Mum Parade signups end Friday

The deadline to participate in this year’s Mum Parade has been extended until Friday. Jack Ferraro, one of the parade coordinators, said they are providing extra time so schools and others who had the summer off have a chance to join in. “We just want to be fair to everyone,” Ferraro said. The parade is closing in a hundred applications so far – a good turnout – and more are expected this week. The 53rd annual festival will include activities along Memorial Boulevard all day on Saturday, Sept. 27 and the yearly downtown parade starting at 1:30 p.m. the following day. It is one of the biggest parades in Connecticut. Retired police officer and longtime American Legion official Bob Coffey is the parade marshal, while former city Councilor David Mills and Michele Boyko, a movie producer, are slated to serve as masters of ceremony. The parade, which can go on for hours, includes everything from dance troupes to elaborate floats. There are typically thousands of people watching along the way. It is not necessary for participants to be from Bristol. To sign up to participate, go online to tinyurl.com/mz6l3lf.

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