Democrats' holiday picnic attracts record numbers (San Luis Obispo County)

By Kirsten Flagg/Staff Writer

More than 500 people visited Arroyo Grande's Elm Street Park for the 49th Labor Day Picnic sponsored by the San Luis Obispo County Democratic Central Committee, a record turn-out for an event that already doubled its numbers last year.

The usual suspects - Democratic activists, politicians, and union leaders - supplied the speeches, entertainment and barbecue Monday, but those who waited for tri-tip in a line that stretched half a block's length included Republicans, Green Party members and the traditionally apolitical, many attending the gathering for the first time.

"They must have hit a hot button somewhere," said retired Cal Poly professor Allen Haile, 75, of San Luis Obispo, noticing all the new faces at a gathering familiar to him. "I think I know what it is. It's the frustration around the disaster Katrina. No, it's not frustration. It's anger." <snip>

http://www.santamariatimes.com/articles/2005/09/06/news/local/news01.txt

who's a reporter at the Santa Maria Times. She's also a Pub, but not a Freeper. I'll razz her via e-mail about this story. :evilfrown: