“We would not have been able to put the parade on without them,” said Wright, who noted that city support was also invaluable. “When we presented the idea for the parade to Wally Bobkiewicz,” the city manager and staff provided “extraordinary” help to help stage the event.“I think the parade did great and it was good to see different people” from those who usually take part in such events, said Ron Merson.Parade Judges Joanne Guilin, Downtown Merchants Association President Esther Marquez and Connie Tushla presented the trophies to the parade winners during the Gazebo celebration that featured Gale Graham and Raspberry Jam. Winning top prizes were: Most Animated, Asociacion de Charros Nochistlense of Santa Paula; Most Participants, Southern California Laborers Local 1585; Best Use of Theme, Classified School Employees, District Labor Council SEIU 727; Most Original, Progressive Land Management.
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The Asociacion de Charros la Nochhistlense of Santa Paula brought a float with a youth mariachi band and beautiful senoritas in folklorico costumes to the Labor Day Parade. The colorful float preceded the charros on horseback. More photos Page B3 Photos by Don Johnson |
Labor Day Parade
September 09, 2005
SP’s first-ever Labor Day Parade brings out workers and watchers
Santa Paula News
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula TimesSanta Paula’s first-ever Labor Day Parade brought out workers and watchers who cheered on laborers, unions, horsemen and bands during Saturday’s event that stepped out on Main Street and ended at the Railroad Plaza Gazebo. Unlike other parades, the Labor Day march had workers dressed to reflect their jobs or to show unity with matching T-shirts as they shouted slogans reflecting the strong history of labor in America.Led by the Mercer-Prieto VFW Post 2043 Color Guard, participants included Grand Marshal Jess Victoria, Mayor Mary Ann Krause, Vice Mayor Rick Cook and City Councilmen Gabino Aguirre (who marched with teachers), Ray Luna (driving his bright yellow 1971 Corvette) and John Procter. The Santa Paula Union High School Band, Cardinal Cheerleaders and the Santa Paula Ministerial Association were joined by Santa Paula police and firefighters who let their sirens blow, to the delight of the crowd enjoying perfect weather as well as the show.Santa Paula Federation of Teachers Local 2071 from the elementary school district, the United Association of Plumbers & Steam Fitters Local 484, Classified School Employees, District Labor Council SEIU 727, Southern California Laborers Local 1585 and American Postal Workers Channel Islands marched and at times chanted slogans The Asociacion de Charros Nochistlense of Santa Paula followed in the tradition of some the oldest professions, Mexican cowboys, accompanied by a mariachi band. Progressive Land Management’s entry included old farming equipment and workers, also featured by Heritage Valley Harvesting. The Christian News Connection supplied newspapers to the crowd, Blanchard Community Library workers walked and rode, Oxnard Family Circle took part in their first local parade, and the Santa Paula California Oil Museum’s vintage 1922 oil tanker truck - as always - wowed the parade-watchers.“We’re thrilled that so many took part,” said Joanne Wright, who organized the parade with Dr. Dora Crouch, Anita Pulido and Audrey Vincent. Wright noted that Ron Merson - the longtime organizer of the annual Optimist Club Christmas Parade - and his wife Pam had greatly helped the novices in staging the salute to labor.
