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Judges have received their instructions, 85 groups have registered to be part of the line of march, and spectators can plan to drop off their place-holding chairs on Sunday afternoon along Main Street, Glover Avenue, and the northern section of Main Street.

A longstanding tradition will return on Monday, September 5, when the 2022 Labor Day Parade steps off at 10 am from the corner of Main Street and Currituck Road.

Residents and friends have waited for two years to see the end-of-summer event return. The last time the parade went down its nearly 1.25-mile route was September 2, 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, resulting in subsequent 2020 and 2021 cancellations.

The Labor Day Parade Committee has been working for months on this year’s event. They conducted their final pre-parade meeting Tuesday, August 30, welcoming this year’s judges and the grand marshals for a formal photo before a final planning session.

Grand Marshals Margot & Robert Hall

Margot and Robert Hall have been tapped to serve as this year’s grand marshals.

The longtime residents — he has lived here all of his life (“so far…,” as the joke goes); she moved to town 63 years ago, two years before they were married — are usually involved in the parade through their active membership in the Newtown Republican Town Committee. He walks with RTC and its guests in the parade. She is often stationed with Marie Smith at the committee’s water tent on Queen Street near the conclusion of the parade route.

They have both been active in myriad local clubs, organizations, elected town positions, and Newtown Congregational Church worship and mission opportunities for decades. Their three children each went through the Newtown school system, providing additional opportunities for the couple to be involved in local avenues.

Monday morning, however, the Halls will be driven over the traditional parade mile route, in the coveted lead position granted to Grand Marshals. They will lead those honoring this year’s theme of “Celebrating Newtown’s Hidden Gems.”

In announcing the decision to honor the Halls earlier this year, Parade Participant Chair & Lineup Coordinator Melissa Kopcik said the couple is “an integral part of our community, in many capacities. He’s been a town attorney, and still practicing law, and she was a probate judge. They’ve also served on so many committees.”

The Halls will be joined on the Judges’ Grandstand on Queen Street by this year’s judges: Bob Geckle, Pat Llodra, Ed Miklaszewski, Anne Ragusa, and Don Studley.

The Halls and judges will be picking the top participants in 11 categories on Monday, from Best Float, Best Music Entry (senior and junior levels) and Most Patriotic Entry to Best School, Best Fire Company and the coveted Most Crowd Pleasing-Rooster Award, among other categories.

Returning another tradition, one honor was already announced by the parade committee on August 30: The honoree for the 2022 Legends & Pioneers Award — given to a group or individual who has remained longtime participants, helping make the parade a special tradition — is Pat Caruso, founder and president of Associated Refuse Haulers.

In announcing the honor, Kopcik told The Newtown Bee that Caruso “has been an integral piece of the parade for many years, providing trash receptacles and portable restrooms for the parade.

“Pat is an outstanding member of the community often giving generously of himself and his services to the community,” she added. “We are proud to honor Mr Caruso as this year’s well deserved Legend and Pioneer Award winner.”

Crowds will have two locations to join the singing of the national anthem. Newtown Middle School English/Language Arts educator Susan Lang will lead “The Star-Spangled Banner” from the emcee stand at the Main Street flagpole, and Newtown High School junior Alex Kirkman will be staged near the judges’ stand on Queen Street.

Lang will then remain at that location, where she will again join Newtown Bee Editor John Voket as a returning parade emcee there.

Emcees at the Queen Street bandstand will be Bill Brimmer and Jason Edwards.

The parade route will be closed to non-parade traffic by 9:30 am Monday, and will remain closed until at least 12:30 pm or until the final unit — this year, Dodgingtown Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company — finishes walking the route.

Following is the 2022 Newtown Labor Day Parade line of march as provided by the Labor Day Parade Committee:

Newtown Police Department Honor Guard

Newtown Police K-9 Unit & Affiliates

Newtown High School Marching Band & Color Guard

Grand Marshals Margot & Bob Hall, escorted by REACH Car Club

Legends & Pioneers Award Winner Pat Caruso, also escorted by REACH Car Club

Maplewood Senior Living at Newtown

First Selectman Dan Rosenthal escorted by wife Meri and son Ben

Selectmen Maureen Crick Owen and Ed Schierloh

Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard

Newtown Republican Town Committee, elected officials and candidates

Newtown Democratic Town Committee, elected officials and candidates

Connecticut Alumni Senior Drum & Bugle Corps

Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company

Miss Connecticut Outstanding Teen 2022 Peyton Troth

The Exceptional Sidekick Therapy Dogs

Newtown Centre of Classic Ballet & Voice

Knights of Columbus Assembly 3230 & Council 185

The 2nd Connecticut Volunteer Heavy Artillery Reenactment Group

Rob’s Auto Monster Truck

REACH Car Club/REACH Kids

Dave Rosato & Family pulling sponsor rolling billboard

CT Tiare Polynesian Dance Troupe

Immaculate Heart of Mary Dance Group

Newtown High School Wrestling Team

Anthony Bello SK Modified Race Car Driver

Newtown Savings Bank rolling billboard

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