Ronnie Coffey, director of Buena Vista's Parks and Recreation department, quiets the crowd before announcing Republican Bob McDonnell and Democrat Creigh Deeds, the candidates for Virginia governor.
Jahi Chikwendiu-The Washington Post
Republican Bob McDonnell greets the crowd at the annual Buena Vista Labor Day festivities. Attending "Laborfest" in this town of 6,000 at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains has been a rite of passage for political candidates for 39 years.
Jahi Chikwendiu-The Washington Post
John Whittaker, 9, of Front Royal shows his support for Republican Bob McDonnell. Deeds bested McDonnell in conservative-leaning Buena Vista four years ago, when he faced McDonnell in the attorney general race, and has targeted rural communities this year.
Jahi Chikwendiu-The Washington Post
Buena Vista's two-mile parade route was surrounded by hordes of T-shirt-wearing, slogan-chanting supporters on Labor Day.
Jahi Chikwendiu-The Washington Post
Democrat Creigh Deeds greets the crowd during Buena Vista's "Laborfest." Deeds has been struggling for recognition in the state's urban areas and hopes casting light on McDonnell's record on social issues will rev up the Democratic base.
Jahi Chikwendiu-The Washington Post
By the heavy signage, it's clear that it's election season. Buena Vista's Labor Day Festival dates to the mid-1960s, when the city bought the Glen Maury farm, planning to convert it to a community park. To celebrate the work done by the many volunteers who cleared the land and built picnic shelters, and hiking trails, the city organized a Labor Day parade.
Jahi Chikwendiu-The Washington Post
Thousands of people from across the region were expected to attend the Labor Day parade in Buena Vista, making it one of the candidates' best opportunities to meet voters face-to-face.
Jahi Chikwendiu-The Washington Post
Republican Bob McDonnell greets the crowd, backed by supporters holding "Women for McDonnell" signs. The past week saw the release of McDonnell's graduate school thesis, which contained controversial ideas about contraception and women in the workplace. McDonnell has been working to mitigate any damage that might have done with female voters.
Jahi Chikwendiu-The Washington Post
Gene Leoncavallo of Lexington, Va., holds miniature American and Gadsden flags, the latter a symbol for those opposed to the expansion of government. "He wants government to take over,'' parade attendee Jane Ryman said of Creigh Deeds. The Democratic candidate has denied full support for President Obama's policies, which are viewed negatively in much of Virginia.
Jahi Chikwendiu-The Washington Post
A woman emerges from the heavy political signage at Buena Vista's traditional Labor Day celebration.
Jahi Chikwendiu-The Washington Post
Democrat Creigh Deeds greets the crowd along the route of the Buena Vista Labor Day parade as a tracker from the McDonnnell campaign shoots video, hoping to catch a gaffe.
Jahi Chikwendiu-The Washington Post
Raymond Lee Swadley, left, and his wife, Lena Swadley, walk back to their car after candidates for Virginia governor, Republican Bob McDonnell and Democrat Creigh Deeds, participated in the annual Buena Vista Labor Day parade.
Jahi Chikwendiu-The Washington Post
Gallery Credits:
Photo Editor, Producer Sam Funt
