Around 50-60 cars participated in the car parade that took place in Hartford this past Saturday.  Community members waved to the ongoing cars from the streets, on their porches, and within their homes. (Photo/Jamboree Days Facebook)

Melissa Voss | Editor

With the cancellation of Jamboree Days announced earlier this month, the Jamboree Days committee came up with an alternative way for members of the Hartford community to come together.  

On Saturday, June 20, the city of Hartford held a car parade that ran through the town, allowing visitors and community members alike to enjoy the festivities.

Leah Johnson, president of the Jamboree Days committee, states that the decision to hold the car parade came after the Jamboree Days cancellation, mostly with the focus on the general public’s health.

“When we had our meeting regarding the cancellation, with everything that happened with COVID, the concern for us was, and always has been, keep Hartford and our community safe.   All knowing we did not want to jeopardize anyone’s health or safety,” Johnsons said.

However, the committee still wanted to do something for the community while upholding social distancing.  With that came the idea for the car parade that was inspired by the teachers parade that West Central held this past spring.

“We saw what the teachers did with their car parade toward the end of the school year and we were uplifted by the amount of the support the community brought together for teachers.  And we believed we could do a similar gesture for the community on the same weekend.”

Overall, around 50 to 60 cars participated in the parade.  Although Johnson did not have any expectations for the event, she believed that the parade was a success with the immense amount of community support from citizens and businesses.

“We did not know if we would get two cars or twenty.  We received an extreme outpouring from our community, not only from business but average people standing outside, waving, and knowing that we are here for everybody.”