An estimated 4,000 people lined the streets of Newtown to view the town’s first-ever Labor Day parade back on September 3, 1962.

The Rotary Club of Newtown is credited with coming up with the idea of presenting a Labor Day parade in Newtown.

Parade VIPs in September 1962 – the first year of Newtown’s Labor Day parade – included First Selectman Charles W. Terrell, Jr, “Newtown’s Mr Citizen” Bertram Stroock, who had donated the land for Dickinson Park the year before, and “Miss Newtown,” Antonia Woyerstrass.

Newtown Labor Day parade marshal Lee Davidson roller skated the parade route dressed in a gorilla suit in 1979.

Because most towns schedule their annual parades for Memorial Day weekend, Newtown’s Labor Day Parade has grown to be the largest in the state.

As of 2002, only four women have been named parade marshal of the Newtown Labor Day Parade. Sarah Mannix was the first, in 1998. Also enjoying the honor have been Marvi Fast, 1989; Shirley Ferris, 1995; and Ginny Lathrop, 1997. All other women who have ridden in the lead car have shared the honor with their husbands.

Lee Glover was the grand marshal for Newtown’s first Labor Day Parade, in September 1962.

Lee Glover was the grand marshal for the first two Newtown Labor Day Parades. He led the line of march in September 1962 and 1963. He was also a co-marshal in 1967 (along with Herb Lewis and James Cavanaugh), and returned to lead the parade in 1971.

Lee Glover has been the grand marshal for four Newtown Labor Day Parades. He led the parade in 1962, 1963 and 1971, and shared the honor with Herb Lewis and James Cavanaugh in 1967.

An estimated 4,000 people lined the streets of Newtown to view the town’s first-ever Labor Day parade back on September 3, 1962. A total of 41 units marched in that first parade; by 2002, that number had increased to at least 107.

Parade VIPs in September 1962 – the first year of Newtown’s Labor Day parade – included First Selectman Charles W. Terrell, Jr, “Newtown’s Mr Citizen” Bertram Stroock, who had donated the land for Dickinson Park the year before, and “Miss Newtown,” Antonia Woyerstrass.

Newtown Labor Day parade marshal Lee Davidson roller skated the parade route dressed in a gorilla suit in 1979.

Because most towns schedule their annual parades for Memorial Day weekend, Newtown’s Labor Day Parade has grown to be the largest in the state.

In 1998 Sarah Mannix became the first female to lead Newtown’s Labor Day Parade on her own. Prior to that women had only shared the honor with their husbands.