"Wow, it’s like a bit of the Mardi Gras here in Edmonton" said ITV reporter Lorraine Mansbridge.
Mansbridge was commenting on the Klondike Days parade entry from CUPE Local 474, Edmonton Public Schools Custodial Workers. Two giant puppets representing a male, Mr. Sparkle, and female custodial worker; Ms. Bright, lead the entry, which also included a globe of the world, which they cleaned.
As well there were; six walking heads representing students, teachers and parents, and one that looked suspiciously like Ralph Klein (the real Klein avoided the parade), a dozen students in styrofoam/mache desks representing a typical classroom and a twelve member band from J. Percy Page High School rounded out the entry.
" Custodial workers in Edmonton public schools keep schools clean, warm and safe. They maintain school boilers and heating systems as well as doing regular cleaning which helps create a positive learning environment for students. Wow these puppets are huge, I’d say about 15 to 20 feet tall. The entry is presented by the custodian union CUPE Local 474" Mansbridge told the TV viewing audience.
This was the first year the Klondike Days Parade was broadcast across Canada on ITV and affiliated stations.
Despite overcast weather over 100,000 people lined the parade route, which had a record number of 135 entries and last just over two hours.
Over thirty members of CUPE Local 474, their families and friends were involved in the parade. Those that weren’t carrying the puppets supplied drinks to those that were while other’s handed out free pencils to the crowd. The pencils were emblazoned with; Edmonton Public School Custodial Workers and the We’re CUPE We Care for Edmonton Public Schools logo.
"We wanted to give kids and parents in the crowd something to remember us by and pencils symbolize education" says Doug Luellman, President of CUPE 474.
The puppets took two months to make and were designed and constructed by volunteer members of the Local as well as professional designers Peter Field and Mimi von Gaza. The local hired Peter and Mimi as part of the We Care Campaign, to create a more public profile for public school custodial workers.
Peter and Mimi are well known in Edmonton for their work on the giant puppets used during the annual New Years Eve first Night Festival. Both artists have been involved as social activists working with the Action Canada Network and recently with the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour using art and guerrilla theatre to enliven demonstrations.
This is the second time that Custodial workers have collaborated with local artists in bringing their message to the public. Last year Local 474 and Local 30 collaborated with Edmonton playwright Jane Heather in producing the Fringe play; RUNNING.
" Peter and Mimi were impressed with the artistic efforts and enthusiasm our members brought each Saturday as we created these puppets. We all worked hard bringing these creations to life, and we had fun " said Luellman.
Local 474 as well as CUPE Local’s 784, 3550 and the ATA are currently all in contract negotiations with the public school board. " We look at the parade as a way of getting our message out to Edmontonians that the work we do is important. It helps us fight back against contracting out by being visible and memorable." said Luellman.
EDMONTON PUBLIC SCHOOL CUSTODIANS ‘WOW’ ANNUAL KLONDIKE DAYS PARADE is the work and sole property of
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