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Community Corner

Cosmic Carnival Came and East Hampton had a Blast

The applause of hundreds of spectators declared the Cosmic Carnival parade a huge success.

An hour before the parade was even to start, the watchers were jockeying for their special spot along Route 66. The firefighters had the ladder trucks holding a gigantic American flag across Route 66. The excitement was starting to build.

Billed as the longest parade in Middlesex County, the 33 Annual Old Home Days Cosmic Carnival Parade has 120 units. As in past years, there was a prize for the top four floats that most closely fit into the year’s theme of Cosmic Carnival. It was great fun seeing how different groups interpreted the theme. First prize went to the Podium Players, second to Outer Limits and third prize went to Paul's and Sandy’s, who delighted the crowds of people by handing out potted flowers along the parade route. Honorable Mention went to the Cub Scout Troop #57. All four groups will receive a gold bell manufactured in East Hampton by Bevin Co.

Leading the parade was a police cruiser followed by a police color guard, the Boy Scouts and the ever-popular Governor’s Foot Guard.

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Returnees to the parade who always gets a warm reception were Sen. Richard Blumenthal and the South Philadelphia Mummers String Band. The Mummers, whose traditions date back to 400 BC and the Roman Festival of Saturnalias, always thrill the crowds with their costumes and music.

The parade had several other musical groups of different genre. The East Hampton Senior and Middle School Bands were cheered by their hometown. There were several fife and drum corps in the parade including East Hampton’s Third Connecticut Regiment of Fifes & Drums, Cromwell Grenadiers, the 7th Regiment Drum and Bugle from New London, Colchester Continental Fife and Drum, Marlborough Jr. Ancient Fife and Drum and Ancient Mariners of Connecticut.

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On the sports side, the East Hampton boys' baseball team that just took the Class S State Championship got a loud round of applause and whistles. Nate Abraham, the state champion pole vaulter, a group of Little Leaguers, the Belltown Bombers Soccer teams and the Panthers Youth Football represented their sports.

For the children that love them, there was a large array of fire trucks. Apparatus from East Hampton, East Haddam and the East of the River Classics kept their horns blasting.

Everyone once again enjoyed the music and antics of the many contingents of Shriners – clowns, band, motorcycles, little cars and tiny cars.

Anyone interested in exercise could get information from Fit Trix Gym, Marlborough Martial Arts, Team Fitness, Zumba classes and the Happiest Paddler at West Shore marina.

Local organizations work hard to make this community what it is and showing up for the Old Home Days parade is something they always do. Some of them marching this year were the East Hampton Garden Club, East Hampton Senior Center, Knights of Columbus, the Masons (carrying a huge American flag spread out and held up by the members), Middlesex Hospital Ambulance, Bay Point Club, VFW Ladies Auxiliary Post 5095, Rotary Club, DAR, YPCCA, Epoch Arts and the VFW Poppy Queen.

Several cars driven by members of the VFW Post 5095 carried veterans of the Korean War.

Several local businesses also had floats.

Start planning now for what float you are going to enter in next year’s Old Home Days parade.

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