Thomas McMillian Photo
The 53rd Freddie Fixer Parade will be marching down Dixwell Avenue the Sunday after next, and organizers have planned a whole weekend of events.
Launched in 1962 as a neighborhood clean-up, the parade has become an annual showcase of African-American pride and accomplishment.
This year, a face that is familiar around City Hall will lead the way.
Al Lucas (pictured at right in the photo), director of legislative services for the New Haven Board of Alders, will serve as parade grand marshal. Longtime Dixwell neighborhood resident Barbara Watley will serve as honorary parade marshal.
Lucas said that being named the official grand marshal of the parade was something he never saw himself being tasked with, but he is looking forward to it and sees it as an honor he’d always treasure.
“The parade is an iconic tradition that pays homage to the the past and tribute to the current contributors to our community,” he said. “It also expresses hope for the future promise of everyone involved.”
Lucas said what some might not know is that the parade and its accompanying events are “self-supported” and rely on the generosity of the public to make it happen: “A thousand people contributing $5 will cover the expenses of the event, so we’re encouraging as many people as possible who have heard of the parade to click the button and make a donation.”
The Official 53rd Annual Parade Sponsors are: the City of New Haven/ Mayor Toni N. Harp; the New Haven Police Department; the New Haven Fire Department; the Yale Office Of New Haven & State Affairs; Yale-New Haven Hospital Cancer Screening Program; the New Haven Board Of Alders Black & Hispanic Caucus; the Women’s Entrepreneurial Network, New Haven; and 94.3 WYBC.
For more information, or to make a donation to the Freddie Fixer parade, visit this website or call 203 – 558-0066.
The 2015 schedule includes:
Friday, May 8
The Official Freddie Fixer Parade 2015 Kickoff Party
30 Plus Bar & Restaurant, 50 Fitch St.
10 p.m. until midnight
Donation: $10 in advance, $20 at the door (Your donation includes a free Freddie Fixer parade t‑shirt.)
Saturday, May 9
Annual Jazz Breakfast & Fundraiser
30 Plus Bar & Restaurant
50 Fitch St.
8 a.m. to noon
Donation: $10.00
Annual Drill Competition And Fundraiser
Amistad High School
580 Dixwell Ave.
noon to 4 p.m.
Donation: $5.00 Per Person
1st Annual Car & Bike Show
30 Plus Bar & Restaurant
50 Fitch St.
3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 10
53rd Annual Freddie Fixer Parade
Dixwell Avenue, Morse & Arch Streets, Hamden, Connecticut To Lake Place In New Haven, Connecticut.
1:30 p.m.
Admission: Free, but donations will be accepted at the grandstand.
Couldn't be lead by a nicer, more professional guy - Go Al Lucas!!!