Perfect Weather and Great Crowd Welcome Return of West Hartford’s Park Road Parade

Published On: October 2, 2021Categories: Lifestyle, Park Road
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22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct. 2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

West Hartford’s 22nd Park Road Parade was held on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021.

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

By Ronni Newton

Thousands of people lined the sidewalks of Park Road Saturday as the annual Park Road Parade – which like so many of West Hartford’s signature events was canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19 – made a triumphant return.

It’s been two full years since any parade was held in West Hartford because the town’s Memorial Day Parade was canceled in 2021 as well as in 2020, and with perfect fall weather as a bonus, there were smiles everywhere as the community came out to enjoy the event.

The iconic parade, now back for its 22nd year, featured a variety of floats, dancers, musicians, fife and drum corps, Shriners driving mini firetrucks, dogs, school and business groups, festively-costumed members of the town’s Nepalese and Peruvian communities, and even an electric lawnmower brigade. Mayor Shari Cantor turned multiple cartwheels while walking with other town officials.

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Just behind the West Hartford Police and West Hartford Fire Departments, who led off the parade, was a representative group of this year’s grand marshals – “hometown heroes” nominated by members of the community. Hundreds of people were among those honored for their remarkable efforts throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’re very excited for a family-friendly activity,” said Emily Kagan, who was attending the parade with family and friends, including a group of six children ages 2-4. She said her children attend Knight Hall School, and she feels very much a part of the Park Road community.

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Darlene Zoller and Rick Fountain from Playhouse on Park emceed the event, while Town of West Hartford Public Relations Specialist Renée McCue and Rob Rowlson, the former director of Community Services, provided narration for the WHCi recording of the event.

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22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Mayor Shari Cantor performs a cartwheel. 22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton

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