Santa Paula 2015 Labor Day Celebration

By Sheryl Hamlin

The 2015 Labor Day Celebration started early as the parade entrants queued up near Main Street in Santa Paula, while spectators placed seats along the street. The 2015 Labor Day parade lasted about an hour with nearly forty entrants: Color Guard from the 187^th Airborne Regimental Combat Team, Mercer-Prieto VFW Post 2043, Korean War Veterans Chapter 56, Santa Paula High School Marching Band, Grand Marshal Familia Diaz, Fred Robinson, Santa Paula Ministerial Association, La Cabana Restaurant, La M 103.7 FM Radio, The United Association of Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 484, Volkswagens Unlimited, Topa Topa Flywheelers, Laborers Local Union 585, Vice Mayor Martin Hernandez, Santa Paula Youth Pep Squad, SEIU Local 721, Santa Paula Unified School District, Congresswoman Julia Brownley, St. Vincent de Paul, Brokaw Nursery, Joseph Lathrop and his 1955 Ford F100 pickup, El Pollo Loco, Ventura County Wolfpack, Magic Touch Car Club, State Senator Hanna-Beth Jackson, Valley Express Bus, Ventura County Model A Ford Club, Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, Charros de Santa Paula, Poder Popular, Recology, Marcos Y Los Cowboys, Ventura County Agriculture Museum with the Santa Paula Fire Department closing the parade.

After the Santa Paula Police officially declared the parade open and the National Anthem was sung by Alyssa Grant, the parade began with judging by Ginger Gherardi, Tomas Gonzales and Teresa Ruiz. Riding in a vintage bronze convertible, the Familia Diaz Restaurant family was honored as the 2015 Grand Marshal. Earlier this year, this favorite local restaurant announced its retirement, after a long career in business.

Grand Marshall

Youth were well-represented with the Santa Paula High School Band and the Santa Paula Youth Pep Squad.

Pep Squad

Santa Paula High School Band

Veterans from the Mercer-Prieto VFW waved to many friends in the crowd.

Veterans—Mercer Prieta

A large contingent from LIUNA 585 chanted as they marched.

Liuna 585

The colorful costumes of Los Chinelos and the Charros with the prancing horses and the deft roping display brought roars from the crowd. One of the traditionally dressed equestrians brought his horse to the side for an admiring crowd.

Chinelos

Caballeros

La Cabana Restaurant made good use of color and shade it its festive entry.

La Cabana Restaurant

A phalanx of tractors from the Topa Topa Flywheelers, the antique gas engine and tractor club, provided a preview of the Vintage Tractor Fair starting immediately after the parade at the Ventura County Agriculture Museum. And the Ag Museum put its own horse in the parade!

Hundreds of people enjoyed music, food trucks, a petting zoo, tricycle racing, vintage tractors, dancing, a pie eating contest, museum exhibitions and great weather at the 2015 Vintage Tractor Fair. Tables inside the museum and outside were full of families and friends eating and visiting.

This 1/3 scale model steam engine making 1/3 sized bales of hay was on display on Railroad Avenue along with dozens of other tractors. Shown below are two John Deere tractors from different eras.

Model Steam Engine

John Deere

Vintage John Deere

The Ag Museum features many educational and festive events during the year. To join their mailing list, click here so you will never miss an event.

Photo Credits: Sheryl Hamlin

=================================================