The Catskill Chronicle

Story and photos by Carol Montana

Nearly 400 people found their way to DeBruce, NY for the 16th incarnation of the DeBruce Family Labor Day Parade.

This year’s event celebrated children’s literacy and was a fundraiser for the Livingston Manor Free Library with a festival called Books, Bubbles & Balloons. There was entertainment with the Balloon-a-Tic, the Bubble Man, Story Laurie, the Mountain Tones Marching Band, Lorena the Spanish Dancer, and much, much more.

The parade featured floats, an antique fire truck, antique and classic cars and lots of people dressed as their favorite book characters. Everyone from Cinderella to Charlotte to the Cat in the Hat to Dr. Doolittle was there, as well as Thing One, Thing Two (and Thing Three?).

A giant children’s book sale took place under a huge tent with chapter books, picture books, non-fiction, Little Golden Books, graphic novels and more for sale.  And children could sign up to get free books throughout the school year.

Children’s authors Clara Gillow Clark, author of Hattie on Her Way, Annie’s Choice, and Nellie Bishop, Lindsay Barrett George (photo below), author of Maggie’s Ball, Alfred Digs, The Secret, My Bunny and Me, and many others, and Vera B. Williams, author of A Chair for My Mother, A Chair for Always, Lucky Song, More, More, More Said the Baby and several other titles, were on hand to sign books and greet the children.

There was an apple-pressing demonstration and a tasting of the sweet cider. Hot dogs and drinks were available for a nominal fee, and the children got free ice cream all day.

Entertainment was provided by the Arthur Rubenzahl, a.k.a. Balloon-a-Tic (photo below) who made all sorts of balloons for the children, and even was able to put a balloon into a balloon.

Story Laurie (photo below), who settled in the Catskills 16 years ago, told and sang stories. Her stories come from books, collections of folktales, and from other story tellers, and she performs at schools, libraries, parades and other events. Of her first time at the DeBruce Labor Day Parade she said, “It’s an absolutely magnificent event and I’m thrilled to be here. I’m a long-time lover of books and libraries, so the fact that it benefits a library makes it even more special.” You can find out more about Story Laurie at her website.

The Bubble Man (photo below) was a huge hit with his juggling, and spectacular bubble-making talents. Doug Rougeux lives in Syracuse and has been a bubble man for a long time. In fact, he said that this is his 20th anniversary tour.

Rougeux started juggling when he was 12, from a book called “Juggling Without Struggling” by Jay Green. “I bought it for my best friend Steve for his birthday, but I never gave it to him. And I still have the first little ball that I learned to juggle with. But I taught Steve how to juggle and I taught every single college roommate I ever had to juggle.”

Rougeux later joined a college club called the  Binghamton Juggling Institute, and juggled for the first time in front of an audience. He also took a mime workshop and a circus arts course, which led to his getting a job at Ringling Bros. circus. For two years he traveled across the country.

The Bubble Man learned his bubble making art from Casey Carle, who he calls “a bubble mentor and guru.” Carle spent two years perfecting the formula for making bubbles. (Hint: clear dishwashing liquid works better than the opaque stuff.)

Rougeux is available for indoor or outdoor shows at libraries, schools, festivals and theatres, and he can be reached through his websites www.bubblejuggle.com or www.bubble-time.com.

Livingston Manor Free Library Director Peggy Johansen was giddy with excitement. “It was so amazing, you had to elbow through the crowds … it was great. The parade was so much fun, we sold a ton of books … I’m thrilled, and the weather was perfect … ”

Organizer Steve Dill (photo left) was overjoyed with the turnout. “It’s the happiest day of my life. What a day, everything was great. The weather cooperated, everybody showed up, it went very smoothly, my family was such a big help … the neighbors getting the cars organized and the parking, people donated hay for the hayride … ”

And, when all was said and done, the Livingston Manor Free Library netted a little over $1200 from the event.

To see more photos or to purchase prints from the DeBruce Family Labor Day Parade, visit The Catskill Chronicle on Zenfolio.