So many people have volunteered to help out at the event that as of earlier this week there was a waiting list, according to Sal Cucia, assistant director of Wethersfield Parks and Recreation. There's always the chance of last minute dropouts, he said, so if you want to get involved can contact Chris Traczyk at wethersfield375@yahoo.com.
If the weather doesn't cooperate, the parade will be postponed to Oct. 4. So if the forecast looks iffy, check for the latest parade updates by calling the Parks and Recreation program information line at 721-2890, clicking on the "Latest Announcements" section of the town web site http://wethersfieldct.com, listening to WTIC on the radio, or checking Wethersfield's Channel 16 announcements.
The parade will step off at 1 p.m. from the Solomon Welles House at the corner of Hartford Avenue and State Street and will head west to Nott Street, then proceed to Garden Street. The parade will continue all the way down Garden Street, then turn left onto Main Street. It will follow Main Street north and turn left onto State Street, ending at the Department of Motor Vehicles parking lot.
The approximate distance of the route is 1.6 miles, and the parade is expected to last approximately two hours.
Parking will be available throughout the parade route at several designated parking lots. Spectators may also park on any residential street not marked by "no parking" signs.
The following parking lots are available within the parade route itself: Hanmer School, The Stillman Building, Trinity Episcopal Church, Chas. C. Hart Seed Company and the Keeney Memorial Cultural Center. If you park in one of these designated areas be aware that they are located within the parade route. If you wish to leave before the parade has ended there may be some delay in exiting.
Parking areas available outside of the parade route include the parking lots at Wethersfield Town Hall, Clearing House Auction Galleries and Putnam Park.
Handicapped parking will be available at the First Church of Christ parking lot at 250 Main St. A roped-off section will be available for those with disabilities next to the reviewing stands at 250 Main St.
Shuttle buses will run from Putnam Park on Great Meadow Road to the Keeney Memorial Cultural Center on Main Street. The shuttle will begin at 11 a.m. and continue one hour after the parade has ended.
Public restrooms will be available for use at the following locations: Keeney Memorial Cultural Center, American Legion and the Trinity Episcopal Church, all on Main Street. In addition, the Stillman Building (the Board of Education offices) on Hartford Avenue will be available.
All are handicapped accessible with the exception of the restrooms at the church. Portable handicapped accessible units will also be available at Standish Park and the corner of Hart Street and Main Street.
This weekend is also the start of the thirteenth annual Scarecrows Along Main Street. Dozens of creative scarecrows - the work of children, families, adults, businesses and organizations - line the historic district of Old Wethersfield. This year there's a special category celebrating Wethersfield's 375th Anniversary. All the scarecrows will be on display through Oct. 25.
For more information, visit wethersfieldct.com.