Historic Labor Day parade resumes, drawing candidates new and old, near and far

A historic parade returned from a year’s hiatus this Labor Day, drawing political candidates from as far away as Cincinnati and as far back as 1997 for elections as far ahead as 14 months.

Former Cleveland Mayor Michael White returned from his Newcomerstown alpaca farm and winery to march today beside his endorsed mayoral candidate, Justin Bibb, in the 11th Congressional District Caucus Labor Day Parade and Festival.

“I can’t just sit and watch,” said White, strolling down Kinsman Avenue to Luke Easter Park in mild, sunny weather. “Politics are not a sideline sport.”

The 2021 parade drew far fewer spectators than usual. Past crowds were estimated at up to 40,000. This year’s parade consisted primarily of participants, a few dozen groups. With COVID-19 still a real threat, organizers had cleared the event to proceed only a month beforehand.

Last year, the pandemic sidelined what would have been the festival’s 50th edition. The event showcased what’s believed to have been the nation’s first congressional district caucus. It drew performers like comedian Dick Gregory, many local politicians, and some national figures including Walter Mondale, John Kerry, and Hillary Clinton. Jesse Jackson told locals that chants at the parade of “Run, Jesse, Run!” inspired his 1988 run for the White House.

“I wasn’t surprised by the size of the crowd,” said Cuyahoga County councilwoman and Democratic Congressional candidate Shontel Brown, the event’s grand marshal.

She said people were still wary of gathering during the pandemic and unsure about whether the festival would proceed. “I expect it to return to its full glory when the pandemic is behind us,” she said.

The crowd may have been small, but there was still work to be done. At the festival, Brown urged those in attendance to turn out for municipal primaries on Sept.14 and the general election Nov. 2.

The 11th Congressional District covers much of Cuyahoga and Summit counties, including Cleveland’s East Side and nearby suburbs.

“Democrat or Republican, GED or PhD, everyone gets to vote,” she said.

Indeed, the parade drew many candidates for area offices this year, including Brown’s Republican opponent, Laverne Gore. Both are vying to replace Marcia Fudge, now the nation’s secretary of housing and urban development.

The parade also drew two downstate candidates for next year’s gubernatorial election, both Democrats: Mayor Nan Whaley of Dayton and Mayor John Cranley of Cincinnati.

“You can’t start early enough,” explained Cranley. “It’s a historic parade, the heart and soul of our party.”

The parade also featured police, firefighters, civic groups, fraternities, a dance troupe, a school district band, several businesses, and Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson.

“I’m retiring,” Jackson told those assembled, “but I wanted to come out today and thank you for your support over the years.”

Although unions held other events this Labor Day weekend, the caucus festival has become the city’s main celebration of the holiday.

“It’s hugely popular,” said Shari Obrenski, president of the Cleveland Teachers Union, who led a contingent of marchers. “We really missed it last year. It’s fantastic to be out in the community again.”

For information about the Sept. 14 primary and Nov. 2 general election, including registering to vote, visit boe.cuyahogacounty.gov.

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Grant Segall is an award-winning reporter who spent 34 years with The Plain Dealer. He has also published freelance articles, fiction, and “John D. Rockefeller: Anointed With Oil” (Oxford University Press).