What would you do, if you had only a third of the funds necessary to present a $30,000 event? If you are the Newtown Labor Day Parade Committee, you would have faith, and move forward with the plans for the 53rd annual parade, scheduled to put its best foot forward Monday, September 1, at 10 am.

Nonetheless, said Parade Committee President Beth Caldwell, it would be nice to have a little more wiggle room, this late in the game.

“Last year, we spent a total of $30,000 for the parade. This includes all the entertainment, support, and advertising,” she said. The vast majority of the expense is to pay for bands and other entertainment; but what is a parade without plenty of bands to lead the way?

In past years, most of the support came for individuals in the community, but now, Ms Caldwell said, the committee counts on corporate sponsors. This year, they are grateful to have the support of the presenting sponsor Newtown Savings Bank; platinum sponsors Ingersoll Automotive and Maplewood at Newtown; and event sponsors Caraluzzi’s; Nanavaty, Nanavaty & Davenport; and Leahy’s Fuel, to date. Still, she said, monetary support from residents would be more than welcome.

“If each person who came to the parade would donate a dollar, we’d make our goal,” said Ms Caldwell.

Most of the regular favorites will return to the parade lineup this year, said Ms Caldwell, and the committee is pleased that the giant 45- by 90-foot Nation’s Flag will make an appearance again. A possible fly-by of a vintage plane is also in the works, she said.

Of course, what is always new and interesting are the floats entered in the parade by businesses and organizations. As always, the committee encourages creative floats that reflect the parade theme, which this year is “Write On, Newtown.”

Representing the many authors and illustrators of our area who “write on,” is Parade Grand Marshal and gardening author Sydney Eddison.

The winner of the Rooster Award for best overall entry will have something to crow about, when judges (including newly appointed C.H. Booth Library Director Brenda McKinley and former Acting Director Beryl Harrison) make that decision at the reviewing stand on Queen Street.

If tiny cars driven by big guys, a giant Shriner, Portuguese dancers, marching bands, jugglers, the Second Connecticut Governor’s Horse Guard, and more are all a part of what makes the end of summer special in Newtown, the Parade Committee has faith that residents will come through not only in spirit, but with donations that will find them flush by September 1.

To donate, become a sponsor, or find out more about entering a float in this year’s parade, visit newtownctlabordayparade.org.