Park Road Parade
Saturday, October 5, 2024
In September of 1998, Richard Patrissi, owner of Patrissi Nursery and Garden Center, Angelo Faenza, owner of the Prospect Café, and Rob Rowlson, West Hartford Director of Community Services, spearheaded the idea of holding a parade to celebrate the completion of infrastructure improvements along Park Road.
Since then, this fun-filled, one-of-a-kind community event has become one of the region’s most popular fall traditions. It celebrates everything special about Park Road, West Hartford, and beyond. Mark your calendar for the grand finale on Saturday, October 5.
Organizing the parade over the last twenty-five years has grown into a nearly year-long volunteer effort. There is no guarantee that Mother Nature will cooperate by keeping inclement weather away. Expenses for the event are incurred each year, even if the parade needs to be canceled due to rain, as was the case in 2022 and 2023.
After much thought and consideration, Parade organizers have decided to pause future parades after this year’s event. Instead, the Park Road Association will focus its future time and energy on multiple events throughout the year designed to celebrate the Park Road Community and promote our neighborhood’s businesses.
The 2024 parade paid tribute to the late Rob Rowlson, a lifelong resident of West Hartford, loving family man, business advocate, and Park Road supporter. Rob was a co-host TV announcer for the parade for many years on West Hartford Community Interactive.
Renée DiNino, WFSB TV host, blogger, podcaster, public speaker, and advocate for kindness, was selected as the 2024 Grand Marshal for the 25th Park Road Parade.
Music is a big component of the parade. The 2024 Park Road Parade featured the combined marching bands of Hall High School and Bristow Middle School, Connecticut Valley Field Music, Hartt School of Music Brazilian Samba Band, Marlborough Jr. Ancient Fife & Drum Corps, Rob the Drummer, Windsor Fife & Drum, and the Boys of Wexford. Anne Cubberly's Giant Puppets will dazzle spectators.
West Hartford Community TV aired the parade live on Comcast Channel 5/Frontier 6098. Watch the 2024 parade on WHCi: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHY_jt9TKdI See a collection of photos on We-Ha.com.
Awards are given yearly to Best Float, Best Overall Performance, Best Costume, Best Musical Performance, and Best Community Spirit. Darlene Zoller and Rick Fountain from Playhouse on Park served as the judges and emcee. The parade winners are:
Best Costumes: A Strand A Head Salon
Best Float: Friends of Feeney
Best Overall: Pink Flamingo Party Co.
Best Musical Performance: Hall High School and Bristow Middle School Marching Bands
Best Community Spirit: Special Olympics of West Hartford
(Photos by Ronni Newton, We-Ha.com)
