One For The History Books

By Steve Bigham

The timing couldn’t have been more perfect.

Near the reviewing stand at Monday’s Labor Day Parade, the Connecticut Senior Alumni Drum and Bugle Corps was performing “Battle Hymn of the Republic” when all eyes suddenly turned to an overcast sky. Rumbling overhead was a vintage World War II B-17 flying at a very low altitude.

“People were waving flags – tears streaming down their faces,” noted parade organizer Lynda McDow. “It was an incredible scene. It was like a Hollywood director had set the scene.”

“People thought we had planned that,” added parade organizer Kim Stendahl. “Someone asked us how we were able to coordinate all that. We didn’t.”

No doubt Town Historian Dan Cruson, who served as this year’s grand marshal, will include that moment in the history books. Newtown’s 39th annual Labor Day Parade was “History in the Making” indeed.

“I recorded it in my journal. That was one of those moments that was well worth recording,” Mr Cruson said Tuesday. “When coincidences like that come together, it’s spectacular. The whole parade was exciting, especially from my standpoint.”

The parade kickoff was marked this year by three thunderous cannon shots at Ram Pasture, which shook dentures, teeth, and every home along Elm Drive. It also triggered more than a few car alarms. Then, more than 115 marching units made their way down Main Street, along Glover Avenue and Queen Street. And, unlike last year, there wasn’t a drop of rain. Newtown’s traditional end-of-summer bash is one of the few in the state and serves as a celebration of community spirit.

“People along the parade route were so pumped up. Maybe it’s because of all the rain we’ve had this summer. Everyone was cheering and yelling,” Mrs Stendahl said.

Noted one observer, “I think the parade makes the town feel good for another year.”

Janet Williams of Danbury attended her first-ever Labor Day Parade and was so impressed she was on the phone Tuesday morning looking to make a donation for next year’s march.

Seven or so foreign diplomats who attended the parade also seemed impressed. The bomber, the bagpipes, and the boom from Mark Boudreau’s cannon in Ram Pasture were more than they had expected from this small town parade. The men and women from places like Fiji, Pakistan, and Bangladesh spent the morning under the cover of umbrellas enjoying a small piece of Americana.

Meanwhile, the Joe Lieberman watch passed without a sighting. The senator and vice presidential candidate was absent from the parade, but he did send his sister, Ellen. Sen Lieberman left the state early Monday morning, joining Vice President Al Gore for a campaign tour through Florida.

Although it was toned down some this year, the tossing out of candy remains a major part of the parade. Children line the streets with their bags like trick-or-treaters on Halloween, seemingly oblivious to the many other treats the parade has to offer.

A last minute entry into the parade was Daisy the cow from the Paproski farm in Newtown. Ole Daisy, believed to be the first cow in the parade’s history, left her mark along the parade route, evidently saving her best for a spot in front of the wide-eyed foreign diplomats.

Veteran announcer Mary Ann Murtha introduced the marchers and entertained the crowd along Queen Street. This year, she added a new twist to her repertoire of fun, asking trivia questions for Labor Day Dollars and inviting the crowd to dance in the streets. It was all part of a game she called Newtown’s version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire. And the crowd, estimated at between 15,000 and 20,000 people, was more than game.

Rob Ryder and the staff at the Inn at Newtown added a new twist this year, setting up tables along the road in front of the restaurant. People were sitting there having brunch as the parade passed by.

Rick Mariani, also known as “Socko,” struck a little fear into parade-goers as his float advertised “Socko’s Haunted Yard,” which is scheduled to take place in October.

And people said they loved all the dogs that traversed the 1.5-mile route. Rand, a Bullmastiff owned by Pam Kochuba, grew tired of all the walking and sprawled out on the pavement along Glover Avenue. Having planned for this, Pam squirted water into his mouth. Refreshed, Rand rose to his feet and graciously finished the march along with the other canines from the Newtown Kennel Club.

Next year marks the 40th anniversary of the Labor Day Parade in Newtown. No doubt, parade organizers have something special planned.