Tropical Storm Hermine shifted its direction just in time to allow the 2016 Newtown Labor Day Parade to take place without a hitch at 10 am on Monday, September 5.

The 2016 Labor Day Parade Committee President Beth Caldwell said, "We were absolutely lucky with the weather and blessed with a cool, rainless day. It went great!"

Under slightly overcast skies, residents were able to sit out along the parade route with family, friends, and pets.

Eagerly awaiting the parade to start was Gillian and Kyle Boughan, Camryn Story, and Emily Wight. The young children sat out together on a yellow blanket at the corner near the flagpole; a spot that their family said they have been going to for 30 years. Clearly seasoned parade goers, the group came prepared with snacks, like Dunkin' Donut Munchkins, to pass the time.

Also in the crowd by the flagpole was Newtown High School alumni Helen Pantuso. She came up all the way from Florida to attend her 40th NHS reunion and saw local band Panacea play the previous day at Dickinson Park. She said she purposefully stayed in town longer because she wanted to attend the Labor Day Parade.

"I marched in this parade as a Girl Scout," said Ms Pantuso. "It exemplifies the best of Newtown, so I made sure to stick around."

Hometown pride could not only be seen in the pack of spectators, but also in the parade participants.

The Wizard of Oz, whose characters go to the Emerald City.

In honor of celebrating the Newtown Labor Day Parade's Emerald Anniversary of 55 years, the theme was "There's No Place Like Home," reminiscent of the line in the popular film

To remind residents just what makes Newtown home, all the groups that marched in the parade were encouraged to represent the theme in some way.

Sandy Hook Elementary School took home the award for Most Fitting Parade Theme by having a number of exceptional elements showcase the topic. The first thing the audience saw when the group was coming down the road was their big, bright, colorful banner that read "Welcome Home Sandy Hook School." Those walking with SHS wore their green school shirts, and many waved American flags and SHS flags, as well as green and white pompoms. The float itself had a miniature replica of the new SHS building, a chalkboard with "There's no place like home" affectionately written out, and a large rainbow made up of individual handprints cut out in different colors.

In front of the SHS float was Newtown's famous dancing traffic guard, Kat Holick. She got the crowd energized by showing off her fun dance moves while sitting atop the back seat of a convertible. As she went by, many people from the sidelines excitedly smiled and waved to her enthusiastically.

Wizard of Oz and School of Rock productions. Some members rode in the float, while others sang and danced around it.

Another group in the parade that caused quite a stir from the crowd was NewArts, which won the Most Crowd Pleasing Rooster Award. The vibrant float had a mix of cast and crew from its

The Wizard of Oz's Glinda the Good Witch, played by Payge Shaw and Juliana Koziol, drew a big reaction from the crowd. Both wore big, fluffy, sparkly pink dresses that could not help but turn heads from everyone nearby.

Enchanted. I was just a girl with a huge, beautiful dress, casually walking down the streets of Newtown. Then to see all of these little girls' faces lights up when they saw Glinda was amazing."

After the parade, Ms Koziol said, "I felt like Geisel in [the movie]

School of Rock production included Shawn Allen, who played the character Dewey Finn, the singer; Virginia Grabowsky, who played Katie, the bass player; and Luca Terilli, who played Zach Mooneyham, the guitarist. They gave everyone watching the parade a front row seat to their hit show by performing a number of songs throughout the procession's route.

Those standing on top of the NewArts float from the

The parade's milelong trek started at the top of Main Street by Currituck Road and traveled south toward the four-way intersection. After turning onto Glover Avenue, the procession made its way down to Queen Street in the direction of the Newtown Middle School. Judges awaited all the groups at the end of the route to decide the winners for each category. This year, the judges consisted of members in the Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps.

(See bottom of article for complete list of winners and runner-ups.)

Members of the Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps also walked in the parade. Many gave out candy, making them a popular attraction.

Two candy enthusiasts at the parade were twin girls Kinsey and Logan, "5-and-3/4-years old," who were with their parents, Earl and Jenna Hill. The twins loved running to collect all the candy being thrown to them from members of the parade.

"The kids really love all the candy," Mr Hill said, "We've been enjoying the Labor Day Parade since we moved to Newtown in 2004. Our favorite part of the parade is [seeing] friends and families together having fun."

Also excited for all the free sugary treats was young Savannah Keller. She stood at the edge of the road near the flagpole and took the role of friendly greeter to all the marchers passing by. With a big smile on her face, she kindly waved to each group. Savannah and her parents were most excited to see her brother and sister march with the 399th Composite Squadron Civil Air Patrol.

Another group that looked forward to seeing someone they knew in the parade was Hudson Tinkler, 6; Oliver Clancy, 9; Finn Clancy, 7; Beau Clancy, 5; and parents Dominique and Ryan Clancy and Rob and Cara Tinkler, who come to the parade every year. They all were excited to see Mr and Mrs Tinkler's daughter in the parade with the ballet company.

The annual Labor Day Parade is always a relaxing way to celebrate and spend time with family and friends, whether gathered on the sidelines or being part of the parade itself.

This year's grand marshal was retired local physician Dr Bob Grossman, who shared the parade spotlight with some of his great-grandchildren. They all rode in the procession in an antique car adorned with American flags.

When all the candy was tossed, the groups had marched by, and the crowd had packed up their chairs, what was left was the feeling that there really is no place like Newtown.

The 2016 Labor Day Parade Award Winners and Runner-upsBest Musical Entry, Senior Division:First Place:Runner Up: Celtic Cross Pipes & Drums

Connecticut Alumni Senior Drum & Bugle Corps

Gaelic Highland Pipe Band

Best Musical Entry, Junior Division:

First Place:

Runner Up: Sons of Portugal Band

Cub Scout Pack 270

Best Float:

First Place:

Runner Up: Newtown Forest Association

Best Non-Musical: REACH Newtown

Ashurst Academy of Irish Dance

Best School:

First Place:

Runner Up: St Rose of Lima School

Folklore Group of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Best Dance Group:

Connecticut Tiare Polynesian Dance TroupeFirst Place:

Runner Up:

Newtown Hook & Ladder Company, No. 1

Best Fire Company:

First Place:

Runner Up: Dodgingtown Volunteer Fire Department

Great American Fife & Drum

Best New Entry:

First Place:

Runner Up: Won's Tae Kwon Do Academy

Most Fitting Parade Theme: Sandy Hook School

Most Colorful: Fiesta del Norte

Most Crowd Pleasing Rooster Award: NewArts

Legends & Pioneers: Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps

Newtown Bee staff photos of the parade are available to view in this week's online photo gallery.