It marked the official end of summer and ushered in the new school year...'it' was Labor Day in East St. Louis, the hub of the Metro-East strong and proud UNION people. Labor Day morning thousands of foot-marchers representing endless numbers of trade unions met in the river city's downtown. At 10AM the paraders began weaving their way through that industrial city streets crossing the finish line at the huge-spacious Jones' Park.
Amidst the adult walkers were large construction trucks and equipment displayed to the delight of many thousand onlookers who had earlier staked out the better curb-side spots. American flags and union signs were plenty as were young children riding decorated bikes in the parade. Young and old alike scurried in competition to retrieve candy tossed from a plethora of autos carrying local politicians and dignitaries. Of course, at the rear end of the parade came the beautiful horses. Nobody seemed interested in retrieving their 'tossings.'
Around the midday hour hundreds and hundreds of family and neighborhood picnics began throughout the park; many near the lagoon where some loving couples would later sit on nearby benches or find a canoe ride. Those baseball fans could watch a game on the Jones' Park grandstand adorned Diamond #1. Throughout the late afternoon some would find amusement watching a skirmish or two between some drunks. Near night fall a few folks would make it a point to drive by the beautiful park water fountain with its flashing colorful lights as the headed home.
The last word of the day came from mother..."You boys get a bath now and get to bed...first day of school TOMORROW...and wear those new bluejeans." And those bluejeans were so damn stiff they were standing in the corner of my room.
(Touch)
Where did summer go?
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