Labor Day Parade Fundraising Fizzles Out

All of the plans are set: bands have been contacted, elaborate Tercentennial floats are in the works, the parade marshal has been selected, and the September 5 date is set in stone. The 2005 Newtown Labor Day Parade is ready to dazzle the crowds; but where are the donations? As happens every year, parade supporters appear to be waiting until the last moment to cough up their cash, keeping the parade committee on pins and needles.

“Forty dollars does not a parade make!” exclaimed Kym Stendahl, chairperson for the 2005 Labor Day Parade. Of the worst fundraising campaign she has seen in years, she said that while generous donations from the Newtown Rotary Club and the Newtown Lions Club, and a pledge from the Tercentennial Committee will help immensely, the committee is still far from its goal of the more than $18,000 needed to fund the popular parade.

“We are getting only two checks a week for about $20 each,” said Ms Stendahl. Without adequate funds, the parade committee is unable to pay for expenses related to the parade, including printing costs, promotional materials, the cost of bands, and trophies.

Ever the optimist, though, Ms Stendahl believes that Newtowners will come through. “It is always tense this time of year. But I have faith that we will raise the money.”

Donations can be sent to The Newtown Labor Day Parade, c/o Newtown Savings Bank, 39 Main Street, Newtown CT 06470.