That end of summer event - the local Labor Day Parade.
Did you watch or march in one? My family and I are marching veterans (this is our third this summer) and were thinking of joining the one in my hometown. We have a large one every year as part of our annual festival. People pack every inch along it's path and have their own traditions. My best friend's childhood home is toward the end on a prime corner. Each year friends and family come for the annual BBQ and watch the parade in prime seats. Yes the Democrats were to be there in force and supporting the local races and Obama.
But this year we celebrated it in Toronto, Canada.
New to Canada I was surprised to learn that they celebrate this holiday and on the same day. Some consider Toronto the birth place of Labour Day. 1872 found workers in the streets of Toronto demonstrating and asking for the release of a group that striked in order to have a 9 hour work day. Today it is a large march with activists and unions that ends at the CNE (Canadian National Exhibition) where parade participants get in free (nice touch).
Before we made THE Big Move I found out that the local chapter of the Democrats Abroad organization was going to march in the parade! After discussing it with my husband we signed up the whole family. So in the midst of deciding what to store and pack for THE Big Move I eyed my Obama gear- Signs, shirts, buttons and settled on my beloved "O" sign. This round sign has lots of miles. I got this while doing GOTV the week leading up to the Iowa caucus. Someone in the office I worked at, Washington Iowa, had one from the previous Harkin Steak Fry.
Day of the parade was one of "those" days. We got up late (as you can see from timestamps I am an night owl). How can you lose two kids teeshirts in a small apartment? I was frantic. I ordered these earlier in the summer just for parades and they had not yet been worn! Relieved when I found them in a bin of clothes... for the fall... of all places. Scrambled to get a diaper bag assembled with snacks, games, extra water, and sunscreen. Where are we meeting and how do we get there? We knew we could not drive but then we do not know the public transit system (they have it all here- trains, subway, streetcars, ferries, and buses). Could not find an address to the CNE for our return trip despite spending at least 30 minutes with mapquest and google. Was I nuts to wing the return with a toddler who normally would nap at that time? AND we were running late.
Finally we got out the door and to the subway- our daughters first experience.
Stairs everywhere and we had a cart and a stroller. We had to cover the rules of behavior. I was worried about one not making it on with the rest of the family. As Thomas and Friends fans they did not quite understand this train in a tunnel that never gets out. When we get out and up on the street I cannot tell what was north etc. After asking a passerby, we finally get over to our group.
It numbers around 22 and most are middle to upper aged. Will is there holding the Obama 08 banner.
I finally meet Adrienne Jones, the chair of Democrats Abroad- Canada. This lucky lady had been in Denver for the convention and is handing out fliers for us to distribute on the route. I spy someone holding an official Obama/Biden sign! And a little later another Mom, Linette, joins us with her little one in a stroller and older in tow. Adrienne has a few signs to tape to it. The oldest is sporting a CHANGE sign that I have not seen before.
With little time to spare we take some pictures and start marching.
My little one has a sign in her lap while in the stroller. She does a fantastic job holding onto it for at least 4/5 of the parade. My older one- well she changes her mind on which one to hold. At one point Daddy has to carry her. I have my "O" sign.
The music from a float ahead is enjoyable but loud. Another group behind us does some chanting. We make an attempt at playing some music but no cheers. I doubt anyone would hear us.
The route is sparsely watched in parts, we are at the end.. But that makes us stand out even more. There is a sea of purple shirts and yellow shirts in the groups not far from us. I pass out some stickers I brought with me. Some of our group fans out to pass fliers, Linette's daughter as well. It was adorable.
Was it a success? I did not hear many complaints in the crowd. There were parade watchers that ran up to us asking for information. Others asked to take their picture with our many signs.
At the end, outside the gates of the CNE,
we come across many from the unions. And we meet a few ladies with the purple shirts we saw from afar- SEIU!
For those of us that have followed this campaign - it was kismet. Obama has been a supporter of SEIU from his earliest days in Chicago as an organizer, last summer he spent a day with a homehealth union worker and they endorsed him. If you ever wanted to hear Obama- the preacher- at his best check out this speech at one of their conferences last fall.. this one gives me chills. She picked this shirt up at their convention and wore it for this Labour Day.
It was a great day! Obama is well liked and we reached a number of people. People that hopefully went home and requested their absentee ballot or told their friends and family guess what Obama supporters are even here!
No matter who you are
or
where you are
you can be the change.
Mid America Mom
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