MIDDLETOWN, Conn. — A parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of American independence is on tap for Monday in Middletown, bringing participants from throughout Middlesex County together for a Labor Day celebration.
The Middlesex County America 250 Parade will begin at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 7, in Middletown's North End near Spring Street and Rome Avenue. The parade will travel south along Main Street before ending at the South Green, also known as Union Park.
The parade is expected to last about an hour. At its conclusion, Middletown Mayor Gene Nocera and Portland First Selectman Michael Pelton are scheduled to deliver remarks and present the Mayor's Award.
State Sen. Matt Lesser, state representatives Belton and Chafee, Jack Fazzino and members of local councils are also expected to attend.
Residents are invited to bring a picnic lunch to the South Green following the parade. Food trucks will be available for food and refreshments.
The event is being organized by the Middletown-Portland America 250 Committee, a collaboration between the city of Middletown and the town of Portland. The committee has organized events throughout the year to commemorate the nation's semiquincentennial, honor Middlesex County and celebrate the shared history of Middletown and Portland.
The committee has emphasized the communities' connection across the Connecticut River, with the Arrigoni Bridge serving as a symbol of that relationship.
"We are very pleased that so many surrounding communities have signed up to join us," Nocera said. "It promises to be an exciting event that will bring the community together."
Nocera thanked those involved in organizing the parade and wished residents a safe Labor Day weekend.
Pelton said the anniversary has provided Middletown and Portland an opportunity to celebrate both the nation's history and the relationship between the two communities.
"The 250th anniversary has given Portland and Middletown a wonderful opportunity not only to celebrate our nation's history, but to celebrate the history and friendship our two communities share," Pelton said.
Pelton said Portland will have a float in the parade and described the event as a fitting conclusion to the year's America 250 celebrations.
The parade was rescheduled from the Fourth of July and will now serve as a Labor Day celebration of the nation's 250th anniversary.
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