25th Annual Parade Celebrates West Hartford's Park Road Area

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Community spirit will be on full display Saturday, with area residents invited to enjoy a traditional staple of West Hartford's autumn — the Park Road Parade.

Organizers are asking folks to bring the whole family to the 25th annual parade, which is a one-hour extravaganza that steps off at 10:30 a.m. 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.

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.

Rowlson was a co-host TV announcer for the parade for many years on West Hartford Community Interactive.

His 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 Channel 3 TV host, blogger, podcaster, public speaker and "advocate for kindness," was selected as the 2022 grand marshal for the event.

In addition, DiNino's favorite charities will join her in the parade: Foodshare, Kenway’s Cause animal rescue center and Fidelco Guide Dog Association.

Parade spectators are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to be donated to Foodshare.

Music is a big component of the parade.

The 2022 edition will feature Colonel John Chester Fife and Drum Corps., Connecticut Valley Field Music, Hall High School & King Philip Middle School marching bands, Hartford & District Pipe Band, Hartt School of Music, Brazilian Samba Band, Marlborough Jr. Ancient Fife & Drum Corps, Rob the Drummer, Sailing Masters of 1812 and Sphinx Shriners False Alarmers and Windsor Fife & Drum.

Meanwhile, 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 is year is GO the Extra Mile race prior to the parade at 9:30 a.m.

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.

Handicap parking is available at 120 Park Road. Spectator parking is located on Richard, Crosby, Gillette and Ringgold streets and Oakwood Avenue (south of Crosby Street).

There is also ample parking on the arterial streets north of Boulevard between South Highland and South Quaker.

Public restrooms are located at Effie’s Restaurant, 91 Park Road, A.C. Petersen Restaurant, 240 Park Road, Playhouse on Park, 244 Park Road, and Three Ladies Antiques, 328 Park Road.

For more information, call Renée McCue at 860-561-7521 or Tony Landino at 860-719-9827, or visit www.ParkRoadCT.com/events.

For the full Town of West Hartford announcement on the Park Road Parade, visit the town website at this link.

From Monday: 'West Hartford Road Race To Feature Mile Of Spirit'