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Santa Paula holiday event 'more than just a parade'
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More from Local NewsSanta Paula's Labor Day Parade will be a double event featuring a Cuban band and dancing in the streets.
The event is the only one of its kind in the county, parade officials said.
"This year is turning into more than just a parade," said co-chairwoman Audrey Vincent. "It's more of a Labor Day celebration."
The third annual Labor Day Parade starts at 10 a.m. Monday on Main Street. The procession will include teachers unions, farmers, hospital workers and more. Among the parade's many sponsors are Limoneira, the city of Santa Paula and Aguilar Brothers.
This year's grand marshal is the Logsdon family, restaurateurs in the city.
"Their employees generally stay with them for years, becoming like a family, I'm told," Vincent said. "Not many businesses these days have that kind of relationship with their staffs."
More than 3,000 people attended last year, and co-chairman Peter Wright said he expects even more this year.
He is overseeing the event in place of his wife, Joanne Wright, who was the original chairwoman for the parade and was instrumental in bringing it to the city in 2005. She was diagnosed with cancer in May and is undergoing treatment.
"What she values is bringing people together, and that's what the Labor Day Parade is intended to do," Vincent said. "Joanne is a community builder, and the parade is her contribution to that effort."
Peter Wright said she still has a lot of input and ideas about the day's events.
"She's very committed to the idea," Vincent said. "I think it's hard for her not to be involved this year."
After the event, an awards ceremony will be held, with trophies given to participants at the gazebo at Santa Barbara and Mill streets.
The Orquesta Charangoa, a Los Angeles-based music group, will perform Cuban-style music at the gazebo around 2 p.m., when spectators are invited to dance in the streets, officials said.
Cold drinks, hot dogs and tacos will be sold, and the public is encouraged to take along a picnic lunch.
"It's important honoring people that are not seen that much or not given a spotlight," Vincent said.
For more information, call 525-2873 or 525-5826.
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