A long-standing tradition will return on Monday, September 4, when the 2023 Newtown Labor Day Parade steps off at 10 am from the corner of Main Street and Currituck Road.

The theme of the town’s 61st parade is “Deeply Rooted In Our Community.”

Monsignor Robert Weiss, pastor of St Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church, has accepted the invitation to serve as Grand Marshal.

Parade Participant Chair & Lineup Coordinator Melissa Kopcik told The Newtown Bee earlier this year that the reach of Weiss goes well beyond the Church Hill Road parish and parochial school he has led for nearly a quarter of a century.

“He does so much for this town, beyond leading the church,” she said. “Everyone knows him, and he’s always helped anyone, regardless of religion or belief. Monsignor is there for everybody and anything, no matter what.”

Participants will follow the traditional 1.5 mile route, heading south on Main Street to its intersection with Glover Avenue. They will then follow Glover to its intersection with Queen Street, and then travel north on Queen Street, passing the judges stand before concluding at the intersection with Church Hill Road.

Along with dozens of returning groups — from first responders and schools to local clubs and businesses — Kopcik is excited that a few newcomers will be joining this year’s line of march.

“Newtown Stage Company is new this year,” she said. “They were just founded and their inaugural production of Little Mermaid Jr at Edmond Town Hall was a huge hit. We are super excited to see what this new group has in store for the parade. Guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser!”

Kopcik said she and the parade committee are also “so happy” to welcome Friends of Newtown Seniors.

“I am certain if you spoke with anyone from this exciting group you will walk away with a beautiful history and life lesson. Our seniors are such a treasure to this community,” she said.

Bethel Fire will also be marching, joining Newtown’s five fire companies, Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Newtown Police Department, and Newtown Underwater Search And Rescue.

The Newtown 9U Hawks Babe Ruth baseball team will continue their spectacular summer with a walk in their hometown on Labor Day. The team won Regional and New England titles this season, and then three of nine games in the Cal Ripken World Series earlier this month.

“We are honored to have them join in the parade and celebrate their accomplishment,” Kopcik said.

The line of march will be printed in next week’s Newtown Bee and published online Friday, September 1.

Road Crew Help Needed

Kopcik said as of this week, she and the committee are still hoping to pick up additional road crew members.

These volunteers will help direct divisions and mark staging areas.

For details or to volunteer, contact Kopcik at participate@newtownctlabordayparade.org or 203-994-6435.

Parade Day

Local roads along and near the parade route will be closed at 9:30 am Labor Day, and will remain closed until after the parade. The closures include Main Street between Johnnie Cake Lane and Sugar Street/Route 302-South Main Street, Glover Avenue, Queen Street between Glover and Church Hill Road, and Church Hill between The Boulevard and Main Street.

Readers should note the route itself becomes very congested earlier than that. Plan to arrive early to find seating and parking.

Due to the arrival of marching units, Currituck Road is a one-way road starting at 8 am. Traffic will only be allowed to travel north after that, until the parade is completed.

Parking is available at Newtown Shopping Center on Queen Street and St Rose School on Church Hill Road. Shuttle buses will be running from the school.

Newtown Congregational and Trinity Episcopal churches request donations from those who park in their lots, accessible from 14 West Street and Church Hill Road, respectively.

(NCC will also be conducting its annual Pancakes & Parking fundraiser that morning. See the press release on page A-10 for full details.)

For additional information ahead of September 4, visit newtownctlabordayparade.org or find the parade on its social media platforms.

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Managing Editor Shannon Hicks can be reached at shannon@thebee.com.