Marching Toward The Finish Line

By Nancy K. Crevier

The Labor Day Parade committee met Thursday evening, August 3, to nail down the details that will pull together the 2006 45th Annual Labor Day Parade on Monday, September 4. At least 60 participants have signed up to be a part of the parade, said committee member Ann Marie DeWeese, and all of the popular bands will be back to rock the town with marches, banjo picking, the pounding of drums, and piccolo piping. Many businesses and organizations have registered and are readying their floats, she said, in hopes of winning the coveted Rooster Award. The theme of “Newtown For Wide, Open Spaces” has been embraced by all of this year’s participants.

Participants are important, of course, but the behind the scene work is vital to the success of the event. Committee members continue to seek sponsors for this year’s parade, are selling advertising for the 2006 program, designating distribution points for the programs, working out the parade line-up, securing police and emergency support, as well as insurance, and assigning street directors, judges, and MCs for the big day.

Parade Chairperson Kym Stendahl said that she is pleased to announce that this year’s MCs will be John Klopfenstein, Nancy Koch, Mike Giarratano, and Jeff Tolson. Parade viewers can be assured, she said, that the MCs will provide a level of enthusiasm equal to or greater than that of the excellent MCs of the past.

Committee members continued to express concern over the financial straits of the organization. No new donations had been received in two weeks, according to member Brian Amey. If substantial donations are not submitted in the near future, the scope of the parade may need to be cut way back, suggested committee members.

Donations can be mailed to The Newtown Labor Day Parade, c/o Newtown Savings Bank, PO Box 497, Newtown CT 06470. Sponsorship coupons can be found in The Newtown Bee.