Holidays

Police Announce Turkey Bowl Parking and Traffic Regulations

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Darien police on Tuesday described traffic and parking regulations that will be in effect for the Thanksgiving morning Turkey Bowl:

Here’s the police announcement:

Due to the traditionally large turnout for the Thanksgiving Day football game
between Darien and New Canaan High Schools, the Darien Police Department advises
that the following traffic regulations are being put into effect for the area surrounding
Darien High School on Thanksgiving morning, November 28, 2024. Those attending should plan for traffic delays and needing extra time to arrive at
this event. All vehicle traffic will enter the DHS campus via Noroton Avenue. High
School Lane and Nutmeg Lane will be closed to incoming vehicle traffic at 7 a.m.

Those walking to the event will be permitted to enter at these locations. Parking on
campus is limited and will be available only to those who have the issued event parking
passes.

Holidays
Thanksgiving football

What’s Open, What’s Closed and What’s Happening in Darien From Thanksgiving Thru Cyber Monday

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Here’s what’s open and closed from Thanksgiving Day through the weekend (with information about the Turkey Bowl, Small Business Saturday, and other Thanksgiving-related events. Links below are to web pages with holiday closing information. Day Before Turkey Day (Wednesday, Nov. 28)
SUPERMARKETS, ETC.:

Costco: 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Flour Water Salt Bread: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. — and no bagels this day

Palmer’s Market: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Sono Baking Co. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pick up Thanksgiving orders ONLY after 10 a.m. 

Stop & Shop:  7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Whole Foods Market: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

PHARMACIES:

CVS: Store:  7 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Pharmacy: OPEN 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (closed 1:30 to 2 p.m.)

Grieb’s: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Darienite.com called them.)

Walgreens: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Pharmacy: OPEN 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (normal hours)

OTHER:

Darien Library will CLOSE EARLY at 5 p.m. (It will reopen at 12 noon on Friday.)

Darien Public Schools will be CLOSED; schools will reopen Monday, Dec.

AAA 2024

AAA: Thanksgiving Is the Biggest Holiday for Travel — Best Times to Avoid Traffic, Lines, Crowds

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AAA projects a record 79.9 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home over the Thanksgiving holiday travel period. For the first time, AAA’s forecast includes the Tuesday before and the Monday after Thanksgiving Day to better capture the flow of holiday travelers. This year’s projection of nearly 80 million travelers is an increase of 1.7 million people compared to last year and 2 million more than in 2019. “Thanksgiving is the busiest holiday for travel, and AAA continues to see demand soar post-pandemic as Americans reconnect with family and friends and seek memorable trips to new destinations,” said Lauren Fabrizi, spokesperson for AAA Northeast. Best and Worst Times to Drive
The worst times to travel by car over Thanksgiving are Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon, according to INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights.

Holidays
Veterans Day wreath

Darien Veterans Day Ceremony Starts at 10:45 AM, Monday in Front of Town Hall

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The Monuments and Ceremonies Commission of the Town of Darien invites you to participate in our annual Veterans Day observation at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Nov. 11. The ceremony will be held at Veterans’ Circle, located immediately in front of Town Hall, 2 Renshaw Road. — an announcement from the town Monuments and Ceremonies Commission

The ceremony itself will begin at 10:45 a.m., and last 20 minutes. Members of VFW Post 6933 will raise the flag, then lower it to half-staff.

9/11 Monument 2024
9/11 Monument

September 11 Memorial Ceremony Starts at 8:25 AM, Wednesday

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The Darien Monuments and Ceremonies Commission invites you to participate in the annual September 11th Memorial Observation Ceremony. The Ceremony will begin at 8:25 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 11 at the town’s 9/11 Monument, located in the courtyard behind Middlesex Middle School on Hollow Tree Ridge Road. School will be in session, so please park in the rear lot. The ceremony is expected to last 35 minutes.

Holidays
Sept 11 2023 Encino

AAA: Drivers Traveling for Labor Day Weekend Should Avoid Thursday, Friday Afternoons and Evenings

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When it comes to traffic, car travelers should avoid the most congested afternoon and early evening hours of Thursday and Friday, according to the AAA, citing INRIX, a provider of transportation data and advice. — an announcement from AAA Northeast

Drivers should hit the road in the morning unless they’re leaving on Saturday, when the best time to travel by car is in the afternoon. Travelers returning on Sunday and on Labor Day should leave as early as possible to avoid heavy traffic in the afternoon. “The most severe traffic jams over holiday weekends almost always come as commuters mix with travelers,” said Lauren Fabrizi, spokesperson for AAA Northeast. “Road trippers can pave the way for smooth drives by strategically planning their departures around the best times to hit the road.”

Gas Prices
Travelers taking road trips should expect to pay less for gas compared to last year.

Holidays

Rain, Rain Sends Away Darien’s Fireworks Display — Postponed to Friday, July 19, If It’s Dry

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Darien’s firework display has been postponed to Friday, July 19, “due to impending inclement weather” the town government has announced on its website. In other words: Rain, rain sent away Darien’s Fireworks Display. Wait a week, and whaddaya say? If it’s dry, that’s the day. Darien’s town fireworks are now scheduled to begin at about 9 p.m. on the 19th.

