NQID - Not Quite Independence Day

Not Quite Independence Day

2026 Schedule & Information

• A selection of food vendors, craft & souvenir vendors, and non-profits will be set up around Rusty Parker Park, including:
  • Vendor list coming soon
• There will be a variety of beer and cider for sale by the Rotary. The beer sponsor is Lawson's Finest Liquids and the cider sponsor is Cold Hollow - thank you!
• There will not be any outside alcohol allowed into Rusty Parker Park per state regulations.

• Before the parade begins, the Green Mountain Mile runners take to the streets for this family-friendly fun run.  The course starts on the access road to the Ice Center and goes along Main Street to the finish at Stowe Street.
• Click here for race info and application.  Applicants are encouraged to pre-register for the race by mail (must be received by Thursday, June 25) or on Friday, June 26 from 5-7 pm at Brookside Primary School.  Race day registration is at the Ice Center and closes at 3:30.

• The parade will head North on Main St, starting at the State Complex (South) entrance and finishing at the rail bridge by Dac Rowe Field.
• The central section of Main St from Park Row to Stowe Street gets very busy, so please consider watching from alternate areas to keep everyone nicely spread out.
• Please note that traffic on Main Street will be stopped by 3:30 pm and parking will be blocked off around most of Rusty Parker Memorial Park.
• For information on how to be in the parade, please see below. 

• A variety of free and fun games for young children. 
• A train-themed inflatable obstacle course for younger children.
• There will also be face painting!

• Join us in Rusty Parker Memorial Park to hear the winners in each category, as well as best overall parade entry.

• Dance to the lively Soul and Blues music of the Dave Keller Band 
• Take a shot at soaking local luminaries at the dunking booth 
• A suggested $5 donation per attendee will be requested to help fund the day’s events
• Food and beer sales will continue throughout the concert.

• The firework display will be visible from all over town, so find a spot with a clear view of the sky behind the State Complex.
• Parking for the fireworks is available behind the State Office Complex.  The parking is free, however volunteers will ask for a donation to help cover costs for the day's events.
• If viewing on the grass at the State Office Complex, please stay behind the signs.
• Exit the fireworks via Park Row (at the light) or State Drive. All those exiting out of State Drive will be directed South on Main Street and can get onto I-89 in Middlesex if necessary.

• Pedestrian and human powered entries will be directed into Dac Rowe Park and can return to the start along Main Street. 
• Road legal entries that are returning to the start, will be directed into Dac Rowe park and can return to the start via Winooski Street and River Road.
• Road legal entries not returning to the start should continue to the roundabout and Route 100 or Route 2.
• Non road legal motorized parade entries can return to the start via Union Street, Railroad Street, and Park Row.

1. All parade entries must be appropriate for a family audience. An entry may not include image or content that includes nudity, profanity, lewdness, illegal drugs, alcohol, violence, obscenity, hate, racism, or name-calling.
2. Each parade entry shall be under the control of a responsible supervising adult who shall be familiar with and promote compliance with these Rules with entry participants.
3. Participants may not invite or encourage attendees to enter the parade route.
4. Drivers of motor vehicles must not be impaired and must have a valid driver’s license. All motor vehicles must be fully operable, registered and insured. Unregistered Go-Carts, Race Cars, Tractors, etc. will be allowed at the sole discretion of Parade Marshals. All operations during the parade must promote safety for all. No acceleration, loud engine revving, tire burnouts, sudden stops, or erratic actions. All vehicle operators shall obey directions given by Parade Marshals if so given.  If your vehicle cannot idle and maintain a slow speed for an hour, please tow it or keep it on a flat bed trailer.
5. Large floats or vehicles must provide spotters to aid driver visibility and safe operation.
6. Riders are to remain on the float once the parade begins and at all times when the float is in motion. 
7. Parade participants may not throw items to parade attendees. Participants may safely hand out items to attendees. In promoting safety, we need to stop children running into the parade route and keep family groups together on the street.
8. Children must be under adult supervision and seated at all times.
9. Entries with animals shall have a responsible clean up delegate following the entry.
10. Parade groups shall strive to maintain at least 20’ space from the group in front; groups are also requested to not get too far behind the group in front.
11. Participants must keep the pace and are not permitted to make physical stops along the Parade Route. Any performances along the route must be moving or marching. 
12. The parade will run rain or shine! Participants should be prepared with sunscreen, hats, and plenty of water.
13. Safety for all is paramount. The Waterbury Rotary Club reserves the right to remove any participants from the parade who, in the sole opinion of a designated Parade Marshal, is deemed to be either unsafe or potentially unsafe.
14. Emergency vehicles may ONLY sound sirens in the event of an emergency call and need to leave the parade. Other use of sirens is strictly prohibited.   No Exceptions.
15. In case of emergency, all entries must clear the travel lane and allow the passage of emergency service personnel and vehicles and proceed as directed by Parade Marshal or emergency service personnel.

Winning floats from 2025 are:

• Best Overall Trophy Winner - True Value Hardware
• Best Use of Theme - Tiny Acorn
• Best Kids Entry - Youth Hockey
• Most Patriotic - Middlesex Fire Department
• Most Fun - Bridgeside Books
• Best Antique Vehicle - Army Jeep