3

NEWS

Northfield celebrates 30th annual Labor Day celebration

By Matthew C. Poitras
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

Norwich University Corps of Cadets march through Northfield, Vt, during the 30th annual Labor day parade on Monday, Sept. 6, 2004. The cadets are a highlight of the parade. (Chujko photo)

Northfield’s 30th annual Labor Day celebration, the largest in Central Vermont, drew over 10,000 people to the small town’s big blowout, according to a Northfield town official. Bill Lyon, Northfield’s staff historian, estimated 10,000 people were in town just for the parade.

“All of South Main Street was pretty well packed on both sides; so was the whole common area,” Lyon said.

Two of those in attendance were Scott Lovelette of Montpelier and his son, David, who is almost two years old. Lovelette grew up in Montpelier and has been coming to the parade since 1976.

“My dad taught at Norwich, so we’d come here all the time when I was growing up,” Lovette said. “It really does look the same.”

That sameness is part of the tradition of the Labor Day celebration. While new activities are added to the celebration, there are always some events that people come to expect.

One of these is the duck race, now in its 14th year. By sponsoring a rubber duck for five dollars, people had a chance to win one of over 60 prizes, and help support the Northfield Senior Center and fire department.

“The Rubber Ducks are released into the Dog River, and whose duck crosses the finish line first wins the grand prize of $1,000,” said Barbra Brayton, director of the Senior Center. “We sold a little over 1,300 tickets, and we split the money with the fire department.” Another event that Lyon cites as a “tradition” is the Fire Department lawn sale, which also raises money for the organization. These activities help “the nonprofits and town raise money,” which is good for Northfield, Lyon said.

Of course, there are other activities that are not fund raisers. The stage on the village common is the site a variety of entertainment over the weekend.

Marko the Magician had a magic show on Saturday and dazzled the crowd with his hypnotizing act on Sunday.

Other performances were the Birds of Prey demonstrations by the Vermont Institute for Natural Science, a comedy and juggling act, a BMX stunt show by the Northeast Trick Stars and a demonstration by the Norwich University Rifle Drill Team.

The soundtrack to the weekend was provided by a variety of live musical groups whose tunes could be heard over the orders for hand-cut French fries and fried dough.

People danced in the street Saturday night to the music of Mirage, and on Sunday night another crowd boogied down with the group “Broken Arrow.” “The Surface Dwellers,” a classic rock group from North Montpelier, played classic hits from the 1960s thorough the 1980s on Sunday afternoon. They were followed by the country music sounds of “Sherri’s Jubilee.” “The Woods Tea Company” wrapped up the celebration with a Monday afternoon performance. With their brand of Irish and American folk songs, Rusty Jacobs, one of the singer/multiinstrumentalists of the group, said beforehand that if the crowd wanted “sing-a-longs and dancing” their group would be “happy to oblige.”

“We did this three or four years ago,” Jacobs said. “It’s a good time.”

Indeed, Northfield’s Labor Day celebration is just that, Lyon said. “It’s a good opportunity to get to see people you only see once a year, and it’s just kind of a nice thing.”

The Norwich Guidon is a twice-monthly student newspaper distributed at Norwich University. It provides laboratory experience for students in the Communications program. Claims asserted by letter writers, editorials and other articles do not represent the positions of Norwich University. The Norwich Guidon welcomes signed letters to the editor. They should be no longer than 300 words. Unsigned letters will not be printed, but names may be withheld upon worthy request. All letters are subject to editing for length and good taste. Mailing address: The Norwich Guidon, Communications Center, Norwich University, 158 Harmon Dr, Northfield, VT 05663. www.norwich.edu/guidon.