'It's a great day,' says Louisville Labor Day participant, 'Everybody is happy'

Sep. 5—Linda King looks forward to Louisville's annual Labor Day Parade every year.

She and several other Balfour Senior Living residents painted their noses red and rode in Balfour's circus-themed float down Main Street, flanked by dancing clowns.

"It's a great day," she said. "Everybody is happy."

Added fellow Balfour resident Susan Greayer, "I love being part of it. It's a wonderful tradition. Seeing all the kids and residents; it's very uplifting."

Louisville's annual Labor Day parade returned to its Main Street roots on Monday, after a hiatus for the pandemic in 2020 and then a different route last year because Main Street was used for outdoor dining.

About 50 groups signed up to march in this year's parade, including marching bands and cheer teams from Monarch and Centaurus high schools and Monarch K-8. The Westernaires youth equestrian precision drill team brought horses, while Starbucks Workers United — one of the area's newest unions — made its parade debut.

Ben Gomez came to watch his son, senior Keegan Gomez, perform as a drum major in the Centaurus band. As a band family, he said, he has watched his kids perform in the parade for about 10 years.

"It's always fun," he said.

Keegan, who was marching for the first time as a drum major, said he's looking forward to the competitive marching season. The parade, he added, is a low stress opportunity to perform part of the show.

"It's fun to play for the community," he said. "We like dancing the cadences and seeing all the kids."

Lois Przywitowski, of Lafayette, brought her 1928 Ford roadster to the parade, joining about a dozen other members of the Denver area Model A Ford Club who participated. She said the club made the Louisville parade a tradition because two members were born here.

"We don't do very many parades because they're hard on the cars," she said. "But it's nice to get out and let people see them."

Crowds thronged the sidewalks along the route, cheering especially loudly for the area firefighters as they walked alongside their trucks to kick off the parade.

"I love small town parades," said Mitra Pemberton. "It's a really fun way to kick off the beginning of the school year. Especially after the Marshall Fire and COVID, it's nice to have small wins."

She's been coming to the parade for nine years, since her oldest daughter, Laila, was a baby. Some years, Laila and her sister, 6-year-old Roxanna, march with their school, Fireside Elementary. Other years, they're spectators.

Laila said she's glad they're on the sidelines this year. Marching last year, she said, was too hot. Plus, there's little opportunity to scoop up candy. Her candy strategy: "I run for it."

Lucas Calvo said he and his family have been watching the parade for about 30 years, mainly at the urging of his mom, 87-year-old Ruth Calvo. Catching up with friends is one of the highlights, he said.

"The parade is awesome," he said. "We meet people we haven't seen in a long time."

For Kay and Jack Doggett, who had a granddaughter marching in the band, the parade is a not-to-be-missed community event.

"We can be with people after three years of the pandemic," Jack Doggett said. "It's live and in color."