Parade & Celebration Planned In Fairfield To Honor Fairfield National Little League Team

FAIRFIELD, CT — Win or lose this weekend, the Fairfield National Little League team will be celebrated on Monday, Aug. 25, with a parade and rally at Sherman Green in Fairfield, officials announced on Friday.

The team enters Saturday's United States Championship game with a 4-0 record in the Little League World Series, and will face a team they have already beaten once in the tournament, Summerlin South Little League from Las Vegas, Nevada.

The winner of Saturday's game will face the winner of Saturday's International Championship game — between the Asia-Pacific Region and the Caribbean Region — on Sunday. If Fairfield loses on Saturday, the team will play in the Third Place game on Sunday.

"This team has been unstoppable and has inspired all of us with their sportsmanship and teamwork," said Acting First Selectwoman Christine Vitale in a statement. "We are so proud of these athletes and can’t wait to celebrate their accomplishment with the entire Town."

The parade is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Monday, beginning on Post Road in front of Dairy Queen, and ending at Sherman Green, where a festive community celebration will take place.

A Fairfield Fire Department ladder truck will carry the players down the Post Road, escorted by Fairfield police vehicles.

At Sherman Green, the celebration will include:

• Speakers at the Gazebo, including Fairfield National Little League President Diego Da Lan, team manager and coaches, and introduction of players
• Key to the Town from Acting First Selectman Christine Vitale
• Town and state dignitaries
• Hot dogs available for purchase (free for the team!)
• Ice cream available for purchase from Saugatuck Sweets (free for the team!)
• Music from a live DJ
• A dunk tank
• Fun for the entire community

"All residents are encouraged to line Post Road to cheer on the boys as they ride by on the fire truck escorted by Fairfield Police vehicles, wear team colors (navy blue, red and white), bring signs, and enjoy the party on Sherman Green," officials said. "Let’s give our Little Leaguers the homecoming they’ve earned!"

Fairfield National got to the U.S. Championship game by defeating Las Vegas, 7-3; Lamar Little League of Richmond, Texas, 1-0; Honolulu, Hawaii, 5-1; and Sioux Falls Little League from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, 13-1.

The team is managed by Brian Palazzolo, and coached by Tom Curley and Dave Gryga.

For more information on the Little League World Series, click here.