Oil the bike wheels, check the tire pressure, decorate it up and get out that patriotic costume/hat/T-shirt — the annual Darien Norwalk Push-n-Pull Parade takes place on July 4.
Here’s an announcement from the organizers:
To the delight of many local children and families, Darien VFW Post 6933 is proudly hosting the 12th annual July 4th Push-n-Pull Parade.
This little doggie got a ride with the young man at the 2015 Push-n-Pull Parade.
In keeping with what has now become an annual tradition for Darien, the patriotic parade of children riding bikes, scooters, wagons and non-motorized vehicles will step off from Goodwives Shopping Center with a start time of 10:30 a.m. sharp.
Families are encouraged to arrive at Goodwives Shopping Center from 9:45 a.m., where Mary Ann Hall’s Music for Children will entertain the waiting crowd before kick-off.
The VFW is pleased to have the sponsorship support of the Rucci Law Group, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, Darien Rowayton Bank, the Darien Youth Commission, Tiger Wealth Management, Dynamic Athletics, Mary Ann Hall’s Music for Children and the support of the Police Department of the Town of Darien, the Fire Departments of Darien, Noroton and Noroton Heights, and, of course, the Town of Darien.
From the 2015 parade: Ace Flyer Elias McCoy, 2 1/2 years old, in his Sopwith Camel, created by his “honorary grandma” Tammy Hawkins. “No instructions — I just did it,” she said.
The Post’s Color Guard will lead the parade with local and state elected officials. The parade, which last year drew close to 3,000 residents, will also feature a special appearance by Darien resident Joe Warren as the beloved Uncle Sam and fire trucks from the Darien, Noroton and Noroton Heights Fire Departments.
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— See also:
- Here’s what the Push-n-Pull Parade looked like last year
- For July 2 Darien Fireworks, Get a Parking Pass Soon — and Here’s More Info
- Police: Various Downtown Darien Streets to Close July 4 from 10:30 AM Till Push-n-Pull Parade Ends
- See Fireworks from the Maritime Aquarium’s Research Boat on Long Island Sound
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Like last year, there will be a contest in which participants will have a chance to win honors in multiple categories, including a “best decorated” category for a vehicle with wheels (e.g., a tricycle, bicycle, scooter or wagon), a “best decorated” category for a float, and a “most patriotic” dressed family category.
From the 2015 parade: After renting a costume for the first two years, Joe Warren of Darien got a call from an organizer of the event asking him for his measurements — they were buying him a costume. How does he clean it? “I take it to the cleaners. Let them worry about it.”
All vehicles must be non-motorized. Winners of the contest will be announced at 10:20 a.m., and they will lead the parade as Honorary Grand Marshals with Uncle Sam and local dignitaries.
The parade travels down the Post Road and ends in Tilley Pond Park, where there will be food vendors and live entertainment by the Ray and Jay Band. There will also be a number of children’s activities taking place there, including face painting and a selection of removable children’s tattoos.
From the 2015 parade: Joanie Costa, 3, all decked out and ready to roll.
This event is free and open to the public, with a suggested donation of $20 per family payable at Tilley Pond Park to benefit the Post’s current restoration of the former Chapel of Fitch’s Home for Soldiers and their Orphans (the first veterans’ home in the U.S. that was established right here in Darien just after the Civil War).
The Chapel is the Post’s headquarters at 205 Noroton Avenue, and we encourage you to stop by to visit us so we can show you around.
About the VFW
From the 2015 parade: Rob Fenge made this tank for his kids, Oliver, 4 (on the left) and Jasper, 6, posing here with VFW members before the parade. Fenge made it and spray-painted it the day before the event.
Our Post membership comprises veterans of all ages who have answered the call of duty to serve overseas in an armed conflict. We have served in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and other armed conflicts.
Since the founding of our Post in 1946, we have actively participated in Darien life, from sharing our real life wartime experiences with Darien students, to delivering holiday greetings to Darien’s elementary schools, to sponsoring a Little League team and a Cub Scout pack, to supporting veterans of Darien, Stamford, Greenwich, New Canaan and Norwalk.
We hope that you enjoy this year’s Push-n-Pull Parade with the next generation of proud Americans, and we give thanks to our great Nation as we celebrate our treasured freedoms on this Independence Day.
Rolling along Old Kings Highway North
Editor’s note: This article originally was published on June 21. The time stamp has been changed to return the link to it onto the Home page.
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