Hamden residents participated in a “Thank You Tour” vehicle parade to recognize and thank essential workers on Thursday.

The parade was sponsored by the town of Hamden and featured Hamden’s fire and police departments. Also in the parade were the Connecticut National Guard, American Medical Response, Nelson Ambulance, Hamden Volunteer Fire Department, Hamden CERT, and K&J Tree Services.

According to the Hamden Police Department, the focus of the parade was saluting essential workers with an emphasis on grocery workers in the community. The parade passed by several locations, mostly grocery stores, and supermarkets, including Aldi Grocery Store, Walmart, and Stop & Shop. Hamden police said that Hamden’s essential workers are heroes and that they “could not be more thankful and appreciative of their efforts.”

As the annual Memorial Day Parade was canceled due to the ongoing pandemic, the parade-goers also took the time to honor Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

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