Above: Grand Marshal Familia Diaz restaurant, founded in 1936, was represented by Sandi Diaz Tovias and Dan Diaz who flanked their father Tony whose parents started the cantina that continues to be a popular dining destination. Parade Coordinator Ron Merson presented a plaque to the honorees noting their contribution to labor by employing thousands of people over five generations of business as well as their community support.

Thousands ‘Honor the Labor Force’ at 11th Annual Labor Day Parade

September 09, 2015
Santa Paula News

There were hundreds of marchers and thousands of observers on hand to “Honor the Labor Force” at the 11th Annual Labor Day Parade where union groups, farm workers, clerks, kids, bands, school groups, floats, businesses, churches, horses and dancers jammed Main Street Monday.

The parade was a show of shows with Santa Paula aviators Bruce Dickenson, John Lynch, Jerry Deanda, Peter Cavalo, Don Kennedy, Brian Dickenson, USMC Major Douglas Pinkerton and David Watson staging a flyover of the parade route at the controls of various aircraft including one that had been piloted by the legendary Charles Lindbergh.

Santa Paula songbird Alyssa Grant sang the National Anthem and the “Wings of Grace” doves were released by Pepe Gonzalez

Judges were City Councilwoman Ginger Gherardi, Tomas Gonzales and Teresa Ruiz. Bob Allen and his www.KADYTV.com crew were on hand live-streaming the parade which will be archived online for viewing on demand.  

Peggy Kelly with Anita Gonzales assisting moderated the procession, one of the few such celebrations of labor held in the state; Ed Ramos of the City of Santa Paula handled sound for the event that drew thousands of parade watchers. 

With sirens blaring the parade started with Santa Paula Police patrol cars, Explorers van and the Dragoon leading the way for the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team Color Guard. More veterans followed waving to the applauding crowd riding in several vehicles holding members of the Mercer-Prieto Post 2043 including Commander Jerry Olivas and former Commander Albino Pineda. Korean War Veterans Association Ventura County Chapter 56 was also represented with members including Commander Dave Lopez.

It was all Cardinals all the time with the Santa Paula High School Marching Band accompanied by the Flag and Drill teams that played a lively tune for high-stepping.

Grand Marshal Familia Diaz restaurant, founded in 1936, was represented by Sandi Diaz and Dan Diaz who flanked their father Tony whose parents started the cantina that continues to be a popular dining destination. Parade Coordinator Ron Merson presented a plaque to the honorees noting their contribution to labor by employing thousands of people over five generations of business as well as their community support.

The Santa Paula Ministerial Association showed solidarity in beliefs and included Pastor Jenny Crosswhite, also a Santa Paula City Councilwoman.

La Cabaña Restaurant had a lively float entry with owner Gabie Reeves and family as well as long time staffers helping to celebrate the work force.

La “M” 103.7 FM Radio had on-air personalities waving to the crowd and speaking of crowds, The United Association of Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 484—a parade sponsor—had a large contingent of workers and their families noting contributions the union has made since it was founded in 1925.

Volkswagens Unlimited showed some bugs are a good thing with plenty of entries showing generations of the imported cars with various models, even a convertible. Santa Paula Pop Quiz: the first Volkswagen owner in California was Marshall Roath who lives here in town. 

The ever-popular Topa Topa Flywheelers had more than a dozen entries of the restored machinery used in agriculture in bygone days; founded in 1993 the club was named for the slang term for an antique stationary engine. The Flywheelers were on their way to the Ventura County Agricultural Museum for the 3rd Annual Vintage Tractor Fair and that included Bob Vogel who in this year’s parade kept his usual bevy of beautiful women to just one passenger, his wife Barbara.

Laborer’s Local Union 585, serving Ventura County since 1936 with skilled labor needs in the construction industry, had marchers changing slogans shouted out by dozens of present and former members as well as family along for the parade fun.

Vice Mayor Martin Hernandez walked the route in front of the Santa Paula Youth Pep Squad that entertained with moves better left to the very young and nimble—ages 5 to 14—that make-up the peppy group that cheers on the youth football league and competes off-season.

