Bring the whole family to the annual Park Road Parade on Saturday, October 7, 2023. The one-hour parade steps off at 10:30 AM, at Ringgold Street and ends at South Quaker Lane.
The Park Road Parade is a true community parade showcasing everyone’s favorite clubs, organizations, schools, churches, bands, neighborhood groups, sport leagues, businesses, dogs, public officials, and even a stilt walker. Parade participants range from sporting simple banners with marchers wearing uniform T-shirts to elaborate costumes, dance numbers and amazing floats. Nearly 60 contingents are expected to march in this year’s parade. Each year the parade draws over 7,000 people to Park Road neighborhood.
This year’s parade pays tribute to the late Rob Rowlson, a lifelong resident of West Hartford, loving family man, business advocate and Park Road supporter. Rob was a co-host TV announcer for the parade for many years on West Hartford Community Interactive. Rob’s family will be represented in the parade with his wife Barbara and his daughter Allison with her husband Andrew Veselak and their sons Zachary and Trevor.
Renée DiNino, iHeartRadio DJ, WFSB TV host, blogger, podcaster, public speaker and advocate for kindness, was selected as the 2023 Grand Marshal for the 25th Annual Park Road Parade. Renée’s favorite charities will join her in the parade. They are Foodshare, Kenway’s Cause animal rescue center, and Fidelco Guide Dog Association.
Parade spectators are encourage to bring a non-perishable food item to be donated to Foodshare. Food collection boxes will be located on Park Road between 9AM and 12PM at Effie’s Restaurant, Plan B Restaurant / Public Smoke House, The White Rabbit, The Village Second Chance Shop, Joey’s Pizza Pie, Playhouse on Park, Edible Arrangements and at the parade stage near Steben’s Auto Body. Cash donations are also accepted. Visit here: https://p2p.onecause.com/parkroadparade or scan the QR code on the donation box.
Awards are given each year to Best Float, Best Overall Performance, Best Costume, Best Musical Performance, and Best Community Spirit. Darlene Zoller and Rick Fountain from Playhouse on Park will be judging and emceeing the parade. West Hartford Community TV will be airing the parade live on Comcast Channel 5/Frontier 6098.
New this year is GO the Extra Mile race prior to the parade at 9:30AM. How fast can you run a mile? Put your sneakers to the test and find out! The out-and-back race begins at the corner of Park Road and South Quaker Lane (near Hall’s Market, 331 Park Road). Runners will cruise down Park Road to the turnaround at Fairlawn Street and race back to the start. The overall male and female winners will be crowned King & Queen of Park Road and get to ride in the parade!
The top 3 finishers in each 10-year age division win a special package of fresh roasted coffee from Victus Coffee (hot chocolate for the kids) and all registered participants will enjoy a post-run pancake buffet hosted by A.C. Petersen Farms restaurant & Victus Coffee and be entered to win one of many gift certificates donated by various Park Road businesses and restaurants.
This run is open to runners of all ages and abilities. Baby strollers are welcomed, but please leave your dogs at home. Registration fee is $20 (Price increases after September 28, 2023). Go to https://runsignup.com/Race/CT/WestHartford/ParkRoadMile
A parade of this magnitude involves a lot of volunteers and sponsors. A big “thank you” goes out to all of them. The 2023 sponsors are: