Tercentennial Edition Of The Parade Program Is A Must-Have

If you are collecting memorabilia about Newtown’s Tercentennial year to pass on to future generations, you won’t want to miss out on the special 2005 Labor Day Parade commemorative parade program.

The 56-page edition, made possible through private donations and local advertisers, is a glossy full-color booklet packed with not just the order of the parade (in case you are wondering where to join up with whichever of the 116 groups marching this year), but birthday greetings to Newtown, a message from First Selectman Herb Rosenthal, and a listing of the parade awards and trophies. 

Curious as to who casts the vote for best float? Page 20 lists this year’s judges, who will make their astute observations from their perch on Queen Street. Discover the 2005 parade emcees on page 20, as well.

In addition, a brief biography of this year’s grand marshal, Mary Elizabeth Hawley (portrayed by resident Beth Cluff) is included. Ms Hawley, who in her later years gifted our town with funds enabling the building of schools and public buildings, as well as generous endowments, had a more mysterious side to her. Read all about it in this concise, historical essay.

For those who find visiting with all of Newtown as it awaits the start of the parade September 5 not enough to fill the time, the parade program offers a Newtown trivia quiz. Don’t worry, if you are new to town or just plain puzzled over a question, the answers are included, as well.

The 2005 Labor Day Parade Special Commemorative Edition is available at the following locations: the Cyrenius H. Booth Library; Union Savings Bank; Newtown Savings Bank (Main Street); Andrea’s Bake Shop; People’s Bank Queen Street and Stop & Shop; Savings Bank of Danbury; Curtis Packaging; Firehouse Restaurant & Bar; My Place Restaurant; Dr Henry Gellert’s office; Newtown Exxon; Dunkin Donuts; town clerk’s office at Edmond Town Hall; and The Newtown Bee, plus on Saturday and Sunday at the Labor Day Book Sale at Fairfield Hills.

Prior to the parade on Monday there will be seven locations along the parade route marked by posters, showing the colorful front page of the program: opposite Honan’s on Main Street; opposite the Edmond Town Hall; opposite the Inn at Newtown; adjacent to the police station; midway along Glover Avenue; the reviewing stand at the flagpole; and the grandstand on Queen Street adjacent to My Place Restaurant.