After gathering 40 community submissions, the Rotary chose "Peace, Love & the 4th of July" as the winning theme for the 2023 NQID celebration. The winning entry was from Lisa Sholk, who will receive a t-shirt and be invited to sit in the parade review stand to help choose the parade float that best represents the NQID theme, club officials announced.

Schedule:

3:00 pm - Food & Beer concessions open
-A selection of food vendors, craft & souvenir vendors, and non-profits will be set up around Rusty Parker Park, including AMURTEL, Rainbow Ice, Kevin’s Poutinerie, Hook and Peel, Dan’s Dough, Kingdom Creamery, Gifts from the Notch, 802 Snow, and so much more.
-There will a variety of beer for sale by the Rotary. The primary beer sponsor is Lawson's Finest Liquids.
-There will not be any outside alcohol allowed into Rusty Parker Park per state regulations.
 
3:45 pm - Green Mountain Mile
-Just before the parade begins, the Green Mountain Mile runners take to the streets for this family-friendly fun run.
-The course starts on the access road to the Ice Center, then heads through downtown along Main Street, finishing at the intersection with Stowe St.
-Applicants are encouraged to pre-register for the race on Friday, June 24, from 5-7 pm at Brookside Primary School.
-There will be race day registration from 2:30-3:30 pm at the Ice Center.
-Entry fees are: $5 for kids (14 and under), $10 for adults.
 
4:00 pm - "Peace, Love, & 4th of July" Themed Parade
-The parade will head North on Main St, starting at the State Complex (South) entrance and finishing at the rail bridge by Dac Rowe Field.
-The central section of Main St from Park Row to Stowe Street gets very busy, so please consider watching from alternate areas to keep everyone nicely spread out.
-Please note that traffic on Main Street will be stopped by 3:30 pm and parking will be blocked off around most of Rusty Parker Memorial Park.
 
5:00 pm - Kids activities begin
-Fun games include pig races, ring toss, butterfly balloon burst, fish pong, treasure bricks, and more.
-There will also be face painting!
 
6:00 pm - Concert by The Hitmen until the fireworks start a little before 9:00 pm
-A suggested $5 donation per attendee will be requested to help fund the day’s events
-Food and beer sales will continue throughout the concert.
 
9:00 pm or thereabouts - Fireworks
-The firework display will be visible from all over town, so find a spot with a clear view of the sky behind the State Complex.
-Parking at the State Complex is FREE of charge. Volunteers will ask for a donation to help cover costs for the day's events.
-Parking for the fireworks is available behind the State Office Complex.
-If viewing on the grass at the State Office Complex, please stay behind the signs.
-Exit the fireworks via Park Row (at the light) or State Drive. All those exiting out of State Drive will be directed South on Main Street and can get onto I-89 in Middlesex if necessary.

NQID Parade 2023

ROUTE: The parade route runs down Main St heading north starting at the South Entrance of the State Office Complex and finishing on North Main St at the rail bridge entrance to Dac Row Field. Once the parade is finished floats can get back to the start point using Union St, Rail Road Street and Park Row, crossing Main St to get back to the State Complex.

CHECK-IN: Drive to State Complex at the North Entrance off Park Row. Please arrive by 3:00 pm in order to be ready for check-in and review by 3:30 pm. The Fire Department will direct you were to line up and where to park cars. If you have special requests for parade lineup order contact Sally Dillon [email protected] or (802) 498-3761. Waterbury Rotary Parade Marshalls shall review all entries for compliance with these rules.
 
APPLICATION: No application is necessary, but please email Sally Dillon at [email protected] to register and to let us know you plan to be in the parade. QUESTIONS: Please contact Waterbury Rotary Parade Coordinator Phyllis Arsenault-Berry at [email protected] with any questions.

Date: July 4, 2023

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