Week-Long Celebration Planned Leading Up To Park Road Parade In West Hartford

WEST HARTFORD, CT — The Park Road Association announces "Park Road Parade Days,” an exciting week of events leading up to the annual parade on Oct. 7. In celebration of the 19th annual parade, a special 19-percent off discount card is available for a $20 donation that will help defray the costs of the parade. The card may be used at 15 participating restaurants, stores and businesses on Park Road from Monday, Oct. 2 through Saturday, Oct. 7.

From discounts on meals to a tank fill-up of gas, from children’s clothing to a deluxe cheeseburger, the complete list of participating businesses on where you can use the discount card can be found here.

The card is available for purchase at Effie’s Restaurant at 91 Park Road, Playhouse on Park at 244 Park Road, and Zest 280 Eatery, 280 Park Road.

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On Tuesday, Oct. 3, Zest 280, 280 Park Road, will host the Parade Volunteer Meeting at 5:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. Those who volunteer say it is the most fun they have had in a long time. Owner Kim Yarum is hosting the event with light bites. If you are interested in volunteering, call Rita Soovajian at 860-522-6696 or Tony Landino at (860) 966-4582.

On Thursday, Oct. 5, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., join the association at Park & Oak Restaurant, 14 Oakwood Avenue, for Happy Hour in celebration of the upcoming Park Road Parade. Owner/Chef David Borselle, Jr. is expanding the regular happy hour and is generously donating a percentage of the proceeds to the parade. Choose from a variety of menu and beverage items for only $4-$6. You can nosh on pork tacos, an Angus Cheeseburger, or Spicy Poutine with Roasted BBQ Pork while sipping on a specialty cocktail or craft beer or wine. To view the full Happy Hour menu visit http://parkandoakrestaurant.com/happy-hour/. Stop by and support the Park Road Parade.

During the month of October, bring your cans and bottles to ShopRite of West Hartford, 46 Kane Street, for recycling and donate the nickel refund to the Park Road Parade. Simply bring your slip to the cashier and say “I would like to donate this to the Park Road Parade.” At the end of the month, ShopRite will present a check to the Park Road Association representing a grand total of all the bottle returns donated by store patrons. We thank you in advance for your thoughtfulness!

And finally, the main event, the 19th Annual Park Road Parade will be held on Saturday, Oct. 7 at 10:30 a.m. Every year more than 7,500 spectators line the parade route to watch over 90 participating groups march down the road. A true celebration of West Hartford and beyond, the parade features bands, clowns, dancers, floats, dogs of all shapes and sizes, antique cars, color guards, businesses, civic and cultural organizations and town officials.

This year's Grand Marshal is Heidi Voight, morning anchor at NBC Connecticut Today.

“Heidi is a West Hartford resident who loves the Park Road community, which is exactly why we selected her as the 2017 Grand Marshal,” said Tracy Flater, co-president of the Park Road Association. “She brings energy and enthusiasm to everything she does!”

(Pictured: Tracy Flater & John Paindiris of Park Road Association)

For all parade details, go to ParkRoadCT.com/about-the-parade. In the event of heavy rain, the parade will be canceled and not rescheduled.

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