Newtown's 55th Labor Day Parade will step off at 10 am Monday, September 5.

In following with the traditional gift for a 55th anniversary, residents and organizations planning to participate in this year's parade will be challenged to create a moving celebration of all things emerald thanks to the theme "There's No Place Like Home."

In addition, this year's event will be led by Grand Marshal Dr Robert Grossman.

"I'm looking forward to this," Dr Grossman said this week. "When Beth [Caldwell, president of the parade committee] asked me if I would like to do this, I said 'Yes, absolutely.' It's going to be fun."

Dr Grossman - known by generations of friends and neighbors as "Dr Bob" - has been very well known as a physician in Newtown, as well as throughout the region because of his tireless service at Danbury Hospital. He has, at various times, been the chief of the Department of Surgery and the president of the medical staff of the hospital. He started the hospital's surgical residency program, and has been the state medical examiner, among other career highlights.

Dr Grossman has also been on the Danbury Hospital Board of Trustees.

Closer to home, he was the primary surgeon at Fairfield Hills State Hospital, he was instrumental in constructing the first medical office building in town, and has long been associated with Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps. He is also currently chairman of the board of the Newtown Health District.

He enjoys working with local agencies and organizations that serve the community, including Newtown VNA, Masonicare, and Maplewood.

In addition, he has been a member of Rotary Club of Newtown for more than 50 years, and a member of Newtown Men's Club for more than 40 years.

Beth Caldwell said she and the parade committee "are really excited about honoring Dr Bob as grand marshal."

"He had a long service as a surgeon locally, and he's been a coroner, and has had a long relationship with the ambulance corps," the president of the parade committee continued. "He has also been to every parade."

Newtown's Labor Day Parade follows a route that begins from the corner of Main Street at Currituck Road. Participants travel south along Main Street, then turn right and travel east across Glover Avenue; then bear left onto Queen Street, where they pass the middle school and then the judges' stand before reaching the end of the parade route.

In addition to Ms Caldwell, the parade committee currently includes Robin Buchanan, vice president; Brian Amey, treasurer; Dan Cruson, secretary; and members Andy Cluff, Tom D'Agasotino, Manny Fernandes, Andrew Gallagher, Melanie Mattegat, Stacey Olszewski, Brett Radachowsky and Ellie Whalen.

Newtown Savings Bank has signed on again to be the Presenting Sponsor.

For those interested in participating in the 55th Newtown Labor Day Parade, a letter of invitation and application can be found at newtownctlabordayparade.org, or on Facebook at Newtown Labor Day Parade.