The iconic Newtown Labor Day Parade is just two weeks away. Current Labor Day Parade Committee President Nicole Kullgren is eagerly counting down the days to her first parade as committee president and is looking forward to sharing the new and classic marchers with the community.

“I had a few last-minute participants, so we’re just working on getting those in,” Kullgren said. She added that she is working on finalizing the order of march now.

When asked about any groups she would like to highlight, she answered that she “didn’t want to leave anyone out,” but she ensured that there are a lot of returning groups of marchers, like the Shriners in their mini cars. She also alluded to a roaming circus that will be focused on interacting with the audience members.

“We want to give the little ones, especially, and the big ones, that kind of extra entertainment and picture opportunities,” Kullgren shared with a chuckle.

The Newtown Bee asked about Carolee Mason, this year’s Grand Marshal, Kullgren shared that she is still “beyond the moon excited,” and that she “has never felt so loved.”

Kullgren and the committee focused on adding something new to the parade this year, and one idea that came to fruition is the sale of T-shirts that will include the year. She said she hopes to create a T-shirt every year so Newtown residents can collect them. The Newtown Labor Day Parade Committee sold the shirts Saturday, August 16, 9 am-noon at the Newtown Community Center, 8 Simpson Street.

Part of the funds collected from these shirts will go right back into the Labor Day parade. Kullgren said that the committee is in a “good position,” but “additional funds would allow for a few more acts that we would love to get.” Donations are welcome up to the day of the parade via check or online through PayPal.

If any readers are interested in joining the parade committee, Kullgren invites them to contact her directly. She said, “We would love more members … we need more members.” Though this year is coming to a close, Kullgren would love to have more community members involved.

Volunteers are much of the same; Newtown Varsity Football is the “bulk of volunteers” this year. Kullgren noted that she “would never turn away a volunteer,” and there may be more specific volunteer opportunities as the day draws closer. Reach out to Kullgren via email, nkullgren@att.et.

Kullgren Reflects

The Bee asked Kullgren how she feels as a first-year committee president. She answered quickly, and with one word, “Good!”

Kullgren added, “It’s been wonderful to work with everybody. People who have been in the parade for years and years, they know what they’re doing, they know what they need, they know how to sign up. It’s been amazing to talk with people.”

She added that the new performers are excited to join in on the yearly tradition. With a laugh, she said that it has been “hectic,” and her phone has been ringing, but the parade planning is exciting for her and for all the performers involved.

“I feel like we’re in a good place,” Kullgren said about the lineup, “Everything is really fitting in perfectly.” She expressed her gratitude to her fellow committee members, to the sponsors for supporting the parade, and to the Newtown community and beyond for marching and attending.

Kullgren said, “It is an event that can never stop … To have the community together like that, there’s nothing like it that I’ve ever experienced in my life. That small, New England — you just feel like a town.”

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Reporter Sam Cross can be reached at sam@thebee.com.