The Legends and Pioneers Award has been given out to a select longtime parade participant each year since 2008, when the honor was shared by the Rockin’ Roosters Square Dance Club, and the late Olga Paproski. In 2009, the award went to Miss Lathrop’s School of Dance, and last year, the Mattatuck Drum Corps received the Legends and Pioneers Award.

The Newtown Rotary Club was established in 1939 to benefit the local, regional, and world communities. Among the organizations helped by generous monetary donations from the Newtown Rotary Club are Newtown Youth & Family Services, The Dorothy Day Hospitality House, Newtown Scholarship Fund, Kevin’s Community Center, The Meeting House, Newtown Ambulance Corps, Danbury Hospital, Cyrenius H. Booth Library, FISH, Meals on Wheels, Ability Beyond Disability Community Home, The Newtown Fund, Newtown’s volunteer fire companies, Newtown VNA, and Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut.

As Labor Day looms, the members of the Newtown Labor Day Parade Committee continue to work to see that the 50th parade celebration on Monday, September 5,  is as wonderful as the 49 other parades that have preceded it. In addition to popular bands, dancers, fire trucks, tractors, school and Scout groups, floats, and other entries from local clubs and organizations, the 50th Anniversary Parade “Celebrating the Golden Anniversary of Newtown’s Parade” will welcome the Wells Fargo horse-drawn coach, and three of the official Nations Flags, each measuring 45 feet by 90 feet.

Governor Dannel Malloy, Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman, and Senator Richard Blumenthal will join other politicians in the Newtown Labor Day Parade this year.

A flyover by vintage bomber planes is scheduled for approximately 11 am, as well.

A special Labor Day Fair, which the committee hopes to make an annual event, will take place in front of Newtown Middle School on Queen Street, from 9 am to 3 pm. At least 16 vendors are expected to take part in the fair, along with water and sports memorabilia from Newtown sports teams, food, and entertainment. Fiftieth Anniversary baseball caps will be available for purchase from staff of Newtown Savings Bank, this year’s platinum parade sponsor.

Previous Parade Grand Marshals to include Mae Schmidle (2008; “VNA: Keeping Newtown Healthy”), Judge Bill Lavery (2007; “C.H. Booth Library: Keeping Us Reading For 75 Years”), Pat Barkman (2006; “Newtown For Wide Open Spaces”), David Merrill (1999; “A Picture Perfect Town”), Marge Rogers (2010; “On Stage In Newtown”), Dr Tom Draper (1977; “Take Stock In Newtown”), Joan Crick (1996; “Newtown: The Place To Be On Labor Day”), Shirley Ferris (1995; “Newtown: Tradition Starts Here”), and Gordon Williams (2004; “Newtown: Fun For All”) will join this year’s Grand Marshal, Lee Glover, who also served as Grand Marshal of the first Labor Day Parade, as well as in 1963 and 1971.

Paradegoers are reminded that due to the unfurling ceremonies of the Nations Flags at the Flagpole (9:30 am) and in front of the Queen Street grandstand (9:50 am), roads will be closing early. At 9:15 am Main Street, Queen Street, Glover Avenue, and Church Hill Road will be closed to traffic. All are welcome to attend and photograph the unfurling of the flags.

“We are looking forward to one of the best parade’s ever,” said Ms Caldwell.

To help defray the cost of the parade, donations continue to be accepted. Mail checks to Newtown Labor Day Parade, Inc, PO Box 746, Newtown CT 06470 or c/o Newtown Savings Bank, PO Box 497, Newtown CT 06470.