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And After the Park Tour, Get a Little Crazy...

Hooker Day Parade Saturday

Andy Hart

October 20, 2011

Hartford’s annual Hooker Day Parade will be held in Downtown Hartford this Saturday, October 22, from 2 - 3 pm. The parade will start at the intersection of High and Allyn Streets. It will proceed east on Allyn Street, north on Ann Street, east on Church Street, south on Trumbull, west on Pearl, north on Ann and end back on Allyn Street.

“Mayor Mike” Peters organized the first Hooker Day Parade in 1991 to bring some excitement to Downtown and loosen up the “Insurance Capital of the World.” The parade was named in honor of the founder of Hartford, Rev. Thomas Hooker.

The parade became higly popular after Peters became Mayor in 1993, but went on hiatus in 2001 after Peters left office.

The Hartford Business Improvement District and HARTFORD.COM brought the Parade back in 2008 to rave reviews. Peters passed away in 2009 and the parade is now held in his honor.

Mayor Pedro Segarra will once again play the part of Thomas Hooker in this year’s parade, which will include many old favorites, such as the Cone Street Coneheads and Anne Cubberly’s gigantic, whimsical puppets. Among the new features in this year’s parade will be Philadelphia’s Ferko Mummers, who have performed all over the world, including at the Indy 500 and Mardi Gras.

Following the parade, there will be a Family Friendly After-Party on Allyn Street from 3 - 4 pm. An after-party designed more for adults will be held from 4 - 6 pm at the Pour House.

In case of heavy rain, the Hooker Day Parade will be held on the following day, Sunday, October 23, same time, same place.