Rain Can't Stop a Tradition

The children at Bethany Nursery Group love being outside in all kinds of weather, so it’s not surprising that even the rain that fell on Bethany’s Memorial Day Parade last Monday did not keep many of the BNG students from riding on the school’s float.  Instead of the sunscreen, water bottles and tee shirts that were expected, the children came ready for fun with rain coats, hats, umbrellas and towels.  Isn’t that how memories are made?
Bethany Nursery Group has had a float in the parade for over 20 years. The original float was simple- a trailer, balloons and children.  Now parent volunteers spend hours designing, painting and assembling the float, with students always making something to be a part of the finished product. It is a true ‘group effort’.  Over the years, the BNG float has had many different looks.  It has often featured favorite characters: Pooh, Barney and Mickey Mouse, but just as often the inspiration comes from children’s books.  This year it was Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. While students shook ‘coconuts’, the letters of the alphabet raced up a coconut tree.
Two years ago, the float celebrated the 50th anniversary of Bethany Nursery Group with a replica school house and life size cake.  Established in 1959, BNG is a parent cooperative which has been providing quality preschool for children in Bethany, Woodbridge, Beacon Falls and many other surrounding towns.
Whatever the theme, the children look forward to being a part of the parade and no one wanted to disappoint them on Monday… so even in the rain, BNG marched on!