NORTHFIELD, Vt. -
Strike up the band. It's Labor Day in Northfield.
This central Vermont town has sponsored a parade every labor day for the past 35 years. Charlene McCarney is this year's grand marshall. "I had to judge the car show. I had to judge the salsa, then I had to pick out the best tractor. I know the duties are many," she said.
But last year this parade did not happen. It was not so much canceled, but rather put on hold, thanks to Tropical Storm Irene. It may seem Ironic that the theme to this year's parade is Under the Sea, but there is a very good reason for that. "That was our theme in 2011 and I was supposed to be the Grand Marshall in 2011 and they said no, we are going to postpone that, because so many people had planned their floats, so they came back this year with them." McCarney said.
"It was the theme for last year and we were a little upset about it actually -- Under the Sea," said Marguerite Moore, the organizer of the weekend of celebration. "But we decided to keep it for this year and do an extra button in commemoration for Irene and the floats are commemorative of our theme and every dollar that we sell in the buttons is going back to flood relief for Northfield."
Moore says the vendors and entertainers were good sports and said despite the last minute cancellation, they would be happy to come back this year.
Thousands flocked to see the parade and all its spectacle -- even Santa.
If there was ever any lingering doubt, the Northfield Labor Day parade is back.
"We needed a shot in the arm from last year, so we are happy it's been a good crowd," Moore said.
There is a committee of ten people that will start planning immediately for next year's Labor Day weekend celebration.
