NQID - Not Quite Independence Day

2025 Schedule & Information

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

• Just 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, then heads through downtown along Main Street, finishing at the intersection with Stowe St.
• Applicants are encouraged to pre-register for the race by mail (must be received by Thursday, June 26) or on Friday, June 27, from 5-7 pm at Brookside Primary School.
• Race day registration closes at 3:30 pm at the Ice Center.
• Entry fees are $5 for kids (14 and under), $10 for adults.
• The registration form will be posted here when available.

• 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. 

• Fun games include pig races, ring toss, butterfly balloon burst, fish pong, treasure bricks, and more.
• 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.

• Concert and other activities will be in Rusty Parker Memorial Park
• 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 at the State Complex is FREE of charge. Volunteers will ask for a donation to help cover costs for the day's events.
• Parking for the fireworks is available behind the State Office Complex. 
• 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.

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 2023 are:

• Best Overall Trophy Winner - Waterbury MakerSphere

• Best Antique Vehicle - Middlesex Electric

• Most Funny - Where's Waldo? by Bridgeside Books

• Most Patriotic - Fire Department Honor Guard

• Best Kids - Green Mountain Performing Arts

• Best Use of Theme - Waterbury True Value Hardware