 Family Special

Small Town Hatchet at 162 Cherry Street in Dunlap announced a Family Holiday Special for the holidays.

• Dates: Nov. 20 through Dec. 26.
• What’s included: One hour of axe throwing for two adults and two youth ages 8–16, plus four drinks of your choice.
• Price: $65. The venue says that’s a $30 savings off regular pricing.
• Book: Call (423) 313-5883.

What it means for you: When the grandkids are home and the cousins are getting restless, an hour of friendly competition gives everybody something to do besides the TV. If your family’s holiday weekend is already filling up, book early.

👉 Read more on Dunlap.Today · Small Town Hatchet on Dunlap.Directory

🎨 Smalltown Ceramics’ Thanksgiving Sale: Call Before You Go

Smalltown Ceramics at 15875 Rankin Avenue held a Thanksgiving sale weekend:

• 20% off pumpkins and Thanksgiving pottery. 25% off fall and harvest décor.
• Buy three, get one free on dinnerware: mugs, bowls and plates.
• Turkey handprint plates for kids to make as keepsakes.
• Every purchase entered a drawing for a $50 gift certificate.
• Hours note: Saturday was 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Sunday and Monday are by appointment. Call (423) 713-8778 to ask whether sale prices still apply.

What it means for you: A handprint plate is a cheap time machine. Pull it out in twenty years and that little hand is still there. If Saturday got away from you, a quick phone call is all it takes to find out what’s still available.

👉 Read more on Dunlap.Today · Smalltown Ceramics on Dunlap.Directory

🤠 New at the Co-Op: Sequatchie Farmers Co-Op Is a Smarty Rodeo Dealer

Sequatchie Farmers Co-Op in Dunlap, which has served local farmers for more than 90 years, is now an official dealer for Smarty Rodeo products. Those include artificial roping calves, roping chutes and other rodeo training equipment.

• First shipment: A co-op representative took orders this weekend at the Middle TN Junior Rodeo Association finals in Lebanon. Those orders go into the first delivery, expected the following week.
• Ordering from home: Message the co-op’s Facebook page or call (423) 949-2161.

What it means for you: Being able to buy roping gear at the co-op is like borrowing sugar from next door instead of driving to town. You save on shipping and get to talk to someone you know. Junior ropers and arena owners can ask whether there’s still room on that first shipment.

👉 Read more on Dunlap.Today · Sequatchie Farmers Co-Op on Dunlap.Directory

💼 Now Hiring: A Classroom Helper in Dunlap and Massage Therapists in Whitwell

• Griffith Elementary (Dunlap): Hiring an Elementary Special Education Assistant to support students with special needs. Apply on the Sequatchie County School System’s hiring portal at sequatchie.mysmarthire.com/jobs. Questions go to Principal Tracey Corder at (423) 949-2105.
• Bolt Farm Treehouse (Whitwell): The adults-only retreat is adding a fourth spa treatment room and hiring Licensed Massage Therapists. Spa attendants and a concierge handle the paperwork side. To get application details, comment “LMT” on the retreat’s social media posts.
• Reminder, Thu., Nov. 12, 9–11 a.m.: Job fair at TCAT Upper Cumberland in Pikeville. Bring several printed resumes.

What it means for you: Good jobs close to home are like a well on your own land. You don’t have to haul water from somebody else’s. If you or a grown child have been wanting work in a school or a licensed trade, this is a good week to send an application.

👉 Griffith Elementary job on Dunlap.Today · Bolt Farm Treehouse job on Dunlap.Today · Griffith Elementary on Dunlap.Directory · Bolt Farm Treehouse on Dunlap.Directory

🎄 Holiday Helpers: A New Mountain Market and Two Children to Sponsor

• Lewis Chapel Community Holiday Mountain Market: Tue., Nov. 17, 3–6 p.m. at the Lewis Chapel Community Center, 4760 Henson Gap Rd., Dunlap. It’s rain or shine, with indoor and outdoor spaces. Vendor fees are waived through Dec. 31, 2026. Vendors can message the center’s Facebook page or stop by during market hours.
• Made New Cleaning Company: This Dunlap cleaning business is sponsoring one little boy and one little girl for Christmas. Families don’t have to meet any requirements. Send nominations by private message. The deadline is Dec. 1, and the owner hopes to choose by Thanksgiving.

What it means for you: A free vendor table is an open gate for the neighbor who makes wreaths or jam and has never tried selling. If you know a child who could use some extra Christmas, a short private message is all it takes.

