Thousands Expected At Groton's July 4 Parade

Thousands of people are expected to attend the July 4th parade in Groton this holiday weekend.

Jerry Lokken, manager of recreation services for Groton said 85 to 90 groups have already registered to march in the parade, which starts at 10 a.m. Monday at Poquonnock Plains Park. The marchers will travel about two miles up Route 1 to the Groton Shopping Plaza.

“In terms of events that park and recreation does, this is the biggest event that we put together,” Lokken said.

 Former Mayor Dennis Popp will serve as the grand marshal, and Rear Admiral Michael McLaughlin, the commanding officer of Navy Submarine Group 2, will ride in the parade, along with his command master chief and staff. The parade will also include Groton's fire departments, six of the nine members of the Groton Town Council, the Groton City Council, mayor, city clerk and state representatives.

“Every group in the community is represented in that parade,” said Town Mayor James Streeter.  “From the children up to the seniors.”

Other marchers include the Nutmeg Volunteer Junior Ancient Fife and Drum Corps, the local Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, The Mustang Club, the Westerly-Pawcatuck Chapter of the Antique Automobile Club of America, the New London Motorcycle Club, and the Society for Creative Anachronism, in which participants dress up in medieval outfits.

The new Miss Connecticut, Morgan Amarone, crowned Saturday, will also participate. Lokken said the parade is traditionally her first public event.

Groton's parade started more than 30 years ago, as part of  “Groton Week”, a week-long celebration of the town. The fireworks display will take place on July 9 at Fort Griswold after a 6 p.m. concert.

The fireworks are set off from a barge on the Thames River.