Life in Newtown, CT

Newtown, CT Labor Day Parade - 2009 was really fun and shows you what Life in Newtown is all about!  As in past years, the town resident participation was phenomenal!  The variety of parade marchers spread the gamut of politicians, including Governor Jodi Rell, to school bands, Miss Connecticut and the Shriner's in their little red cars.  Many spectators brought along their dogs (Riley, the Real Estate Dog, was in attendance until the Civil War re-enactment people shot off their rifles and then he had to hide in the car.) 

The theme of the 2009 Newtown, CT Labor Day Parade was "Passion for Newtown" and the Grand Marshall was Julia Wasserman, CT State Representative from 1991 to 2007.  By the way, this was the 48th annual Labor Day Parade.  Awards and trophies were given out for different categories like:

• Best Musical Entry - Senior
• Best Musical Entry - Junior
• Best Float
• Best Fire Company
• Best Non-Musical Entry
• Best School
• Best Crowd Pleasing Rooster Award
• Legends & Pioneers - this is a new award that will be given out annually to individuals or groups who have been longtime participants/marchers who have helped to make the parade a special tradition.  This year's winner:  Lathrop School of Dance

We hope that you've enjoyed looking at these photos.  Perhaps, next year, we'll see you at the 2010 Newtown Labor Day Parade.

Bob & Richelle Ward, Realtors, ABR
Prudential Connecticut Realty
www.connecticuthomesforsale.com
Cell - (203) 470-9818

Get ready for Newtown, CT's 2009 Labor Day Parade!  It will be held Monday, September 7th and starts at 10:00 am.  Line up anywhere along Main Street (Route 25) between Currituck Road and Glover Avenue/Sugar Street (Rt. 302).  You can also set up on Glover Avenue and Queen Street up to Church Hill Road.

Newtown's 2009 Labor Day Parade promises to have the following:

Fire Engines
Girl Scouts/Boy Scouts
Marching Bands
Floats
Friends and Neighbors - both in the parade and watching it
Local Special interest groups (like Canine Advocates in the photo)
Bob & Richelle Ward

Last year's Parade was great and Newtown's 2009 Labor Day Parade should be as well!  We hope to see you there!

Bob & Richelle Ward, Realtors, ABR
Prudential Connecticut Realty
www.connecticuthomesforsale.com
Cell - (203) 470-9818 

Newtown, like many other small towns in America, holds a Labor Day Parade every year and town residents turn out in droves.  Newtown's parade is a big event and many of the town's residents are a part of it.   I have been both a spectator and a participant in Newtown' Labor Day Parade.

As a spectator, I lined up on Main Street (one of the streets along the parade route) with the thousands of other town residents.  The excitement of waiting for the parade to begin is almost intoxicating.  Everyone is meandering toward their parade positions while happily greeting friends and neighbors along the way.  As you hear the parade coming down Main Street, the excitement continues to build.  All of a sudden, the first group is before you and it's followed by the next group and then the next.  An assortment of local firemen, firetrucks, floats, dogs, horses, the high school band, Scout troops, Shriners in their funny cars, Knights of Columbus and others that I've forgotten to mention pass in front of you for a glorious 2+ hours.

While watching the parade, the majority of my time is spent searching for people I know.  I watch the parade and wave and cheer for those who are walking in the parade and talk to friends who pass by where I'm seated.  I see people that I haven't seen in months and we exchange snippets our lives and what has happened since we last saw one another.

As a parade participant, I have marched twice in the parade - both times with my dog, Riley.  We marched in support of Canine Advocates, a local non-profit that is raising money for the town's new dog pound.  Riley and I arrived to the line-up location and waited for the parade to begin.  Once we begin walking down Main Street, people I know yell out my name and wave to me and I wave back.  Riley walks along the roadside on his leash while people of all ages pet him.  Some people offer him water and treats.  Some people take Riley's photo.  Just about everyone tells me how cute Riley his and ask what breed dog he is.  The first time we marched in the parade, Riley didn't make it to the finish line - this year, he completed the entire parade route!

Whether I have been a parade spectator or a parade participant, I am always tired when the parade is over.  This year, Riley and I went home and took a long nap when we were done. 

The next day at the office, the parade is the BIG topic of conversation.  We all talk about who we saw at the parade.  Some talk of parades in the past and some are already planning for the next parade.  Newtown's Labor Day Parade is an event that brings the town together for a few hours of enjoyment.  I'm already looking forward to next year's parade.