‘We love a Labor Day parade.?
As Jim Tedder, Clarkston Rotarian and parade disc jockey, made this announcement, residents grabbed lawn chairs and sunglasses as they made themselves comfortable for the 2004 Labor Day parade.
Close to 50 entries took their turns parading down Main Street in the event hosted by the Clarkston Rotary. Warm weather, together with a cool breeze and sunny skies, drew crowds that filled the entire parade route.
‘I think it went over very, very well,? John Halleran, Rotary president, said. ‘The biggest thing you can’t control is the weather and we were lucky.?
In addition to overseeing this year’s parade duties, Halleran served as the official ‘pooper scooper? for the parades horses with Clarkston resident Luc Poirier.
Keeping with tradition, Clarkston’s American Legion Post XX lead the parade down Main Street with Vietnam veterans right behind them.
The almost hour-long parade featured everything from scouting troops to local businesses and even political candidates, proving there was something for everyone.
‘We came to see two of granddaughters with their dance team and two other granddaughters with the cheerleaders,? Sandra Henderson said.
Serving as Grand Marshall this year was Independence Township Clerk Joan McCrary, who was joined by members of her family in her parade convertible. Adorned in a patriotic baseball cap covered in sequins, McCrary was chosen for the honor after 16 years as clerk for the township.
Although the Rotary does not take an official count of people in attendance at the parade, Halleran was pleased with the large turnout.
‘It’s kind of an eyeball type of thing,? Halleran said. ‘It looked like a lot of people were there.?
Taking first place for ‘best float? was Truck Town Thunder, with district court candidate Ruth Johnson receiving ‘best theme? for her patriotic entry, complete with an old-fashioned school setting driven by Dr. James O’Neill.
The winning entries were selected by a group of volunteer judges the morning of the parade.
‘They do a good job,? Halleran said. ‘They’re out there in golf carts at 8 a.m. looking around.?
Halleran believed many people were drawn to the holiday event because of the pleasant weather conditions. Pat Hummel brought granddaughter Paige out for a morning of Labor Day fun.
‘We’re here just to be outside,? Hummel said.
Immediately after the parade’s conclusion, Halleran began receiving positive feedback for this year’s event.
‘We’ve gotten a lot of positive comments. Some people said it wasn’t long enough,? Halleran joked of the well-received parade.