To the delight of many local children and families, Darien VFW Post 6933 is proudly hosting the 15th annual July 4th 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 other non-motorized vehicles, usually decorated, 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 the Darien Community Band will entertain the waiting crowd before kickoff.

The parade last year drew close to 3,000 residents.

In the annual pre-parade contest, 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.

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 and local dignitaries.

The Post’s Color Guard will lead the parade with local and state elected officials.

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.

This event is free and open to the public, with a suggested donation of $20 per family payable at Tilley Pond Park to support the Post and its headquarters, 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 at 205 Noroton Ave., and we encourage you to stop by to visit us so we can show you around.

Many Thanks

The VFW is pleased to have the sponsorship support of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP; JetBlue; Day Pitney LLP; Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP; the Rucci Law Group; Jaguar Land Rover Darien; Laurel Road Bank; and the Darien Youth Commission – without whom this event would not take place.

The VFW would also like to thank Urstadt Biddle Properties, the gracious tenants of the Goodwives Shopping Center, and the Darien Community Band for their support of this annual event.

Last, the VFW is also pleased to have 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.

About the Darien VFW

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.