Tropical Storm Irene: A Thorn In The Side Of The Labor Day Parade

By Nancy K. Crevier

The Newtown Labor Day Parade Committee worked diligently to keep the 50th Anniversary Parade on course when Tropical Storm Irene toppled trees and darkened the town just a week before the scheduled September 5 parade date. As committee members and town officials assessed the cleanup, and with power returned to the center of town, committee president Beth Caldwell was certain that the parade could still wend its way down the familiar course, as of August 31. At that point, the committee had not had any cancellations by entertainers or performers coming from other towns around the region that were similarly affected by the storm. It would take more than a hurricane to blow the parade off course, she thought.

But it was the huff and puff of the Newtown Emergency Management team that ultimately caused the postponement of the annual end of summer parade. After conferring with the Emergency Management team, Newtown Police Department Chief Michael Kehoe, and town officials, Labor Day Parade Committee members agreed September 2, due to remaining safety concerns, to reschedule the parade to Sunday, October 9, at 2 pm. With the parade postponed to the Columbus Day weekend, however, entries into the 50th Anniversary Parade dwindled due to prior commitments.

One party who did not consider pulling out of the event, though, was parade Grand Marshal Lee Glover. The 50th anniversary of the Newtown Labor Day Parade was also the 50th anniversary of participation for Mr Glover — minus one year, when he watched the parade from the porch of his newly acquired Main Street home. Mr Glover, a direct descendent of one of Newtown’s original 11 founding families, grew up and lived most of his adult life in Newtown. He was a realtor in town, served as senior Borough Burgess, and was the owner/operator of Bus #21 for 25 years. From 1955 to 1972, Mr Glover served as chief of the Newtown Hook & Ladder Fire Company, and it was during his tenure as chief that the Newtown Labor Day Parade, then known as the Progress Days Festival, took shape. He served as the grand marshal the first two years, 1962 and 1963, and again in 1971.

The Rotary Club of Newtown, recipient of the 2011 Legends and Pioneers Award, was also evident on parade day, with not only marchers, but Rotary members set up at the edge of the Pleasance, selling hot-off-the-grill hot dogs and hamburgers. The Rotary Club received the Legends and Pioneers honor, said committee president Beth Caldwell, “for the pivotal role they played in organizing the first parade 50 years ago.”

Several former grand marshals also joined Mr Glover on the parade route when the sunny October afternoon finally arrived, and it was a parade to remember, no doubt.

The committee was also pleased that two new additions to the parade, flyovers by vintage planes and the coach and driver from Wells Fargo, were able to stay in the lineup.

But the 50th Anniversary Newtown Labor Day Parade was one of contradictions, depending on where one sat or with whom one spoke. Some celebrated the efforts of the Labor Day Parade Committee in rescheduling the thwarted September event, others groused a bit about changes and missing musicians, as well as an audience much smaller than the previous 49 parades.

Committee members have rallied, though, and are looking forward already to a parade in 2012 that will — hopefully — step off on Labor Day.