Photos: Buena Vista's Labor Day parade through the years
For 49 years Buena Vista’s Labor Day parade has been a place for candidates running for office to speak at breakfast events and be seen in the parade. The 50th annual parade was canceled this year because of the pandemic, but Buena Vista is hosting a lineup of political speakers on Monday on the Facebook page for its Glen Maury Park.
Since you can't go to the parade, take a look at past parades in what was often dubbed as the unofficial kickoff of campaign season for Western Virginia.
Buena Vista parade 1985
Democratic candidate for governor Gerald Baliles at the Buena Vista Labor Day Parade on Sept. 4, 1985.
Buena Vista Labor Day parade 1985
From the archives: Youngsters and oldsters watch as the Labor Day parade passes through downtown Buena Vista in 1985.
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Bob Goodlatte, running for Congress, shakes hands at the annual Labor Day parade in Buena Vista on Sept. 7, 1992.
Buena Vista 1995
Virginia Del. Lacy Putney of Bedford was one of many politicians at the annual Labor Day parade in downtown Buena Vista on Sept. 4, 1995.
1999
Seth Shreve, 11, doesn't let the rain deter him from watching the Buena Vista Labor Day parade from the back of a pickup truck. The weather kept a lot of people away from the annual event in 1999.
2000
Former U.S. Sen. Charles Robb walks Magnolia Street in downtown Buena Vista during the 30th annual Labor Day parade on Sept. 4, 2000.
2002
Ben Cline, then a Republican candidate for the House of Delegate's 24th District seat, campaigns during the Labor Day parade in Buena Vista on Sept. 2, 2002.
2002
Monika Eaton, of Lexington, displays her "No War" sign to the politicians walking in the Buena Vista Labor Day parade on Sept. 2, 2002.
2002
Then-Gov. Mark Warner greets members of the Virginia Military Institute's Drum and Pipe Corp at the start of the Labor Day Parade in Buena Vista in 2002.
2003
Former Virginia Attorney General Jerry Kilgore talked with citizens following the Buena Vista Labor Day Parade in 2003.
2003
Some of the scenes of the parade route at the Buena Vista's annual Labor Day Parade in 2003.
2005
Former Attorney General Jerry Kilgore shakes hands with spectators at the annual Buena Vista Labor Day Parade. Kilgore ran for governor as a Republican in 2005, losing to Tim Kaine.
2006
Kellan Travis (right), a then a junior at Virginia Military Institute helps fellow cadet John Judge (left) by tightly wrapping his sash around his uniform before marching in the annual Labor Day Parade in Buena Vista in 2006.
2006
J.W. Hostetter takes shelter from a light drizzle in the trunk of his car while watching the annual Labor Day Parade in Buena Vista.
2006
Former Sen. George Allen’s horse Bubba ruffles his neck while escorting Allen through the Labor Day parade route in Buena Vista.
2006
George Washington impersonator James Manship (right) talks with former U.S. Sen. George Allen (left) at the conclusion of the Labor Day Parade in Buena Vista in 2006.
2007
Vivian Cash, 91, said she's a widower whose husband was there in spirit as she waited on her front porch on Main Street in Buena Vista for the annual Labor Day Parade and for the opportunity to see Mark Warner on Sept. 3, 2007.
2007
Barbara Via of Waynesboro was selling a hedgehog near the Dixie Pony Rides that she and her husband, Carson Via, were operating at Glen Maury Park in Buena Vista after the Labor Day parade on Sept. 3, 2007.
2009
Rad Patterson watches the annual Labor Day parade with his daughter Maggie Patterson (petting the dog) and friends of the family Kagen Roberts (right), Addison Roberts (back left), and Talen Roberts (back right). The parade held in Buena Vista is often called the unofficial kickoff of campaign season.
2009
Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell greets parade watchers during the annual Labor Day parade in Buena Vista in 2009.
2009
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Creigh Deeds jogs the route at the annual Labor Day parade in held in Buena Vista in 2009. The state senator from Bath County narrowly lost the election that year to Republican Bob McDonnell.
2012
Tim Kaine supporters cheer at Glen Maury Park at the end of the Buena Vista Labor Day parade.
