Gaithersburg, md (july 25, 2022)  after a two year hiatus, the ever-popular gaithersburg labor day parade, one of the city’s oldest traditions, returns to the streets of olde towne on monday, september 5, 2022, at 1 p.m. Now in its 84^th year, this rain or shine event includes high school marching bands, dance groups, costumed characters, antique cars and fire engines, equestrian units, clowns, and more, all winding their way down east diamond and russell avenues.

Are you interested in participating? The city is looking for community groups and other organizations to march in this historic parade. It’s a great way to be involved in the community and to get your group noticed, plus your unit might even win a special award. Organizations and individual volunteers are also needed to distribute program booklets, assist with the parade line-up and participate as characters in the parade.

Note that participation in the labor day parade by groups or organizations other than city of gaithersburg officials, departments or committees does not constitute city of gaithersburg endorsement.

Labor day parade participant registration and agreement forms are available online at www.gaithersburgmd.gov. Application fees waived for early registration received by august 12. A $25 fee must accompany all applications received between august 13 and august 18. No submissions will be accepted after 5 p.m. On august 18. For more information please contact dorthy winder at 240-805-1537, [email protected].

During the parade, free parking will be available in the olde towne garage, located at the corner of olde towne and south summit avenues. Accessible parking for those with disability placards or plates is available behind the victor litz store on the north side of diamond avenue and behind the shell station on south summit avenue. Free shuttle bus service will also be provided from the lakeforest shopping center transit station to gaithersburg elementary school beginning at noon.

About the labor day parade

Gaithersburg’s labor day parade is one the city's oldest traditions. The gaithersburg fire department established a rescue squad in 1938 and that year its volunteers hosted traditional fundraising events such as dinners and dances and a labor day parade.  Early parades included a band competition, carnival booths and a dance. Eventually the carnival and dance aspects ceased to be a profitable way for the department to raise money, but the volunteers did continue to sponsor the labor day parade until 1977, when a citizen's committee undertook the task of organizing the end-of-summer festivity. The event is now coordinated by the city of gaithersburg department of parks, recreation and culture, with continued support from the gaithersburg-washington grove fire department. It has been held every year except 1942, during world war ii, and 2020 and 2021 due to the covid-19 pandemic.