Community Corner
Parade Marshal Named for this Year's Apple Harvest Festival
Long-time volunteer Lucy Leach will lead the opening parade proudly this September.
Lucy Leach won't admit it, but those who know her say she deserves every bit of her newly announced title: Grand Marshal of the 2011 Apple Harvest Festival Parade.
"I am so overwhelmed, I still can't believe it," Leach said. "I'm just very, very happy."
Apple Harvest Festival Committee Chairman Christopher Palmieri said the board unanimously chose Leach because she embodies the spirit of volunteerism the marshal status upholds.
Aside from serving as the festival's volunteer coordinator for decades, she also spends time volunteering with the Hospital of Central Connecticut in their special procedures unit, is a regular organizer of the high school's all-night graduation event, assists with the annual veterans picnic and was chairwoman of the Hospital of Central Connecticut golf tournament in New Britain.
"Lucy is very fitting to serve this year's grand marshal because the festival itself depends on all volunteers, and she's the person who works with them and schedules their shifts," Palmieri said. “She's done so much for the festival."
Known for her humility, Leach wouldn't say much about her new status, but admitted she loves working with people and giving back.
"Life is short, and if you can't help people, then it's not as good," Leach said. "I really enjoy doing what I do."
Apple Harvest Coordinator Jim Champagne said Leach may be humble, but her dedication and hard work have not gone unnoticed throughout the years.
"She's a remarkable lady," Champagne said. "She handles more than two hundred fifty people each season and calls them each herself, probably making six hundred phone calls to make it work."
Champagne said he's excited about this year's festival, which promises more children's activities, more food, an expanded parade and additional entertainment.
"It's going to be good," Champagne said. "We're going to have more of the things people like, like food, and we're not going to have just bands for entertainment, we're going to try and do some other kinds of things this time."