2012
George Allen, who ran for Senate in 2012, shakes hands as he walks down Magnolia Avenue during the Buena Vista Labor Day parade.
2012
U.S. Sen. Mark Warner shakes hands on Magnolia Avenue in Buena Vista during the Labor Day Parade in 2012.
2012
Tim Kaine, who ran for the U.S Senate in 2012, stops to talk with Buena Vista business owners Elaine and Phillip Pence during the Labor Day Parade.
2012
Students from Southern Virginia University in Buena Vista run down the street during the Buena Vista Labor Day parade.
2012
Sarah Ramig staples Mitt Romney signs to stakes before the start of the Buena Vista Labor Day Parade in 2012.
2012
The Parry McCluer High School cheerleaders march in the Buena Vista Labor Day parade.
2013
Southern Virginia University students walk in the parade on Sept. 2, 2013.
2013
People line Maury River Drive to watch the parade in 2013.
2013
Former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe shakes hands with parade-watchers in 2013. McAuliffe was running for governor at the time.
2013
"I'm literally running for governor," said Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli as he ran down the street during the parade in 2013.
2013
Kids marching with the Pentecostal Outreach Church Youth Department wave flags in the air before the start of the parade on Sept. 2, 2013.
2013
Dr. Larry Roller (center) of Mount Sydney walks with the Mark Obenshain campaign group in the 43rd annual Buena Vista Labor Day Parade on Sept. 2, 2013.
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Rep. Bob Goodlatte waves to bystanders during the Labor Day parade in Buena Vista in 2015.
2016
There was no shortage of showing political support for candidates in the annual Buena Vista Labor Day parade in 2016.
2016
Bagpipers help kick off the annual Buena Vista Labor Day Parade.
2016
Yelena Billias, 16, Metta Himes, 18, and Michaela Pence, 16, with Shenandoah Ballet, participate in Buena Vista’s annual Labor Day parade in 2016.
2016
Caden Ingram, 13, (left) and Collyn Knick, 14, both of Buena Vista, skateboard through downtown after the annual Buena Vista Labor Day parade showing support for their political candidates in 2016.
2016
James Arrington of Rocky Mount and his dog Oreo show support for then Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and running mate Mike Pence during the Buena Vista Labor Day parade.
2016
In this photo, former U.S. Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Roanoke County, speaks during the Buena Vista post-parade political speeches for the annual Labor Day Festival on Monday. Also on the stage, Ronnie Coffey (from left), Buena Vista Parks and Recreation director; Kai Degner, a Harrisonburg City councilman who is challenging Goodlatte; Cynthia Dunbar, Virginia’s National Committeewoman to the Republican National Convention; Del. Ben Cline, R-Rockbridge; Del. Jimmie Massie, R-Henrico; and Virgil Goode Jr., former U.S. Rep. from Franklin County, await their turns to speak.
2017
Republican candidate for lieutenant governor Jill Vogel shakes hands and introduces herself to community members while she walks down Magnolia Avenue in Buena Vista during the 39th Annual Labor Day Parade on Monday, Sept. 4, 2017.
2017
Cub Scout Pack 94 of Fairfield marches down Magnolia Avenue in Buena Vista during the 39th Annual Labor Day Parade on Monday, Sept. 4, 2017.
2017
Republican gubernatorial candidate Ed Gillespie waves to onlookers from Magnolia Avenue in Buena Vista during the annual Buena Vista Labor Day Parade on Monday, Sept. 4, 2017.
2018
A float supporting Republican candidates is driven along Magnolia Avenue during Buena Vista's annual Labor Day Parade on Sept. 3, 2018.
2018
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Corey Stewart gets a mixed welcome from the crowd during the post Labor Day Parade speeches in Buena Vista on Sept. 3, 2018
2018
Local artist Mark Cline drives Buena Vista Fire Department Captain Larry Moore, with a Statue of Liberty along Magnolia Avenue during the annual Buena Vista Labor Day parade on Monday, Sept. 3, 2018.
2018
The Virginia Military Institute Pipe Band helps kick off the Buena Vista annual Labor Day Parade on Monday, Sept. 3, 2018.