Town Hall

New Flags Donated to the Town

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Three Darien businessmen who donated dozens of flags for downtown lampposts have been thanked by the town Beautification Commission in a public letter. “On behalf of the Darien Beautification Commission, we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for the generous donation of the American flags that you sourced, purchased and assembled,” commission members said in a letter to the three businessmen: David Hawes, head of the Hawes Team at Compass real estate; David Campbell, CEO and president of Rings End Lumber and John Hertz, one of the founders of Hollow Tree Self Storage. “Your support played a pivotal role in the success of the celebration of Memorial Day and towards the overall beautification of Darien, and we are immensely grateful for your contribution. “To have the flags flying from the town lampposts is not only beautiful but also serves to remind the town of the sacrifice that so many have made for our freedom,” the letter continued. “We have received positive feedback, and it is clear that your contribution to the town’s appearance makes a significant difference.”

Fourth of July 2024
Dog with American Flag Old Glory Fourth of July 4

Four Tips to Keep Your Pets Calm and Safe Over the Fourth of July

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Food. Fireworks. Parties. While many people love the July 4 holiday, it can be traumatic for pets who have a phobic reaction to the loud sights and sounds that are synonymous with Independence Day celebrations. — an announcement from Best Friends Animal Society

With dogs and cats getting spooked and running away from yards, doors, and even screened windows to escape the chaos, the day can go from being festive to fraught for pet owners, too.

Fourth of July 2024
DWI Driving while intoxicated

Do Your Country and Yourself a Favor: Patriots Don’t Drive Buzzed

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There’s no shortage of ways to celebrate Independence Day in Connecticut. Spending time getting your mugshot is one of the worst, and getting into a car crash is even worse. — an announcement from AAA Northeast
Revelry mixed with high traffic volume over the holiday period can bring an increased crash risk, especially crashes involving drivers impaired by alcohol. AAA projects a record 60.6 million people will travel by car over Independence Day week – an additional 2.8 million travelers compared to last year. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 487 people died in traffic crashes during the 2022 Fourth of July holiday period, and 40% of those fatalities occurred in drunk driving crashes.

Darien July 4th 2024
Sopwith Camel Push-n-Pull parade

The Always Cute Push-n-Pull Parade Coming Thursday Morning, July 4, Preceded by a Ceremony

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Darien’s annual Push-n-Pull Parade will celebrate Independence Day rolling down Noroton Avenue starting at 10 a.m. with kids on decorated bikes, scooters, wagons, and non-motorized vehicles bedecked in red, white and blue. Just before the parade, a 25-minute ceremony with patriotic music will include selected readings from the Declaration of Independence and recognition of Darien students currently attending military academies, university ROTC programs and on active duty. First Selectman Jon Zagrodzky said at Monday night’s Board of Selectman meeting that he will be joining some Darien children in reading selections of the Declaration. Seating will be provided for the ceremony, which is organized by the Darien Monuments and Ceremonies Commission. The event will begin at 9.30 am in the Darien High School Courtyard, immediately preceding the Push-n-Pull Parade, sponsored by the Darien VFW.

Holiday Travel 2024
Statue of Liberty

Number of Holiday Travelers Rising 5 Percent Over Last Independence Day Week, AAA Predicts

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AAA projects 70.9 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home during the Independence Day holiday travel period from June 29 to July 7, a 5.2% increase over last year. In New England, AAA Northeast is projecting 3.5 million will be traveling in the days around the holiday, up more than 200,000 from last year, or about 5.1%. — Announcements combined from AAA and AAA Northeast. For the first time, AAA looked at the entire July 4th week, plus the Saturday before and the Sunday after the holiday. This year’s projected number of travelers for that time period represents a 5% increase compared to 2023 and an 8% increase over 2019.

Flag Day 2024
Flag flying Old Glory Flag Day

You’re Invited to Darien’s Flag Day Ceremony on Friday

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Darien’s Monuments and Ceremonies Commission and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6933 invite you to participate in the town’s annual Flag Day Ceremony at 5 p.m., Friday, June 14, at Veterans Circle in front of Town Hall. — an announcement from the Monuments and Ceremonies Commission
Veterans and residents will recite the poem “I Am Your Flag.”
Town selectmen and the VFW Color Guard will participate as old flags are collected and retired and a new flag is presented and hung on the Town Hall flagpole. VFW members will then execute a ceremonial flag folding.

Letters to the Editor
Letter to the Editor Battle of Braddock's Field

Many of Darien’s Holiday Events, Including Memorial Day Observances, Are Organized by This Town Commission

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To the editor:
What is it about a parade that brings out the hometown feeling in residents? The flags waving from every hand, small and large? Crowds on the sidewalk straining to see the parade’s eclectic group of marchers? Even on a gray day threatening rain, the crowds in Darien attend the Memorial Day parade. We often forget that veterans, during war, did not falter or stop on the whims of the weather!   Memorial Day is an observance of all those who fought!

Darien’s 2024 Memorial Day: Parade, Ceremony, Address, Food Fair

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The Darien Memorial Day Parade will be held Monday, May 27, 2024, kicking off at 10 a.m. Traffic detours and restrictions will be in effect at some locations beginning at 8 a.m. (see below). Marchers will gather in the parking lot of Goodwives Shopping Center, 25 Old Kings Highway North, turn right and follow Old Kings, turning left onto Brookside Road and then left onto the Post Road, through downtown, and end up at the corner of Post Road and Hecker Avenue. Right after the parade (usually at about 11:15 a.m.), the towns’ Memorial Day observance will take place at Spring Grove Veterans Cemetary, across the street from Police Headquarters. Traditionally, wreaths are placed at the monument during the ceremony. The names of those from Darien fallen in war are read and a gun salute is fired off.