Dave Palmer, who for years worked behind the scenes to organize Westport's Fourth of July parade, will take center stage as Grand Marshal when the procession steps out onto Main Street at 10 a.m. this coming Tuesday, July 4.

"He's not happy about it but I'm not giving him a choice," joked Caitlin True Fay, who has overseen the parade planning for the Westport 4th of July Committee this year following Palmer's departure from the post. "He has done such a good job."

Palmer was head of the parade committee for 11 years before deciding to step away last year, saying he got involved and took over the parade's planning from the Westport Fire Department out of his love for the century-old tradition. What he thought would be a three-year commitment turned into 10, then 11.

This year, True said, the parade promises to be another big event, and will run from Central Village north to the old high school. Floats, cars, marchers and others are asked to line-up and sign in starting at 8 a.m., and road closures begin at 9 a.m. As always, there will be plenty of candy thrown along the route, and ribbons will be handed out to winners in the antique cars, tractors and float categories.