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.
The parade will step off at 10 a.m. from Darien High School and march down Noroton Avenue, ending at Darien VFW 6933.
The parade itself “is going to be a gorgeous chaos,” Zagrodzky said. “It’s going to be great fun.”
Here’s the route.
Families should arrive at 9:45 a.m. with their Festivities will continue at the VFW.
The event is free and open to the public, although there is a suggested donation of $20 per family payable at the VFW Post to help support the post and its headquarters.
Nearby drivers should expect Noroton Avenue in the area of Darien High School to West Elm Street (McGuane Field) to be closed from roughly 10:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., a Darien Police Department announcement said. Drivers should use alternate routes, the announcement said.