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 2024 festivities will be on Saturday, June 29, 2024 and we are excited to announce the 2024 theme is a "Celebration of Sports."
We encourage teams, organizations, businesses, and everyone else to get involved! Join us with an entry in the parade (information below) or get into the spirit with a t-shirt of this year's theme!
2024 NQID Theme: Celebration of Sports
We are excited to announce our theme for 2024 and hope you will join us in our "Celebration of Sports!"
This theme is inclusive of all ages of athletes and all types of sports, from little league teams to the Olympic games. Parade entrants may highlight motorsports, athletic sports, local championship teams, or even marathon knitting! All local sports teams, sports businesses, and runners are invited to participate. More information and the link to apply can be found below.
2024 Schedule & Information
3:00 pm - Food & Beer concessions open
- 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.
3:45 pm - Green Mountain Mile
- 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 27) or on Friday, June 28, 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.
- Download the registration form here.
4:00 pm - "Celebration of Sports" Themed Parade
- 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.
5:00 pm - Kids activities begin in Rusty Parker Memorial Park
- Fun games include pig races, ring toss, butterfly balloon burst, fish pong, treasure bricks, and more.
- There will also be face painting!
5:30 pm - Parade award winners announced!
- Join us in Rusty Parker Memorial Park to hear the winners in each category, as well as best overall parade entry.
6:00 pm - Concert by The Tim Brick Band until the fireworks start a little before 9:00 pm
- 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.
9:00 pm or thereabouts - Fireworks
- 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.
Please note: while we love dogs, we do request that you please leave them home for this event!
2024 NQID SHIRTS
We are excited to offer NQID t-shirts with this year's logo and theme - "Celebration of Sports."
Short sleeve t-shirts will be offered in both adult and youth sizes and are $20 each. All items will be printed on a light gray background. The logo for shirts is pictured on the left and sample images will be coming soon.
Pre-orders are open through May 24 by filling out the information below. A limited selection of shirts may be available for purchase after that date, but we cannot guarantee that your preferred size will be available!
Items can be picked up in advance, with pickup dates and locations TBD. Everyone is encouraged to wear their swag leading up to and during the NQID celebration on June 29, 2024!
2024 Parade Information & Rules
DATE: Saturday, June 29, 2024, 4 PM.
THEME: The theme of the 2024 Not Quite Independence Day Parade is a “Celebration of Sports”. Please try to be creative with the use of the theme! There are prizes awarded to the best entries, including Best Use of 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. A Parade Marshal will direct you about where to line up and where to park cars. If you have special requests for parade lineup order, please contact the Waterbury Rotary Club at rotaryclubwaterbury@gmail.com. Waterbury Rotary Parade Marshals shall review all entries for compliance with these rules.
APPLICATION: To apply, please fill out the parade application at this link. This will help us to organize the lineup in advance and is greatly appreciated!
QUESTIONS: Please contact the Waterbury Rotary Club at rotaryclubwaterbury@gmail.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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Participants may not invite or encourage attendees to enter the parade route.
- 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.
- Large floats or vehicles must provide spotters to aid driver visibility and safe operation.
- Riders are to remain on the float once the parade begins and at all times when the float is in motion.
- 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.
- Children must be under adult supervision and seated at all times.
- Entries with animals shall have a responsible clean up delegate following the entry.
- 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.
- 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.
- The parade will run rain or shine! Participants should be prepared with sunscreen, hats, and plenty of water.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
LET'S HAVE A SAFE FAMILY FUN DAY!
Winning floats from 2023 are:
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Best Overall Trophy Winner - Waterbury MakerSphere
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Best Antique Vehicle - Middlesex Electric
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Most Funny - Where's Waldo? by Bridgeside Books
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Most Patriotic - Fire Department Honor Guard
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Best Kids - Green Mountain Performing Arts
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Best Use of Theme - Waterbury True Value Hardware