The 49th annual Torchlight Christmas Parade will march through Old Saybrook on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 6 p.m., regardless of the weather conditions. The parade starts on Coulter Street, turns onto Main Street, and proceeds down to the Town Green between the Town Hall and the Fire Department.

Every December in early America, the village militia would muster, and march down to the village common (town green) with their fifes and drums, carrying their torches and lanterns. Upon hearing the fifes on drums, local townspeople would rush out of their homes or from the fields carrying torches and lanterns and would follow the militia and fifes and drums to the village commons. Old Saybrook’s Christmas parade celebration is believed to be the only one of its type to be held in the United States.

This year’s parade will feature more than 25 fife and drum corps, a variety of Christmas floats, two bagpipe bands, and many other marching units. Leading the parade for the 49th time is the 5th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, which dates back to the Civil War. Old Saybrook town officials will follow the regiment dressed in period costume.

For the 34th time, the 2nd Connecticut Governor’s Foot Guard will also march and perform field musicc. First and second place plaques will be awarded to the fife and drum corps participating in the parade with the most unique theme, rather than wearing ancient uniforms. Awards will also be given for authentic uniform, the best pipes and drum, and best Christmas float.

Alumni of the Colonial Saybrook Fifes & Drums sponsor this event, and for the 32nd year, the Old Saybrook Rotary Club is assisting by coordinating the customary refreshments provided for marchers and the general public. The refreshments are donated by a number of friends of the event, as well as some local merchants.

The public is encouraged to bring lighted torches, flashlights, and/or lanterns to hold while the parade is passing. As the last unit passes, the public is invited to march behind the last unit to the Town Green for hot cocoa and light refreshments.

Volunteers are needed to carry torches in the parade. Anyone interested is requested to report to the parade start up area, located near Liberty Bank at the intersection of Main and Coulter streets, at 5:45 p.m. For more information, call 860-399-9767.