Members of the community are invited to sign up for the annual Park Road Parade, which this year will be led by Grand Marshal Renée DiNino.

22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton (we-ha.com file photo)

By Ronni Newton

West Hartford’s Park Road Parade is always a highlight of the fall season, and this year’s event will be include a special dedication and will also be preceded by a fun run.

The iconic parade traditionally features a wide variety of floats, dancers, musicians, fife and drum corps, Shriners driving mini firetrucks, dogs, school and business groups, clowns, sports teams, festively-costumed members of the town’s Nepalese and Peruvian communities. Last year even included an electric lawnmower brigade.

This year’s parade will be dedicated to former Director of Community Services Rob Rowlson, who passed away last month at the age of 73. Rowlson was a major force in the revitalization of the Park Road area – and the Park Road Parade, which began in 1998 brought the businesses and residents together in celebration of the two-year road reconstruction and neighborhood beautification project – became an annual event.

For many years Rowlson joined West Hartford Public Relations Specialist Renée McCue as the narrators for West Hartford Community Interactive’s coverage of the parade. His family will be marching in the parade this year, McCue said.

Rob Rowlson (left) and Renée McCue narrated the WHCi coverage of the 22nd Annual Park Road Parade. West Hartford, CT. Oct.2, 2021 Photo credit: Ronni Newton (we-ha.com file photo)

Park Road Parade Co-President Tracy Flater confirmed that Grand Marshal for 2022 will be radio and TV personality Renée DiNino – who is known for her advocacy of animal- and hunger-related organizations. Plans are being finalized for the parade to also highlight those causes and provide donation opportunities.

New this year will be a fun run preceding the parade. Those plans are being finalizing in collaboration with West Hartford’s Fleet Feet Sports.

The parade will kick off at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1, from the corner of Park Road and South Highland Street, and will end at South Quaker Lane. The parade lasts roughly 45 to 60 minutes.

Past parades have featured about 70 separate contingents, and attendance usually exceeds 7,000.

Members of the community are invited to sign up to participate in the parade (click here) even if your group’s plans are not yet finalized.

Awards are given annually in a variety of categories, including Best Float, Best Overall Performance, Best Costume, Best Musical Performance, and Best Community Spirit.

Any questions can be directed to McCue at 860-561-7521 or by email at [email protected].

Like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter so you’ll always be in the know about what’s happening in West Hartford! Click the blue button below to become a supporter of We-Ha.com and our efforts to continue producing quality journalism.