In the second parade of the 2004- 05 season this Main Line Group puts on it’s Best Face. This Labor Day only one group was in control of the streets in downtown other than the police. They are             The Black Men of Labor

September 5, 2004 New Orleans, LA. ......The Social Club known as the Black Men of Labor celebrated this year’s Labor Day on the streets of central New Orleans.

The annual parade, which got off to a slow start, had a very simple route, but that route was rather long. The route consisted of a loop, which started at the lounge known as Sweet Loraine’s, a large bar that hosts the group and it’s activities throughout the year. The loop ended around the corner at Marais street. The 3 mile long trek, was only at issue because of heat index of the day which made the 93 degrees mark seem like 104 in total sunlight which beat down on the crowd. There were no shade trees, buildings or other objects, other than the trditional umbrellas that could give some relief from the heat.

None the less, the crowd, which came to witness the processional was numbered in the 200 to 400 range and at least 2200 lined the streets as the parade made it’s way through the back streets of old Treme’.

Started earlier in the day, the group’s activities of celebration, had commenced at the St. Raymond Church at 10 o’clock in the morning, and with the parade was to wind down to the private party this afternoon with the members coming together for fellowship and remembrance of the years. It was nearing completion by 2 p.m. and the club was moved to begin the processional at 3:45 p.m., that start time put them behind by about one and a half hours.

As explained before, the loop of the parade was kept simple, and the stops made, did manage to reflect the respect that the club enjoys from the other organizations in town. The neighborhood turnout also gave anyone the impression that the group also enjoys popularity, in their own home ground.

Those stops did include some interesting choices, however, and the parades honored quite a few of the legends of blues, jazz, even R & B. One such bar reflected this aspect as well, the Donna Bar & Grill on North Rampart is one of the best places in the city to cater to the Brass band sound.

Also, the Candle Light Bar located on North Roberson street does do the visit honor by representing the R&B aspect of the processional.

We were very pleased to see the Fourth stop honors go to the hangout of the new group the Diamonte’ Ladies. The group is relatively new, founded in 2003 and first seen by us on Super Sunday 2004, last summer.

The dress of the members was a very handsome gold colored outfits with accents included of green, purple and blue. Those accents carried through to the scarfs, umbrellas, canes, shoulder patches, with a 1920 style hat with the proper accent.

Led by Joe Damson, this group took exceptional pride in and made great preparation, for this parade and that prep was evident in their last outing. Mr. Damson, has been the strong leader that the members have looked to for quite some time.

Some parting shots of the Black Men of Labor's 2004 Labor day Parade!