Mon 9/6 @ 11AM
Shortly after he was seated in Congress in 1969, Louis Stokes began a nearly 50-year tradition in what was then the 21stcongressional district, now the 11th congressional district: the annual Labor Day Parade & Festival, organized by the 11th Congressional District Community Caucus.
The tradition was handed over to his successor Stephanie Tubbs Jones and continued by HER successor Marcia Fudge. Stokes returned to host it one last time in 2008 when Tubbs Jones died unexpectedly just two weeks before Labor Day.
Currently, the 11th district congressional seat is empty, following Fudge’s appointment to President Biden’s cabinet, a situation that will change after this November’s election with Democrat (and almost certain winner) Shontel Brown facing Republican Laverne Gore Jones. (This is one of the bluest districts in the country).
But the 11th Congressional District Community Caucus assures us there will be a parade and gathering afterward in Luke Easter Park with the theme “Empowering Our People.” “We are expecting over 5,000 people to attend our annual parade festivities,” they assert confidently.
The parade steps off at 11am from 147th and Kinsman Avenue and continues to the park at Kinsman and East 116th. Not only is the route long, but so is the parade: think St. Patrick’s Day level but more political. Candidates and political organizations are allowed at this one (and candidates show up in droves!), along with businesses, high school bands, youth cheer, baton and dance clubs, Black fraternities and sororities, fraternal organizations, government agencies, nonprofit groups and more. Someone is sure to ask if you’re registered to vote, and you’d better be if you know what’s good for you!
Generally there are post-parade festivities in the park, including food trucks, vendors, information booths and a high school band face-off, but we understand those may be scaled down. You can still meet your friends in the park afterward and make a day of it.
11cdccparade.com/event-details/11th-congressional-district-caucus-labor-day-parade-2021