NQID - Not Quite Independence Day
Not Quite Independence Day (NQID)
Not Quite Independence Day (NQID) is a beloved annual celebration hosted by the Waterbury Rotary Club. The 2023 festivities will be on Saturday, June 24, 2023.
After gathering 40 community submissions, the Rotary chose "Peace, Love & the 4th of July" as the winning theme for the 2023 NQID celebration. The winning entry was from Lisa Sholk, who will receive a t-shirt and be invited to sit in the parade review stand to help choose the parade float that best represents the NQID theme, club officials announced.
NQID Parade 2023
Information & Rules
DATE: Saturday, June 24, 2023, 4 PM.
THEME: The 2023 Not Quite Independence Day Parade will have the theme of “Peace, Love & the 4thof July”. There are prizes for best use of theme. Please try to be creative with the use of the theme!
ROUTE: The parade route runs down Main St heading north starting at the South Entrance of the State Office Complex and finishing on North Main St at the rail bridge entrance to Dac Row Field. Once the parade is finished floats can get back to the start point using Union St, Rail Road Street and Park Row, crossing Main St to get back to the State Complex.
CHECK-IN: Drive to State Complex at the North Entrance off Park Row. Please arrive by 3:00 pm in order to be ready for check-in and review by 3:30 pm. The Fire Department will direct you were to line up and where to park cars. If you have special requests for parade lineup order contact Sally Dillon wfdflorians@comcast.net or (802) 498-3761. Waterbury Rotary Parade Marshalls shall review all entries for compliance with these rules.
APPLICATION: No application is necessary, but please email Sally Dillon @ wfdflorians@comcast.net to register and to let us know you plan to be in the parade. QUESTIONS: Please contact Waterbury Rotary Parade Coordinator Phyllis Arsenault-Berry at rottix2@yahoo.com with any questions.
REQUIREMENTS OF PARTICIPATION: Parade participants agree to abide by the following Parade Rules and to follow all instructions from police and/or Rotary Parade Marshals on the day of the parade. The Waterbury Rotary Club reserves the right to remove any entry during assembly or participation at any time during the parade for failure to abide by these Parade Rules.
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 small Go-Carts, Tractors, ect. will be allowed at the sole discretion of Parade Marshalls. All operations during the parade must promote safety for all. No acceleration, sudden stops, or erratic actions. All vehicle operators shall obey directions given by Parade Marshalls if so given.
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. That means NO Candy, NO Ice-Cream, NO Flyers, NO Anything. In promoting safety, we need to stop children running into the parade route and keep family groups together on the street. Participants May Safely Hand out items to attendees.
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.
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 Marshall, 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 shall 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.
LET’S HAVE A SAFE FAMILY FUN DAY!
2023 NQID SHIRTS

We are excited to offer a wide variety of NQID swag with this year's theme - "Peace, Love and the 4th of July." Available items are:
Adult Short Sleeve - $20
Adult Long Sleeve - $30
Adult Hoodie - $50
Youth Short Sleeve - $20
Youth Hoodie - $50
All items will be printed on a light gray background as shown in the examples at left. More information on each item can be found on the order form.
Pre-orders are now closed. A limited selection of short sleeve shirts may be available for purchase after that date, but we cannot guarantee that your preferred style and size will be available!
Pre-ordered items can be picked up at the Waterbury Area Senior Center (14 Stowe Street in Waterbury) on Thursday, June 1 from 4-7 pm and Saturday, June 3 from 10 am-12 pm. Payments must be made then by cash or check.
Everyone is encouraged to wear their swag leading up to and during the NQID celebration on June 24, 2023. See you then!
If you have any questions or issues with your order, please email rotaryclubwaterbury@gmail.com.
Winning floats from the 2022 NQID are:
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Best Overall Trophy Winner - True Value Hardware (Waterbury)
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Best Antique Vehicle - The Silver Annie (Johnson)
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Most Funny - Zenbarn (Waterbury)
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Most Patriotic - Waterbury Ambulance (Waterbury)
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Best Kids - Berry Patch Child Care (Moretown)
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Best Use of Theme - The DEW (Harwood Students)