Date: Fri 03-Sep-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

Labor-Day-Parade

Full Text:

Town Plans Its Annual End-Of-Summer Bash

BY STEVE BIGHAM

Organizers are hoping for "picture perfect" conditions for Newtown's 38th

annual Labor Day parade Monday morning.

The march kicks off at 10 am with more than 100 marching units expected to

participate. A tradition in Newtown since 1962, the parade will this year have

the theme "Newtown, A Picture Perfect Town," so it made perfect sense that

local artist David Merrill was chosen as grand marshal. Mr Merrill has been

painting the murals at Edmond Town Hall since 1984. Next week, he will put

down his brush and join his wife, Beryl, at the head of the parade route.

"We felt he was a great choice. The work he has done on the Edmond Town Hall

murals will forever capture the history of Newtown," noted Kim Stendahl,

parade co-chair now in her eighth year of making sure everyone has a joyous

Labor Day morning.

The parade will follow its usual route from the top of Main Street near the

ambulance garage, down Main Street past the flagpole to Glover Avenue, up

Glover, left onto Queen Street, ending at Church Hill Road.

Newtown seems to have cornered the market on Labor Day parades. It has become

the place to be for musicians, clowns, politicians, cheerleaders, horsemen and

oversized men in undersized cars. And the people of Newtown are the

beneficiaries.

The people of Newtown are also the ones who foot the bill for this event. This

year's parade cost is nearing the $20,000 mark; nearly $14,000 of that goes to

pay the bands alone.

Organizers say parade-goers can expect more handouts than ever before, too.

Candy, balloons, even toothbrushes will be handed out along the route.

Spectators can also expect an improvement to the overall flow of the march. A

few tweaks here and there should make all the difference, organizers say.

The parade is once again being sponsored by the Newtown Summer Festival, which

includes committee members Kim Stendahl, Lisa Franze, Lynda McDow, Dale Meier

and Cathy Hydeck.

This year's judges are Jim Setz, Cathy Masi, Ann Marie Deweese, and Roseanne

Loring, and Bill and Barb Webb.

The judge's reviewing stand is located next to My Place Restaurant near the

Big Y parking lot. There will also be a reviewing stand at the flagpole. This

year's MC's are Hank Gellert, Mary Ann Murtha, Mike Giaratano, and Chris

Spiro, a last-minute replacement who promises to entertain the crowd and tease

the politicians.

Prior to the parade, local skate boarders will perform their stunts along the

parade route. These talented skaters won last year's Rooster Award for being

the parade's best crowd pleasers.

Also, the newly renovated Meeting House will be open to the public between

8:30-10 am. Visitors are invited to enjoy the patriotic music of organist

Lenny Manz.

And lastly, organizers say it is not too late to make parade donations. They

can be sent to: Newtown Summer Festival, Fleet Bank, 6 Queen Street, Newtown,

CT 06470.

Parade Themes and Marshals Over the Years

1998 Newtown Celebrates The Flagpole (David Lydem)

'97 Newtown: Our Town (Ginny Lathrop)

'96 Newtown: The Place to Be on Labor Day (Jim and Joan Crick)

'95 Newtown: Tradition Starts Here (Shirley Ferris)

'94 Newtown: These Are A Few of Our Favorite Things (Robert and Caroline

Stokes)

'93 Newtown: Young & Old Growing Together (Jim and Betty Lou Osborne)

'92 Let's Have A Parade (Stu and Jean Smith)

'91 Newtown: An All-American Town (Men & Women of Desert Storm)

'90 Tradition in Newtown (Merlin Fisk)

'89 Newtown: Fun For All Ages (Marvi Fast)

'88 Newtown: The Place to Be (Sarah Mannix)

'87 25th Anniversary of Community Service (Joseph Chase)

'86 Once Upon A Tradition (Sam and Arlene Eisenbach)

'85 Newtown: A Town for all Seasons (Harry and Ann Carey)

'84 Newtown... Naturally (Art and Mary Scherer)

'83 No Theme (Gil and Ruth Collins)

'82 No Theme (Stan and Evelyn Very)

'81 Newtown: It's the Good Life (Tom and Lilly Goosman)

'80 Newtown: Getting Into Shape for the 80's (Bill and Jean Honan)

'79 All Roads Lead to Newtown (Lee Davenson)

'78 Reach for the Stars (Neil and Irene Walker)

'77 Take Stock in Newtown (Dr Tom Draper)

'76 Remember When... (Mr and Mrs Edwin Storrs)

'75 No Theme (Herbert Cutler)

'74 No Theme (Mr and Mrs Richard Hibbard)

'73 Salute to Town Service Organizations (Mr and Mrs Paul Smith)

'72 No Theme (Arthur Bennett, Sr)

'71 Dedicated to the Firemen of Newtown (Chief Glover)

'70 No Theme (Al Nichols)

'69 No Theme (Col Gilbert Teal)

'68 No Theme (Col Gilbert Teal)

'67 No Theme (Lee Glover, Herb Lewis and James Cavanaugh)

'66 No Theme (Clifford Maddox)

'65 No Theme (Clifford Maddox)

'64 No Theme (Robert Reiner)

'63 Walk Together, Talk Together (Lee Glover)

'62 No Theme (Lee Glover)