The 59th Annual Newtown Labor Day Parade is scheduled for Monday, September 2, and this year’s parade committee is hoping to repeat the success of “what many consider the best parade in the state,” according to Parade Line of March Coordinator Melissa Kopcik.

The parade will step off at 10 am that morning from Main Street, at its intersection with Currituck Road. Participants will follow the parade’s longstanding route, heading south on Main Street before turning left onto Glover Avenue. The parade continues northeast on Glover to its intersection with Queen Street, and then follows Queen to its intersection with Church Hill Road.

The theme of this year’s parade is “Volunteers Keeping Our Community Strong.” Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Chief [naviga:u]Bill Halstead has been named grand marshal of the 2019 parade[/naviga:u].

While donations and participant applications “are starting to come in,” Ms Kopcik said last week, there is still room for more of both.

Newtown Savings Bank has signed on to be the event’s Title Sponsor.

“It takes approximately $30,000 to put on this timeless tradition that friends and neighbors have come to love,” Ms Kopcik said. Many set their chairs up for viewing along the route the night before the parade, she mentioned.

Additional sponsors also include Teamsters Local 1150 (Platinum); BD Provisions, Caraluzzi’s, Dental Associates of Connecticut, Leahy’s Fuel, and Newtown Veterinary Specialists (Event Sponsors); Newtown Family Dentistry/Drs Condon, Golisano and Feldsteni (Flagpole Sponsor); Baum Braces, Church Hill Village, Honan Funeral Home, The Laurel Rock Company, Newtown Pools, Attorney Anne Ragusa, and St Rose Church (Parade Route Sponsors); and Basil Rose Boutique, Church Hill Physical Therapy, Curtis Packaging, Fairfield Auction, Main Street Adventures, Newtown Woman’s Club, Norcom CT, Red Rooster Pub, and Union Savings Bank (Sunshine Sponsors).

“We are very appreciative of the support thus far and are hopeful we will meet our goal,” Mrs Kopcik said. “We thank those in advance for giving us the opportunity to put on this timeless tradition.”

To learn about the different levels of sponsorship opportunities or to become a sponsor, visit [naviga:u]newtownctlabordayparade.org[/naviga:u] or send e-mail to [naviga:u]sponsor@newtownctlabordayparade.org[/naviga:u].

Participation Details

Those planning to participate in the parade need to register. Applications are due by August 10.

“We understand it is summer and we are not wanting to wish it away, but Labor Day will be here before we know it,” Mrs Kopcik said. “If you have not done so already, please send in your participation application ASAP.”

Applications are available online at [naviga:u]newtownctlabordayparade.org[/naviga:u].

There is a $200 donation requested of commercial entries. There is no participation fee for schools, including dance schools and karate studios. Other groups submitting applications can request a waiver for the participation fee.

Applicants will also be asked to provide information about their group for the emcees and select the categories they would like to be judged in. Honors will be announced for Best Float, Best Musical Entry (Junior and Senior), Most Patriotic, Best School, Best Fire Company, Best New Entry, Most Fitting Parade Theme, Most Colorful Entry, Most Crowd Pleasing (“The Rooster Award”), and Best Non-Musical.

The committee is working hard, Mrs Kopcik said, to put on another memorable event.

“We are in the process of hiring entertainment,” she said. “Fingers crossed for great weather and mild temperatures the day of.”