MANSFIELD — The Labor Day Parade, an annual tradition for many years in Mansfield, returns on Monday, Sept. 6.
The parade saluting American working men and women steps off at 10 a.m. at the five-way light in Mansfield, according to Norm Shoemaker, president of the Mid-Ohio Area AFL-CIO Council.
The parade was cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19 concerns and Shoemaker said the recent surge in cases is on top of mind for organizers.
“We will do what we can to keep people spread out and keep them safe,” Shoemaker said Wednesday.
He said there were 25 units registered to participate, which is down a little from previous years.
The parade will proceed east on Park Avenue and then turn north on Main Street and conclude at Richland Carrousel Park. But the fun doesn’t end there.
“Due to the positive feedback we received in the past, we are continuing with Labor Day festivities taking place immediately after the parade at Richland Carrousel Park,” Shoemaker said.
Free hot dogs, drinks and sno-cones will be offered at the carrousel, as well as free rides on the merry-go-round, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary in Mansfield.
The event at the carrousel is expected to last until 1 p.m., organizers said.
Labor Day is a federal holiday in the United States celebrated on the first Monday in September in any given year to honor and recognize the American labor movement and the works and contributions of laborers to the development and achievements of the United States.
The first Labor Day Parade was in New York City. In 1887, Oregon was the first state to make it an official public holiday. By the time it became an official federal holiday in 1894, 30 states already celebrated it, including Ohio in 1890.
