The Waterford Day Parade will start at 10 a.m. Saturday and will travel along Rope Ferry Road, stepping off from Waterford High School and ending at the First Baptist Church.

Over 50 groups have signed up to participate in the parade, including local athletic teams, scout groups, non-profit organizations, school clubs, floats, Waterford fire trucks, Waterford Police Department's ATV and Humvee, first responders, big trucks and equipment, classic cars, race cars, fife and drum corps, veterans and more.

Parade grand marshals are Joyce Vlaun, Waterford Senior Services volunteer of over 40 years and recipient of the first annual Jody Nazarchyk Service Award, and Tom Dembeck, the New London Elks 2023 Citizen of the Year and a longtime Waterford volunteer.

There will be a viewing stand area in front of the Waterford Public Library. The Waterford Police Department's Honor Guard will lead the parade, and local resident and 2020 Waterford High School graduate David Sugrue will sing the National Anthem from the viewing stand area as the Honor Guard passes by.

The parade will honor the four Waterford Senior citizens who are celebrating their 100th Birthday in 2023, as well as Waterford veterans and their families. There will be reserved seating for veterans and their families in front of the Waterford Library as well as preferred parking at the Waterford Library.

Afterward, there will be free activities at the Jordan Green, corner of Rope Ferry Road and Avery Lane. Historic buildings will be open for tours, staffed with volunteers from the Waterford Historical Society. The Ralph Madara Blacksmith Shop will be open for live blacksmith demonstrations. The Army National Guard will bring a Humvee and will also set up a climbing wall. The Tim Fiorvanti Jazz Band will perform, led by Waterford High School's Music Department Chairman Tim Fiorvanti.

For more information, check Waterford First Selectman Rob Brule's Facebook event page.