SEIU Local 721 featured former Mayor Dr. Gabino Aguirre and Vice Mayor Laura Flores Espinosa marching with the group that works in public service from cities to special districts and everything in between.

Santa Paula Unified School District showed their unification founded in 2013 with a strong turnout of Board Trustees, administrators, teachers and students—there are more than 5,500 K – 12th students—from each school.

Denny’s Restaurant is new in town and wanted to invite parade watchers to visit the eatery for a nice meal and breakfast all day.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley greeted constituents and offered remarks noting the salute to workers as well as the county ranking —and in turn Santa Paula’s—as one of the Top 10 places to live in the nation.

Society of St. Vincent de Paul St. Sebastian Council has been feeding the poor at the church since 1996 helping all in need. 

Many Meals, overseen by SPIRIT of Santa Paula also had several vehicles in the parade showing their own devotion to helping feed those in need. Kay Wilson-Bolton of SPIRIT and Many Meals had her three small dog friends riding in a wagon to save their delicate paws from the hot road. The MVP Kidz Van that houses programs that visit area parks was on hand showing the vehicle that takes it all over the city teaching kids about loving their neighbors and promoting peace in the city.

Brokaw Nursery, also a parade sponsor, had a huge turnout of workers some of whom have marched in every Labor Day procession! Family and friends also marched all wearing shirts noting “I Was Cloned at Brokaw Nursery” which grows avocado and lemon trees for county orchards.

Joseph Lathrop and his 1955 Ford F100 pickup was a big hit with car lovers in the crowd as was Studebaker, his dog rescued from SPARC; Lathrop also showed off a large painting by Edna Davis titled “Santa Paula Pickers.” 

El Pollo Loco is relatively new in town but wasn’t chicken to take part in the parade and invited all to visit for a quick healthy meal.

State Senator Hanna-Beth Jackson got a strong welcome from the crowd who have known her since she was the area’s Assemblywoman; Jackson offered words of praise for the American workforce.

Valley Express Bus, celebrating six months of service and 54,000 riders in the Heritage Valley, was showing off its comfortable shuttle.

Santa Paula Kiwanis Club members filled a vehicle and a trailer as they waved at the crowd and promised next year’s Citrus Festival will be bigger and better than ever.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Church concentrated on the future of the labor force and included Father Charles Lueras, a great favorite with the crowd that has enjoyed the church’s parade entries for a decade.

Charros de Santa Paula showed off their magnificent horses and riders wearing their finest for the parade where their dedication to the procession brought cheers as did Poder Popular which featured dozens of dancers in various costumes representing Mexican history with a bit of fun. 

Camarillo City Councilman Mike Morgan waved from an antique car as he was driven in the procession by Al and Olivia Escoto. 

Marcos y Los Cowboys was led by the 11-year-old roper whose tricks brought cheers from the crowd, as did the horses including a few lively dancers. All equestrian entries showed off their finest tack and costumes. 

Ventura County Agriculture Museum ended the parade urging all to follow them to the museum on Railroad Avenue for the 3rd Annual Vintage Tractor Fair.

Traditionally the parade is ended with Santa Paula Fire Engines and crews but they had to pull out to handle an emergency.

But, said Merson, “They cut back in at Mill Street,” for the ride to the Gazebo where parade winners were announced. 

Judges selected Ponder Popular as the liveliest winner, Our Lady of Guadalupe Church took top prize for Best Design and the army of Brokaw Nursery garnered the group the Best Use of Theme honor.

Merson said the weather was perfect with a breeze that kept the rising heat down until the procession ended.

And not only were those lining the streets enjoying themselves but also participants: “I noticed the group entries are getting larger and larger,” Merson noted, “so that means the parade is becoming the place to be on Labor Day!”

The parade is available to view on www.kadytv.com 

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul displaying a banner “No Work of Charity is foreign to the Society” made an appearance in the Labor Day Parade.





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