Police Commission approves route for New Canaan’s 250th parade on June 27

Unidentified Speaker 1, a parade organizer, asked the New Canaan Police Commission on Feb. 18 to approve the route and date for a community parade tied to the town’s 250th anniversary celebrations. Organizers proposed gathering at the lumber yard parking lot, proceeding up Elm Street and down South Avenue to the high school on Saturday, June 27, with a 9:30 a.m. start and a rain date the following day starting at 1 p.m.

"The parade will begin at 09:30," the organizer said, adding the route will include floats, bike brigades, neighborhood marchers and family activities, and that some participants may continue with a picnic and softball game at Cabo Field after the procession. The organizer also said the police chief has been attending planning meetings.

Unidentified Speaker 3 (Chief of Police) told the Commission the department would provide security for the event and would seek state Department of Transportation approval to close the state route segment on South Avenue, noting the town uses the same detour procedures as for Memorial Day events. Commissioners moved and seconded approval of the date and route subject to state approval; the motion passed by voice vote.

Next steps are for organizers to submit the required packet and state application and for the department to finalize staffing and detour plans. The Commission’s approval was conditional on obtaining any required state permits and the department’s operational coordination.