Parade Will Go On,

But More Funds Needed

By Steve Bigham

Organizers this week said the Labor Day Parade will take place this year thanks to the support of local businesses and residents. But they still have a lot of fundraising to go before they can put on the kind of show people have become accustomed to.

The parade committee has raised $8,200 in recent weeks, bringing its total to $15,000. “It’s enough to say `yes, we’re going to be able to do the job,’ but we need to continue. We need to raise another $10,000 to be able to say we’re all set as such,” announced parade committee treasurer Brian Amey this week.

The town’s annual parade is just two months away.

“I think we’ll make it, but we’re counting on the people of Newtown to come through over the next 60 days,” said parade organizer Kim Stendahl.

The committee got a big lift this week when the Newtown Lions Club and Newtown Fish & Game Club each donated $500.

This year, the parade committee chose not to send out its annual fundraising mailer due to a shortage of funds. Instead, the committee has called on The Bee to help get the word out that it needs the support of residents and businesses in order to make the 41st annual Labor Day Parade a reality.

Last year’s parade cost just over $24,000 to put on. Those popular bands that march each year come with a price tag, and that price continues to rise.

The parade committee has been printing a parade coupon in The Bee asking for donations. The coupon appears this week on page A-8.

Parade co-organizer Lisa Franze said Newtown’s Labor Day parades have gotten better and better each year with last year’s event bringing to town the world’s largest American flag.

“We don’t want to have to compromise the parade because we don’t have enough money. We’re asking people to step forward. Don’t wait for letter because it’s not coming,” she said.

Mrs Stendahl said she’s confident the people of Newtown will be there to lend a hand. “I know everybody loves the parade,” she said. “We’re determined to make it happen again and again.”

To make a contribution, send a check made out to “Newtown Labor Day Parade” to Fleet Bank, c/o Brian Amey, 6 Queen Street, Newtown, CT 06470.