It will be another Labor Day doubleheader of parades in Vermilion County this coming Monday. Danville’s parade begins at 9:30 AM at North Vermilion and Davis, and will head south to Main Street. Parade coordinator Connie Ostrander says the police, sheriff’s department, and firefighter first responders will lead the way, followed by a load of participants.
Audio PlayerAUDIO: We are sponsored by organized labor within Vermilion County. Parade Marshall this year is Mike Arbuckle, he is the previous business agent for IBEW Local 538. Of course there will be a lot of politicians: we have the mayor, the Republican and Democrat parties; anybody running for office will be in our parade. The Danville High School Junior ROTC; the Marching Vikings.
And that’s only the beginning. They’ll have everyone from youth football teams to Red Mask Youth Theater; and horses, beauty queens, and Captain America will be there. Just remember that Vermilion will close at 8 AM at Fairchild; and the staging will take place prior to the 9:30 start between Fairchild and Davis; as an over 80-year tradition continues.
After that, Westville’s Labor Day Parade takes the stage. Father Sauppe has been with the St. Mary’s church for 15 years, and this year Honorary Marshall of the Labor Day Parade, with their tradition at 100-plus years. He says, with each generation, there’s more to keep it going strong.
Audio PlayerAUDIO: Absolutely. Of course we have our roots in the mining industry in this town, and that’s how the connection with the unions came in. But it’s also a great family related weekend. A lot of homecoming; people coming back, and they come out for the parade and the other events going on in town.
Westville’s parade steps off at 11:30, staging begins at 10:30, and Route 1 will be closed starting at 11.
