Connecticut's biggest Labor Day tradition was back for a 63rd year, with Newtown hosting its annual Labor Day parade.

While the parade officially started at 10 a.m., families lined the streets hours ahead of time, with kids fueled by candy, and adults fueled by soda, or for a few, something stronger.

"The whole community comes out to celebrate Labor Day and to see their friends," said Connie Widmann, who lives in town. "It's one day you can just have fun all day long."

The day might have been a mix of both fun and stress for Nicole Kullgren, who was overseeing things in her very first year as Parade Committee President.

"It's been a big responsibility - a lot of moving parts, a lot of details, a lot of things we learned along the way," Kullgren said.

Born and raised in Newtown, Kullgren has been coming to the parade her entire life, and now gets to help carry on the tradition.

"We definitely didn't want to rock the boat too much this year," she said. "We added a little bit but it's a beautiful parade, it's always been, we don't want to change too much."

People did seem to enjoy her first theme, "Pets on Parade" - chosen to honor this year's grand marshal, Carolee Mason, who recently retired after 20 years as Newtown's animal control officer.

"There's a lot of animal lovers in Newtown, and that's why I was able to do my job so well," said Mason.

"Everybody loves that theme, we love our pets. it was definitely a fan favorite," Kullgren added.

Kullgren tells News 12 she is already thinking about next year - including new acts, and ways to streamline the way people sign up.