Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

The newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness throughout the world.

Welcome to Fascinating Facts and Tantalizing Trivia

A Hartson Dowd Column

August 31, 2006

          To most people in North America, Labor Day is above all the last-blast of summer fun and --for many school kids-- the last day of freedom before Back to School. And even though many school districts now start classes in August, Labor Day long weekend is still a four-star farewell to summer time.

          In North Buxton, Ontario, this Labour Day weekend is a homecoming for former residents, friends and descendants of the original inhabitants of the town.  The 82^nd Annual Labour Day Weekend Homecoming Celebration is a four day event.

          Founded originally in 1849, North Buxton became the new home of black slaves who came to Canada on the “underground railway.”  Many of the people presently living there are direct descendants of the original settlers.

          The homecoming offers us as many as 2,500 visitors to the town to enjoy parties, a dance, a parade and a baseball game.

A New and Exciting event for Homecoming 2006

Tracks To Freedom

Ottawa Citizen reporter Chris Lackner is making a 93 day long, 800 kilometer trek, mostly on foot, across the territory covered by many fugitive slaves on their journey to freedom. Along the way Chris is staying in historic buildings, and is documenting his journey in word and by photographs. Chris Lackner and his photographer will end their journey here and will stay in the log cabin that has been restored on the Museum grounds. They are expected to arrive here on Friday September 1, at the beginning of the Homecoming Celebration. Pictured here is Jerry Gore and his granddaughter Quiera Chambers outside the log cabin where Chris Lackners journey will end. At the beginning of his journey, Chris stayed in the 200 year home of Jerry Gore in Kentucky. His home has a slave jail in the basement that is still standing and was used by its first owner who was a slave owner. It was later used by a subsequent owner in his work on the Underground Railroad. We are looking forward to hosting Chris Lackner and hearing about his unique journey on Homecoming Weekend.

Maybe you would like to take a look at this related website.

www.ottawacitizen.com/features/freedom/

There is a celebration of a very different type in the Gold Rush city of Dawson, in the Yukon Territory.  The Klondike International Outhouse Race has taken place annually on this Labour Day weekend since 1977.

          The crazy race, which is taken quite seriously by some athletes, involves five-person teams, each pulling an outhouse on wheels and get involved in a scavenger hunt race.  Many of the competitors wear outrageous costumes and equip their outhouses with such modern day luxuries as carpeted seats and cellular phones.  At the end of the three-kilometre race there are awards for the best-dressed racers as well as for the “fastest outhouse.”  The Grand Trophy is a wooden outhouse with an engraved plaque.

          To reserve your outhouse and enter a team,  Contact 867-993-5575 or events-kva@dawson.net

          SUNSHINE MUSIC FESTIVAL - 25th Annual!
Held every Labour Day weekend at the Palm Beach Regional Park, in Powell River, British Columbia, the Sunshine Music Festival draws music lovers from all over the province and the Border States. Like any great music festival, along with fabulous and varied musical performances, concert-goers are treated to an array of complimentary entertainments such as tarot card readings, foot massages, and art and craft booths that display an amazing range of artistry and ingenuity. Call 487-4107 for details.
WHEN: Labor Day Weekend, September (Sept. 2 & 3, 2006)
Web Site: http://www.sunshinemusicfest.com/   

August 31 - Sept 4, 2006

Spokane Tribe 93rd Annual Labour Day Pow Wow
Wellpinit, Washington
Info : (509) 458 – 6500

September 1 ­ 3, 2006

The 3rd Annual Asham STOMPER Music & Dance Festival
Reedy Creek, Manitoba
1-880-267-5730 or 204-589-6321

Sept 1 - 3, 2006

Cariboo Contest Pow Wow
Williams Lake, British Columbia
Info: (250) - 398 - 5978

Sept 1 - 3, 2006

M'Chigeeng Pow Wow
Pow Wow Grounds
M'Chigeeng, Ontario
Info: (705) 377 - 4280

          New York: Labor Day Parade
The first Labor Day Parade was held in New York City on September 5, 1882, and there's still one today: trade union members, high school bands, politicians, police and fire departments, and more.

          West Indian American Day Carnival Parade (Brooklyn Carnival)
This extravaganza has Caribbean costumes, music, and food, up to 2 million spectators, dozens of bands; it's a 4-day event and a children's parade happens Labor Day Saturday.

          Labor Day Concert in Washington DC:
This annual concert by the National Symphony Orchestra is performed on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building, and is free.

Maine: Pointe Sebago Labor Day Weekend Package
This family resort on Lake Sebago in southern Maine has 775 acres and a Labor Day package that includes buffet meals (lobster, at one), boat cruise, paddle boats, canoes, kayaks, daily supervised activities for all ages, entertainment, special rates for golf, special family and kids' activities.

          Detroit Labor Day Parade
Detroit, aka "Motor City" -- where the automobile unions were born-- has a major Labor Day Parade that's one of the biggest in Michigan. The free three-day Detroit Jazz Fest is scheduled for Labor Day Weekend, too. 

Hartson Sager Dowd

hsdowd@telus.net