As you probably know, the Labor Day holiday was first celebrated in the late 1800s as an occasion to salute the working class and hold a parade. In Chapin, we take that time honored tradition to heart. Especially the parade part.
And, as The State newspaper suggests, being in the Chapin Labor Day parade won’t guarantee you a political victory in South Carolina, but history proves it definitely doesn’t hurt. Past political parade participants include former U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond (he rarely missed this parade), President George W. Bush, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, Gov. Mark Sanford, and former Govs. Jim Hodges, David Beasley and Carroll Campbell.
Today's parade did not disappoint. As of the 2000 census, the Town Limits of Chapin contain a population of 624. Today's parade had over 10,000 spectators. And what a show they saw. Being an election year, the parade brought out everybody from county council and school board members to Represenatives, Senators, Congressman, and the Governor. We had floats from our Dixie Youth Baseball Allstars to the Chapin Baptist Children's Ministry, from the local BBQ joints to BiLo grocery, from the CHS marching band to the local cloggers.
We had the perennial crowd favorite Jamil Temple riders on their little gocarts doing figure eights like no 75 year old you've ever seen before...
We had the local square dancers club...
...and the parade regular firefighters, whose truck broke down and had to get pushed a few hundred yards before they jumped it off again. A vote of confidence for my homeowner's fire insurance...
We even had a float with some cows on it.
Sorry, that was actually a picture of a new addition to the parade this year, Chapin's fine "Desert Jewels". Apparently they are a local belly dancing club/organization, which, as my uncle noted, makes perfect sense, seeing as all the women had a lot of belly to dance with. Apparently they'd been hanging out too much on the Hardee's float in front of them. Shleigh, Paige and Tricia, with those belly dancing videos you had in college you may have a spot in next year's parade lineup.
Here's the cow.
All said it was a great use of our morning. If you ever wanna see some $100,000 tractors, or a host of utility trailers turned floats, the Labor Day parade is the place for you. If its got wheels or moves, we've got a spot for you. There were even several seniors on their electric wheelchairs (though whether they were official parade entrants is debatable).
Chapin: Capital of Lake Murray. Ya'll come visit now, hear?
5 comments:
Dood, I see that you clearly have enough time on your hands to come visit me.
Ok Mr. Marduk. Here's the skinny. The Chapin Labor Day Parade is not a waist of time. Actually it's a great investment! An investment in family, friends, and a way life that is being forgotten more and more by the world today. The way of life that says HEY! TAKE SOME TIME TO Slooowww down and enjoy life. Catch your breath and take note of whats around you. But be careful...you just might enjoy it!
Jordan makes a good point. Perhaps his wisdom is highly informed by his current stint in New York City. In Marduk's defense, I would wager that anyone who hails from Apex, North Carolina knows the meaning of slowing down and enjoying life.
I will come visit. Although I though you had left for Oxford? When's Leah coming?
hey goober... who are you to let everyone know our secret talents?? we try to keep the skills quiet so we are not overwhelmed with requests for performances.
Uber Goober,
Oops, sorry.
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