'A Tradition Worth Keeping'

The annual Holiday Parade and tree-lighting is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Sunday, and promises to be fun, festive and inspiring!

The parade begins at the Montville/Waterford line on Route 32 – near the Church and Allen Funeral Home – and travel about a mile to Town Hall, where the tree will be lighted.

Sunday is predicted to be a sunny day, with a high in the mid-50s, and a low Sunday night in the mid-40s. So unlike past years, it shouldn’t feel too too wintry! Of course, anything can happen between now and then, but the forecasters seem pretty convinced.

Many local groups, businesses and organizations are planning on participating in the parade. The Montville High School Marching Band and Chorus will be there, as will the brass section of the St. Bernard band, according to the Parks & Recreation Department.

Mayor Ron McDaniel plans to be in the parade, as well.

“Weather permitting and equipment permitting,” he said earlier this week, “it is my intention to ride on ‘The Old Lady,’” the Montville Fire Department’s beautiful old engine.

“I’ll give a very, very short speech,” McDaniel said, light the tree, and bid everyone a merry Christmas.

It’s good to keep the tradition alive, he said. “A lot of towns can’t afford it any more.”

Lt. Leonard Bunnell said that Montville Police officers, assisted by fire police officers from the four town departments, will detour traffic on Route 32 starting at 3:30 p.m.

The northbound detour will run from Route 32 to Red Cedar Avenue in  Waterford, to Jerome Road, to Maple Avenue and back to Route 32. Southbound traffic will take the same detour, in reverse.

Spectators may park on side streets along the parade route, Bunnell said, accessing the streets via Lathrop Road to the east and Jerome Road to the west.