It’ll take place in the Park City but the 109th Columbus Day parade on Oct. 8 will be led by longtime Shelton Mayor Mark Lauretti. This is not the first time Lauretti, destined for a 14th term as Shelton’s mayor come November since no one is running against him, has head events here.

In 2008 he served as the Barnum Festival Ringmaster and marches in the Barnum Festival parade every year. The former Ohio University basketball player taught science and coached hoops at Central High School from 1982-1991. “This is one of the oldest parades in the country and that’s a tradition people want to have preserved,” he said. “Whenever I do the Barnum Festival or the Columbus Day Parade I notice how the residents come out to support and show their appreciation.”