The West Hartford Republican Town Committee manages a tent at the Park Road Parade. Our tent is located in front of Stebens Auto Body on Park Road. At the tent we provide the public with information about our candidates running for office and we provide complimentary coffee, hot cocoa, orange juice and bottled water along with doughnuts! We also blow up red balloons for children attending the parade and are proud of to see the sea of red balloons that line Park Road for the parade each year. We meet at 8:30am to set up our tent area.
Below is more information about the overall event.
Bring the whole family to the 25th and final Park Road Parade on Saturday, October 5, 2024. The one-hour parade starts 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, businesses, dogs, public officials, and floats. 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, which draws over 5,000 people to the Park Road neighborhood each year.
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 by his wife, Barbara, his daughter, Allison, and her sons, Zachary and Trevor.
Renée DiNino, WFSB TV host, blogger, podcaster, public speaker and advocate for kindness, was selected as the 2024 Grand Marshal for the 25th Park Road Parade.
Music is a big component of the parade. The 2024 Park Road Parade will feature the combined marching bands of Hall High School and Bristow Middle School, Connecticut Valley Field Music, Hartt School of Music Brazilian Samba Band, Marlborough Jr. Ancient Fife & Drum Corps, Rob the Drummer, Windsor Fife & Drum, and the Boys of Wexford. Anne Cubberly's Giant Puppets will dazzle spectators.
Awards are given yearly 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 air the parade live on Comcast Channel 5/Frontier 6098.