Danbury Hospital Chief of Surgery to be Grand Marshal of Newtown Labor Day Parade 2016

NEWTOWN, CT — The Newtown Labor Day committee is gearing up for another amazing parade on Monday, Sept. 5, 2016. Since it begun in 1962, it has grown to be the largest Labor Day parade in the state.

The Newtown Labor Day Parade will celebrate the 55th emerald anniversary this year with the theme, "There's no place like home." The parade is completely self-funded and organized by a team of volunteers. Hundreds will be entertained by music and bands, creative and patriotic floats will be judged, candy will be thrown to scrambling children and politicians will shake hands of spectators along their campaign trail on this last official weekend of summer.

Some of those politicians include Gov. Dannel Malloy, First Selectman Pat Llodra, Friends of Elizabeth Esty and local and state politicians. Also marching is Newtown Strong Therapy Dogs, USA Wildcat Cheer, the Shriners, Celtic Cross Fife & Drum, Newtown Police and Honor Guard, Newtown High School Marching Band, 399th Squadron Civil Air Patrol and many more. See the full parade line-up here.

This year's Grand Marshal is Dr. Bob Grossman, chief of surgery at Danbury Hospital, Chairman of the Newtown Health District and 50-year member of the Rotary Club whose motto is, "Service above self." Dr. Grossman has never missed a Newtown Labor Day parade in all 55 years.

Awards and trophies will be given for best float, best musical entry, best school, most patriotic and more.

Parking is available at Big Y, Caraluzzi’s Market, Hawley School, and St. Rose School. Shuttle buses leave from St. Rose School. The parade will begin at 10 am with the Escort Division led by the Newtown Police. It is recommended that spectators find their seats by 9 a.m.

The following roads will be closed:

• Rt. 25/Mt. Pleasant Road at Reservoir Road.
• Main Street access from Academy Lane, Currituck Road, Hanover, School House Hill and West Street.
• Church Hill Road at The Boulevard.
• Rt. 302 at Elm Drive.
• Rt. 25 at Wasserman Way and Elizabeth Street (Detour for Rt. 25 N will be Wasserman Way.
• Queen Street at Elizabeth Street.

No parking tow-away zones will be in effect for the following roads:

• The Boulevard from Church Hill Road to School House Hill Road.
• School House Hill Road from Boulevard to Main Street
• Hanover Road from Main Street to Hall Lane
• Elm Drive from Rt. 302 to Hawley Road
• Meadow Road and Elizabeth Street, one side only.

Roads will be closed from about 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Those interested in supporting the parade can visit the Newtown Labor Day Parade website at www.newtownctlabordayparade.org.

Image by By Jennifer Donovan (Open Post)