👉 Lewis Chapel market on Dunlap.Today · Made New Christmas sponsorship on Dunlap.Today · Lewis Chapel Community Center on Dunlap.Directory · Made New Cleaning Company on Dunlap.Directory

🎁 Three Small Finds

• 🍞 Rose Cottage Bakery farmstand (Dunlap): A self-serve stand at 6003 State Route 8. Look for the white A-frame sign. It’s stocked with honey loaf bread, cinnamon rolls, chocolate and coconut pies, pumpkin roll, cookies and oatmeal creme pies, plus butter dinner rolls baked through the morning. Read more.
• 🦃 Ramsey’s BBQ (Whitwell): Hickory-smoked Thanksgiving turkeys for $55. Order early at (423) 939-0433. Ramsey’s on Dunlap.Directory.
• 🥤 Dr. Pepper Sweets Competition (Spencer): Free to enter, any dessert made with Dr Pepper or SunDrop. Drop off entries by 2 p.m. Sat., Dec. 5, at 239 College St. Judging is at 3 p.m. Register with the Van Buren-Spencer Chamber of Commerce. Read more.

📅 Dates to Write Down

• Mon., Nov. 9: Pyro Pies in Pikeville at Family Dollar, 11:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m. Central. Last Pikeville stop until February.
• Wed., Nov. 11 (Veterans Day): Parade at 10 a.m. from the courthouse, program at 11 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park. Free veteran meals at participating chains. Banks and post offices closed.
• Thu., Nov. 12: Pikeville job fair, 9–11 a.m., TCAT Upper Cumberland. Anthony & Theresa’s Homecookin’ reopens.
• Sat., Nov. 14: Second Pony Pumpkin Patch Saturday, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Wheeler’s Orchard “Spoons & Tunes,” 4:30–7:30 p.m.
• Mon., Nov. 16: Pyro Pies in Dunlap at Mountain Valley Bank, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
• Tue., Nov. 17: Lewis Chapel Holiday Mountain Market, 3–6 p.m.
• Nov. 20–Dec. 26: Small Town Hatchet $65 Family Holiday Special.
• Dec. 1: Deadline to nominate a child for Made New Cleaning’s Christmas sponsorship.
• Sat., Dec. 5: Dr. Pepper Sweets Competition entries due by 2 p.m. in Spencer.

✅ Your Main Street Checklist for the Week

• ✅ Honoring a veteran? Wednesday, 10 a.m. parade from the courthouse, then the 11 a.m. program at the park.
• ✅ Taking a veteran to eat? Pick one deal on the list, bring proof of service and call ahead.
• ✅ Running errands? Banks and post offices are closed Wednesday, so do them Tuesday or Thursday.
• ✅ Craving wood-fired pizza? Pikeville on Monday, Dunlap on Mon., Nov. 16. Pre-order at pyropies.com.
• ✅ Planning a holiday outing? Call Small Town Hatchet at (423) 313-5883 about the $65 family special (Nov. 20–Dec. 26).
• ✅ Looking for work? Apply online for the Griffith job, and bring resumes to Pikeville on Thursday at 9.
• ✅ Have a big heart or a craft table? Nominate a child by Dec. 1, or sign up free for the Lewis Chapel market on Nov. 17.

Practical rule: In a holiday week, put the one date you can’t move (Wednesday’s parade) on the calendar first, then fit the suppers and specials around it. If a deal or an hour matters to you, call before you drive.

— Dunlap.Today

📚 Plain-English Main Street Glossary

• Veterans Day: A federal holiday every Nov. 11 to thank everyone who has served in the U.S. military. Banks and post offices close.
• Proof of service: Something that shows you served, like a military ID, VA card, veteran ID on your driver’s license or a DD-214. Restaurants may ask for one before giving a veterans deal.
• Participating locations: Not every store in a chain joins a deal, especially franchises. Call your nearest one.
• Dine-in only: The deal is good only if you eat at the restaurant, not for takeout or drive-thru.
• Pop-up: A food truck or shop that sets up in one spot for a few hours, then moves on.
• Neapolitan-style pizza: A thin, soft-centered pizza baked very hot and fast in a wood-fired oven.
• Dealer: A local store that’s authorized to sell and order a company’s products.
• Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT): A massage professional licensed by the state to give therapeutic massage.
• Vendor fee: What a seller usually pays for a table at a market. Lewis Chapel is waiving it through year-end.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

When and where is the Dunlap Veterans Day parade?

Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 10 a.m. It starts at the Sequatchie County Courthouse, goes onto Rankin Avenue and heads south to the Sequatchie County Veterans Memorial Park, ending around 10:30. The program with guest speaker SSG Mindy King (U.S. Army, Retired) starts at 11 a.m. Veterans are invited to walk, ride or bring a vehicle or float.

Which restaurants give veterans free food on Veterans Day?

Local 3 News lists many national chains for Wednesday, Nov. 11. Some examples: a Denny’s Grand Slam (5 a.m.–noon), Bojangles breakfast (8–11 a.m.), a Little Caesars Lunch Combo (11 a.m.–2 p.m.), a Wendy’s Dave’s Single, a Golden Corral buffet (4 p.m.–close), a Starbucks tall brewed coffee, a Pilot Flying J sandwich, and a Texas Roadhouse voucher good through May 31, 2027. Deals are at participating locations only. Bring proof of service and call ahead.

Are banks and the post office open Wednesday?

No. Most banks, the Federal Reserve and all post offices are closed Wednesday, Nov. 11, for Veterans Day. There’s no regular mail, and online transfers wait until Thursday.

When can I get Pyro Pies?

Monday, Nov. 9, from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Central at Family Dollar in Pikeville, across from The Pig. That’s its last Pikeville stop until February. The truck’s own schedule also lists Dunlap at Mountain Valley Bank on Monday, Nov. 16, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central. You can pre-order at pyropies.com.

What is Small Town Hatchet’s holiday special?

From Nov. 20 through Dec. 26, $65 covers one hour of axe throwing for two adults and two youth ages 8–16, plus four drinks. It’s at 162 Cherry Street in Dunlap. Call (423) 313-5883.

How do I apply for the Griffith Elementary job?

Apply through the Sequatchie County School System’s portal at sequatchie.mysmarthire.com/jobs. For questions, call Principal Tracey Corder at (423) 949-2105.

Can I sell at the Lewis Chapel holiday market?

Yes. The market is Tuesday, Nov. 17, 3–6 p.m., at 4760 Henson Gap Rd. in Dunlap, and vendor fees are waived through Dec. 31, 2026. Message the Lewis Chapel Community Center on Facebook or stop by during market hours.

Does Sequatchie Farmers Co-Op sell rodeo equipment now?

Yes. It’s now an official Smarty Rodeo dealer, carrying items like artificial calves and roping chutes. Call (423) 949-2161 or message the co-op on Facebook to order.

🔗 Other Resources

• The Dunlap-Tribune: King to speak on Veterans Day (parade details)
• Dunlap.Directory: Sequatchie County Veterans Memorial Park
• Dunlap.Directory: Sequatchie County Veterans Service Office
• Local 3 News: Veterans Day events and deals around the TN Valley
• Dunlap.Today: Veterans Day restaurant deals
• Dunlap.Today: Pyro Pies final Pikeville pop-up
• Pyro Pies: live schedule and online ordering
• Dunlap.Directory: Pyro Pies
• Dunlap.Today: Small Town Hatchet holiday family package
• Dunlap.Directory: Small Town Hatchet
• Dunlap.Today: Smalltown Ceramics Thanksgiving sale
• Dunlap.Directory: Smalltown Ceramics
• Dunlap.Today: Co-Op becomes Smarty Rodeo dealer
• Dunlap.Directory: Sequatchie Farmers Co-Op
• Dunlap.Today: Griffith Elementary hiring
• Sequatchie County Schools job portal
• Dunlap.Today: Bolt Farm Treehouse hiring
• Dunlap.Today: Pikeville job fair Nov. 12
• Dunlap.Today: Lewis Chapel Holiday Mountain Market
• Dunlap.Today: Made New Cleaning Christmas sponsorship
• Dunlap.Today: Rose Cottage Bakery farmstand
• Dunlap.Today: Ramsey’s BBQ smoked turkeys
• Dunlap.Today: Dr. Pepper Sweets Competition
• Dunlap.Today: New Businesses
• Dunlap.Directory
• Dunlap.Today

🌿 Keep Learning, Stay Calm

This week’s Main Street news is mostly about gratitude: a parade for the folks who served, shops and chains saying thank you with a plate or a cup of coffee, and neighbors making room at the table for a child or a new vendor. Write down Wednesday at 10, pick one thank-you to give, and save the rest for another cup of coffee on the porch.

👉 Read more calm, practical Valley news anytime at Dunlap.Today.