Annual Parade Punctuates

Perfect Holiday Weekend

By Nancy K. Crevier

By late Sunday afternoon, chairs and blankets already lined the parade route along Main Street as Newtown residents prepared for Monday morning’s 46th Annual Labor Day Parade, an end of the summer rite that brings together friends and families for a morning of festivity and camaraderie. Anyone confused by the program typo announcing it as the 47th quickly forgot this minor point of contention as the revelry began rolling down Main Street right on time at 10 am.

The weather did not disappoint paradegoers or marchers as a few fluffy white clouds punctuated the clear blue sunny sky. This year’s five divisions presented a wide variety of units from solemn to silly, incorporating bands, dancers, clubs, businesses, politicians, and numerous local and regional organizations strutting their stuff, with three-deep rows of onlookers cheering them on.

But even before the parade kicked off, from Main Street to Glover Avenue to Queen Street laughter and chatter erupted everywhere. Private parties along the main parade corridor, a longstanding tradition, offered early morning repast to friends as the sidewalks swarmed with residents greeting friends not seen all summer. A few 2007 NHS graduates made a quick return to their hometown from far-flung colleges and academies, including some who added a bit of class to the scene in their impeccably pressed military uniforms.

A parade just would not be right without balloons and souvenirs, and Newtown’s Labor Day Parade was no exception. Vendors hawked their wares, and school organizations wheeled carts of much-appreciated water and goodies for sale all along the roadside. The scene was set for another great parade.

The sharp uniforms and tight musicianship of the Newtown High School Marching Band, close on the heels of the Connecticut American Legion Color Guard, brought waves of applause as they marched down Main Street, brass instruments gleaming in the sun.

Judge William J. Lavery received a welcome round of applause, as well, as the convertible carrying this year’s Grand Marshal passed slowly along the route. President of the C.H. Booth Library trustees, Judge Lavery said he was honored to represent the parade in this 75th year of the library’s existence.

The theme of “C.H. Booth Library: Keeping Newtown Reading For 75 Years” was echoed time and again by clever floats from the various clubs and organizations in the parade.

The popular Celtic Cross Pipes & Drums and the Mattatuck Drum Band returned this year to the delight of the crowd, as did the Sons of Portugal, and the Fairfield Gaelic Pipe Band. Darting and dodging in tight patterns, the Shriners’ minicars brought cheers wherever they performed along the route, and gasps and applause followed the daring deeds of local skateboarders performing on a half-pipe atop a float. Prancing ponies, fire trucks, clowns, America’s Strongest Man, gymnasts, and even a small herd of llamas followed one after the other. In true parade tradition, children scrambled to collect candy that rained down from the floats, proudly showing off to one another the sweet treasures they collected.

At the Grandstand on Queen Street, beautifully decorated through the generosity of Newtown Savings Bank, judges Diana Baxter, Wendy Cole, Peg Jacques, Carm O’Neill, Barbara Snyder, and Joanne Zang had their work cut out for them. As each entry paused to showcase its talents and creativity, the six passed their judgments and when all was said and done, compared their notes and bestowed the awards.

First place for Best Musical Entry Senior Division this year went to the Celtic Cross and Pipes Band with the Fairfield Gaelic Pipe Band as runner-up.

Best Musical Entry Junior Division was awarded to Moodus Drum and Fife, runner-up Mattatuck Drum Band.

Best Float was awarded to the joint efforts of Mocha Coffee House/Holmes Fine Gardens. Runner-up in the Float Division was Iroquois Gas.

United Fire Company of Botsford, resplendent in new gear and actively dismantling a car with the jaws of life aboard a float, won Best Fire Company this year.

The certificate for Best Non-Musical Entry was awarded to Grace Christian Fellowship and The C.H. Booth Library received runner-up in this division.

Middle Gate Elementary School and Newtown Middle School tied for the Best School.

Last but not least, the Rooster Award went to the Most Crowd Pleasing entry in the Labor Day Parade, the Connecticut Alumni Drum and Bugle Corps.

From the first siren of the police cars to the final chug of the antique tractors, the smiles on faces made it clear that the 46th Annual Labor Day Parade had once again completed its mission: bringing Newtown together.