When the Labor Day Parade steps off at 10 am on September 1, everyone will be in place: marchers with their assigned units at the head of Main Street, judges in the reviewing stand on Queen Street, and spectators in their favorite viewing spots along the J-shaped parade route that hooks Main and Queen together with the help of Glover Avenue. Assembling this mass of people with all the apparatus of celebration — vintage cars, fire engines, trailer-hitched floats, and every other form of conveyance from skateboard to steed — is part clockwork, part chaos, and a lot of excitement. Like a huge family portrait, somehow it all comes together for the perfect picture of our town. All the jittery jockeying into position ceases and with a blast of sirens the parade begins to flow again with a certainty and continuity that suggests that there has been only the briefest pause between this parade that the 46 that have preceded it.

As with any succession of family portraits, however, evidence of change, growth, and development becomes obvious with the passing years. This year’s Labor Day Parade reflects not only the great traditions of past parades, with the Newtown High School Marching Nighthawks stirring the crowd to attention near the head of the parade, but it also reveals what is important to Newtown right now. As always, children are important. It is hard to tell whether there are more children in the parade or watching it.  The parade also highlights patriotism, politics, community service, spiritual growth, sports, hobbies, business, play, and, of course, music, music, music.

The parade has a lot to give — and not just sweets to kids. The line of march (see below) is a menu of volunteer opportunities for citizens, showcasing emergency services, church groups, service agencies, and youth sports associations. There will even be an opportunity for spectators to support one of these volunteer efforts as the parade is passing by. Donations of nonperishable food items (put them in shopping bags, please) for the FAITH Food Pantry will be collected by volunteers near the end of the line of march. This great parade serves as an open invitation for everyone to volunteer and make Newtown even more impressive, not just on Labor Day, but every day. See you there.