‘Thank You Tour’ To Roll Through Hamden

HAMDEN, CT — The town of Hamden is sponsoring a “Thank You Tour” vehicle parade beginning at 9 a.m. on Thursday, May 7. The purpose of the event is to “wholeheartedly thank our town’s frontline, essential work force” with a special emphasis on grocery store employees, according to Hamden Police Capt. Ronald Smith.

Participants include the Hamden Police Department, Hamden Fire Department, Connecticut National Guard, American Medical Response, Nelson Ambulance, Hamden Volunteer Fire Department, Hamden CERT and K&J Tree Services.

The vehicle parade will salute essential workers at Aldi Grocery Store, Walmart, ShopRite, Save A Lot, The Home Depot, Price Rite and Stop & Shop, according to Smith. The procession will finish around 11 a.m.

“These essential workers are real heroes in our community,” Smith wrote in a news release. “A hero ‘is a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements or noble qualities.’ They are continuing to report for duty daily, dealing with a great number of people during this pandemic. They are working extended shifts and taking on increased workloads. All at the expense of their health and well-being. The Hamden Police Department and the Town of Hamden could not be more thankful and appreciative for their efforts.

“In addition, the vehicle parade is to also honor those Americans that sacrificed their lives for our country. This is in lieu of the Memorial Day Parade, which has been canceled this year due to the pandemic.”