Abby Caldwell, 6, pedals as hard as she can to pull the kids’ tractor and sled in the kiddie tractor pull sponsored by the Louisburg American Legion John P. Hand Post No. 250. (Photo by Kristen Waggener)
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Labor-free day in park
Hundreds soak up the sights and sounds of Louisburg’s annual community celebration
By Doug Carder, dcarder@miconews.com
Hurricane Katrina victims who sought refuge in Louisburg were guests of honor in the Labor Day parade three years ago.
Monday morning, Vonnie Gray couldn’t help but think about a new hurricane named Gustav slamming into the Gulf Coast as she watched the procession of floats, antique cars, fire trucks, horseback riders and the Louisburg High School marching band make their way up Broadway Street.
Mere hours earlier, her stepbrother, Drew Milne, and hundreds of other workers had been evacuated from giant offshore oil rigs near Houma, La.
“My stepbrother got in his truck with his personal belongings and headed north,” Gray said, donning a pair of dark sunglasses to shield her eyes from the sun’s glare as four airplanes streaked over the parade route.
“He didn’t own a home in Houma, and he got out in plenty of time,” she said. “I haven’t been able to get a hold of him today, but I’m not worried about him. He’s pretty resilient.”
So Gray, of Osawatomie, and hundreds of other residents from neighboring communities and Louisburg relaxed and mingled along the parade route.
“I’ve never seen so many people,” Jerry Miller thought to himself from his vantage point on the Louisburg Lions Club’s float during the parade.
“This just keeps getting bigger and better every year,” Miller would say later of the parade and community celebration in American Legion Park as he waited for his grandson’s arrival at the kiddie tractor pull.
Louisburg Chamber of Commerce could not have dialed up more perfect weather for the community’s annual Labor Day celebration.
“This is what it’s all about,” said Louisburg Police Officer Woodrow Bates before the start of the 50-minute parade. “I remember three years ago, it was really hot and as humid as a dishwasher, but today is perfect.”
Greg Mays soaked in the sun as he sat on the grass with his two sons, Hunter, 4, and Tony, 5, watching the Country Oaks band perform at the park.
“We live in Overland Park right now, but we love coming to Louisburg,” Mays said. “We’d like to move down here someday. We like to go fishing at Middle Creek (State Fishing) Lake; we buy our bait at the local BP station.
“You can’t find small-town atmosphere like this in Overland Park anymore,” Mays said as he scanned the park. “That’s why we like coming here.”
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Monday morning, Vonnie Gray couldn’t help but think about a new hurricane named Gustav slamming into the Gulf Coast as she watched the procession of floats, antique cars, fire trucks, horseback riders and the Louisburg High School marching band make their way up Broadway Street.
Mere hours earlier, her stepbrother, Drew Milne, and hundreds of other workers had been evacuated from giant offshore oil rigs near Houma, La.
“My stepbrother got in his truck with his personal belongings and headed north,” Gray said, donning a pair of dark sunglasses to shield her eyes from the sun’s glare as four airplanes streaked over the parade route.
“He didn’t own a home in Houma, and he got out in plenty of time,” she said. “I haven’t been able to get a hold of him today, but I’m not worried about him. He’s pretty resilient.”
So Gray, of Osawatomie, and hundreds of other residents from neighboring communities and Louisburg relaxed and mingled along the parade route.
“I’ve never seen so many people,” Jerry Miller thought to himself from his vantage point on the Louisburg Lions Club’s float during the parade.
“This just keeps getting bigger and better every year,” Miller would say later of the parade and community celebration in American Legion Park as he waited for his grandson’s arrival at the kiddie tractor pull.
Louisburg Chamber of Commerce could not have dialed up more perfect weather for the community’s annual Labor Day celebration.
“This is what it’s all about,” said Louisburg Police Officer Woodrow Bates before the start of the 50-minute parade. “I remember three years ago, it was really hot and as humid as a dishwasher, but today is perfect.”
Greg Mays soaked in the sun as he sat on the grass with his two sons, Hunter, 4, and Tony, 5, watching the Country Oaks band perform at the park.
“We live in Overland Park right now, but we love coming to Louisburg,” Mays said. “We’d like to move down here someday. We like to go fishing at Middle Creek (State Fishing) Lake; we buy our bait at the local BP station.
“You can’t find small-town atmosphere like this in Overland Park anymore,” Mays said as he scanned the park. “That’s why we like coming here.”