Labor Day Parade Set, With Minor Changes

Everyone loves a parade.

Especially Gaithersburg, which this year will celebrate its 73rd annual Labor Day parade in Olde Town on Sept. 5.

This year the route has been altered slightly.

"Construction in Olde Towne will eliminated one side of the street for viewing at the beginning of the Parade, but should prove to have no real impact," said Michele Potter, director of the city's department of Recreation, Parks and Culture.

Otherwise there will be few changes.

"The number of units, historically around 100, along with the route and funding remain constant this year," she said. "Over the years, the utilities wires have been sagging more and more, so the staff will replace the large helium balloons with the walk around blow up costumes as a safety precaution."

Julie Wright, traffic reporter for WTOP News Radio and part of the Fox 5 Morning News Team, will MC the parade.

The parade, started in 1938, is co-sponsored by the city and the Gaithersburg-Washington Grove Fire Department and remains one of the city's oldest traditions.

The History

According to the city website:

The Gaithersburg Fire Department established a rescue squad in 1938 and that year they hosted traditional fundraising events such as dinners and dances and a Labor Day Parade.  Early parades included a band competition, carnival booths and a dance.  Eventually the carnival and dance aspects ceased to be a profitable way for the department to earn money, but the volunteers did continue to sponsor the Labor Day parade until 1977, when a citizen's committee undertook the task of organizing the end-of-summer festivity.  The event is now coordinated by the City of Gaithersburg Department of Parks Recreation and Culture, with continued support from the Gaithersburg-Washington Grove Fire Department.  It has been held every year except 1942, during World War II.

If You Go

There will be free parking in the Olde Towne garage, and handicap parking behind .

Beginning at noon, a shuttle bus will provide transportation from overflow parking at to .

The parade runs rain or shine, and begins at 1 p.m.

For more information and to find out about entering the parade, check out the city's parade page.