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Labor Day Parade Theme And Grand Marshal Announced

The Newtown Labor Day Parade committee is pleased to announce the theme and grand marshal for the 2011 parade, which will step off at 10 am on Monday, September 5.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the event that has signaled summer’s end to Newtown residents, friends and families for multiple generations. “Celebrating the Golden Anniversary of Newtown’s Parade” is the theme for 2011, and one which committee members hope will be inspiring to the individuals, clubs and organizations that build floats to enter in the parade.

As appropriate as the theme, this year’s selection of former resident is Lee Glover as grand marshal. Mr Glover served as the first Labor Day Parade grand marshal, in 1962.

“Lee was planning to come back to Newtown from North Carolina, where he now lives, to march in the 50th anniversary parade, and he is very honored that we have asked him to serve as the grand marshal,” said Labor Day Parade Committee president Beth Caldwell. “We are happy to have him accept,” she said.

This year will actually mark the fifth time Mr Glover has been tapped to hold the grand marshal honors on his own, having also led the line of march in September 1963. He was also a co-marshal in 1967, along with Herb Lewis and James Cavanaugh, and once again soloed as grand marshal in 1971.

Newtown Savings Bank has signed on as a platinum sponsor, said Ms Caldwell, and the committee is pleased to have already begun receiving other donations to support the parade. Sponsorships at all levels are available, for businesses and individuals.

For the first time last year, the committee offered individuals and businesses the opportunity to sponsor individual entries, such as the Shriners little cars, clowns and bands.

“By sponsoring these entries, it helps us to keep down the cost of presenting the parade,” Ms Caldwell said.

For details on sponsorship, or to donate to the 50th Anniversary Labor Day Parade, visit NewtownCTLaborDayParade.org.