Ten good reasons to attend the Labour Day parade in North Buxton, Ontario.
One: A location with a history. The 2016 annual Labour Day parade celebrated the 93rd Homecoming in the southwestern Ontario rural community established by fugitive slaves and free persons of colour in 1849.
Two: Down home camaraderie. Park in a designated farmer’s field and set your lawn chairs along the side of the road.
Three: A parade that includes a brass band, a pageant winner, martial arts, dancers, singers, racing cars, antique cars, local politicians, Mardi Gras beads, horses, fire truck and tractors.
Four: Even better, a parade that includes women driving tractors.
Five: Multi-generational families gathering around barbecues, blankets, and picnic tables under the trees around the North Buxton Historic Site & Museum.
Six: Things to see. Wander among the tombstones to check out names and dates. Visit the one room 1861 schoolhouse that provided the best education in the area.
Tour an 1853 barn and an 1850s log cabin loaded with historical artifacts.
Seven: Things to do. Stroll around the entries in the car show. Sit in with the cheering crowd at the baseball diamond. Join the kids testing their skills on the basketball court. Browse crafts and displays.
Eight: Food Vendors. Select a food vendor and talk to the people in the line-up about their connection to the Buxton community.
Nine: Things to think about. The changes in the community over the years and the ongoing evolution of Buxton’s social network through the enthusiastic buxton next generation.
Ten: A relationship with the past. In addition to celebrating the fall harvest season and Labour Day, stop and ring the freedom bell at the entrance to the museum.
Shannon Prince, the museum curator, always offers an open invitation to ring the bell in remembrance and celebration of every slave that reached freedom in her historic settlement in Canada.
