This Monday, Labor Day September 4 will see the largest Labor Day parade in memory, Greater St. Louis Labor Council President Pat White announced today, inviting the public to bring their family, lawn chairs and sun visors to what will be an exciting, fun-filled two hours.
More than 5,000 marchers from 30 unions with miles of equipment, trucks, floats, marching bands, drill teams and other units will step off at 9 a.m. from 15th and Olive, go east to Tucker Blvd., south to Market and west on Market to the parade stand at 15th and Market where it will end. Following the parade numerous unions will have picnics in the park between Chestnut and Market.
Parade Marshalls are St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson and St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger. The parade’s theme, “Together We Win,” highlights and displays the skills and services union members in all walks of life provide as well as celebrating the importance of ALL working men and women who have indeed made, and continue to make, America great, White said.
Leading the parade will be several unions celebrating anniversaries, St. Louis Musicians Local 2-197 band and the Roosevelt High School Marine Corps Junior ROTC Color Guard. Also marching will be the United States Navy Great Lakes Band and six other St. Louis marching units from area high schools.
And there will be lots of candy for the kids being distributed from the many floats, trucks and cars and the thousands of union marchers. “Before it’s all over, there will be at least a ton of candy given out. The kids love it. It’s better than Halloween!” added White.
Spaced throughout the parade will be the electrifying Wichita Dynamic Steppers Drill Team and Drum Line from Wichita, Kansas, the Hazelwood Central Marching Band (sponsored by Electrical Workers Local 1), the McClure South High School Marching Band, the Spirits of New Northside Drill Team (from the Northside Family Life Center), the St. Louis Marching Cobras and Musicians Local 2-197.
PRIOR TO THE ST. LOUIS PARADE
Preceding the parade will be a three-stage “Save the Wage” Rally:
- 6 a.m. protest at the McDonald’s on 1119 N. Tucker to protest cutting back the current $10 an hour wage to $7.65 more than 30,000 workers;
- 7 a.m. – march from McDonalds to a public rally.
- 8 a.m.- rally at 18th and Olive to urge more St. Louis’ businesses to maintain the $10 an hour wage that been already agreed to by over 100 firms.
ILLINOIS EVENTS
Additionally, there will be Labor Day parades and festivities in:
- Granite City – Parade will begin at 10 a.m. downtown and proceed one mile north to Wilson Park for a picnic with live music, speeches, food, refreshments and kids’ activities.
- Belleville – Parade will step off at 10 a.m. in the fourth block of South 1st Street, ending at Hough Park with the annual picnic, where the first $500 worth of rides will be free. Music, drinks and food will be available.
