THE FOLLOWING IS A NEWS-GAZETTE STORY BY JENNIFER BAILEY
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DANVILLE — Former Quaker Oats employee Nicole Randle has fond memories of participating in the Danville Labor Day Parade annually, with kids along the route clamoring to be thrown granola bars.
“They loved it,” Randle said.
This year, however, will be bittersweet for Randle.
She still will be participating in the parade, but as a former Quaker employee — due to the plant’s closure in June.
Members of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union Local 327 Quaker Oats are serving as the grand marshals of this year’s parade.
Parade Coordinator Connie Ostrander says, “Quaker Oats has been a cornerstone of our community. With the recent closure of our Quaker Oats plant, we wish to honor our brothers and sisters from BCTGM 347. Thanking them for all the years of dedication and being a strong workforce in our community.”
Randle said she’s not sure how many of her fellow former employees will be joining her in the parade.
Randle, who worked for Quaker Oats for 19 years, is currently going back to school, taking Certified Medical Assistant classes through Vermilion County Works and the American Job Center, and working part-time at Heavenly Square Grocery.
She said she’s “still unsure” what she wants to do next. The fact that the Danville native has a child is a big factor in her decision-making.
“I’m just starting all over and trying to decide eventually what to do permanently,” Randle said. “It’s a drastic change.”
The Vermilion County Federation of Labor AFL-CIO again is sponsoring the annual Danville Labor Day Parade on behalf of organized labor.
The parade will step off at 9:30 a.m. Monday at Williams and Vermilion streets. The route goes south to end at Main and Vermilion streets.
Highlights of the parade will include: Illini Jeep crew, youth organizations, beauty queens, several businesses, churches, youth groups, a return visit by Captain America, Krazy Karts and Danville Chapter of AMBUCS.
Volunteers who can assist with staging and line up of participants can report to North Vermilion Street by Rawhide Meat Co. shortly before 8 a.m. for assignments.
Ostrander said she’s looking forward to seeing everyone at the annual event.
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