August 30, 2016
Chicago (August 30)—Union sponsored Labor Day events have been announced for the upcoming holiday weekend. From Chicago to Southern Illinois and many points in between, union sponsored picnics, gatherings and parades are scheduled to celebrate the American worker.
“Labor Day is historically the day we celebrate workers and the American Labor movement, and those who came before us and fought so hard so we could enjoy the benefits we have today,” said SMART-TD Illinois Legislative Director Robert W. Guy.
“The work our members perform should be celebrated,” Guy said. “I’m hopeful our members have time over the holiday weekend to join others who share their same desire to provide for their families, come home safely every night and enjoy a dignified retirement, and that’s what the Labor movement strives to do.”
“Unfortunately,” Guy said, “We also have to remember there are individuals out there who would like to strip workers of their well-earned rights and protections.”
“So we must use Labor Day as a day of not only celebration,” Guy said, “but one of unity with our co-workers to stand-up against those who wish to tear us down.”
Guy urges all members to review the list of Union Sponsored events across the state and consider bringing the whole family to an event near them.
Labor Day events across Illinois
Labor Day 2016 – Illinois Labor Sponsored Events
AURORA
Sept. 4 – “Run With The Lion 5K” – This is a 3.1 mile fun run, celebrating health, family and Labor Day. Sign up to run the 5K course alongside the union’s mascot – the PATCH lion – and enjoy a complimentary ticket to Blackberry Farm following the race. All proceeds to benefit the PATCH Foundation, which provides financial support to local child-based community organizations in need.
Location: Blackberry Farm, 100 S. Barnes Road, Aurora, IL.
Time: 8:30 AM
Cost: $35 for adults, $20 for children. Register online at www.pdc30.com/5k
Contact: 630-377-2120 or email PATCH@paintersdc30.com.
BELLEVILLE
Sept. 1 – Southwestern Illinois CLC annual Labor Awards Dinner
Location: Panorama Banquet Center (downstairs), Bel-Air Bowl, 200 S. Belt West, Belleville, IL 62220
Time: Doors open 6:00 p.m. with Dinner at 7:00p.m.
Cost: $25 per person for dinner, Sponsor ad book $75 ½ 4 ½ X 3 ¾ page & $150 Full page 4 ½ X 7 1/2
Contact: Charles Kaemmerer, Jr. at 618-979-4953 or Terry Knoth at 618-233-8441.
Sept. 5 – Labor Day Parade & Picnic
Location: Parade is in downtown Belleville, lineup starts in 4th block of South 1st St., and will end at Hough Park with the annual Picnic. Parade & Picnic open to union members and their families ONLY and includes food, beverages and rides and games for kids.
Time: Parade – 8:00 a.m. lineup, 10:00 a.m. start / Picnic – 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Contact: Bill Thurston, 618-758-3513
Special Notice: NO PETS OF ANY KIND ALLOWED AT PARADE OR PICNIC
BLOOMINGTON – NORMAL
Sept. 5 – Labor Day Parade followed by a dinner in Miller Park for union members and their families. Theme is ”Protect your paycheck – Vote!”
Location: Downtown Bloomington – starting at Front and Madison Streets
Time: Parade – 9 a.m. line up, 10 a.m. start / Lunch – 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Contact: Mike Matejka 309-827-3934. Parade registration form is at www.bntrades.org
CHAMPAIGN – URBANA
Sept. 5 – Labor Day Parade followed by a picnic in the park.
Location: Downtown Urbana – starting at Lincoln Square Mall and ends at Prairie Park with picnic
Time: Parade begins at 10 a.m., picnic immediately following at Prairie Park in Urbana. Lunch and drinks will be provided. Entertainment includes games for children, live band, and guest speakers.
Contact: Matt Kelly at 217-621-5201 or Frank Rubenacker at 217-493-4239
CHARLESTON
Aug. 20 – Mid-Eastern Illinois CLC Labor Picnic, with food, drinks and live music. This is the 40th year!
Location: Fox Ridge State Park, brick pavilion, (8 miles south of Charleston on Rt. 130).
Time: Noon until 4 PM
Contact: Charles Delman, 217-348-7786 or Dan Kimball, 217-234-4609
GALESBURG
Sept. 5 – Labor Day Parade
Location: Parade goes down Main Street; Picnic at Lake Storey Park immediately following parade.
Time: 10:00 AM – lineup begins at 8 AM
Contact: Randy Bryan – E-mail the parade committee at labordayparade@hotmail.com
DECATUR
Sept. 5 – Labor Day Parade
Location: Downtown Decatur, line up on South Franklin Street at Wood Street
Time: 8 a.m. lineup, 10 a.m. start
Contact: Jennifer Huckstep or Bill Francisco, 217-428-3013
Sept. 7 – Picnic In The Park
Location: Fairview Park in Decatur, IL
Time: Immediately following parade until – 2 p.m.
Comment: This is the 4th annual combined picnic of all labor unions in Macon County, expecting about 1,800 participants. Free to union sponsors, $20 for general public.
Contact: Carl Draper, 217-791-1279
GURNEE
Aug. 24 – Labor Day dinner hosted by Northeastern Illinois Federation of Labor.
Location: Lake County Federation of Teachers Local 504 in Gurnee, IL
Comment: Dinner will follow a brief meeting at 7 PM. Special Guest Brad Schneider
Contact: Patrick Statter, 847-294-5064
MADISON COUNTY
Alton
Aug. 24th & 27th – James Stanley Charity Softball game
Contact: B. Dean Webb, 618-259-8558
Aug. 27th – Labor Celebration Parade and Picnic- kids games
Location: Parade lineup begins at 8:00 a.m. in the “pit” of the Alton Middle School, Collage Ave.
Time: Parade starts at 10 a.m. / Picnic –following parade at Gordon Moore Park, Alton, IL on hwy 140.
Contact: B. Dean Webb, 618-259-8558
Granite City
Sept. 5 – Labor Day Parade and Picnic – Live music and petting zoo
Location: Parade lineup begins at 9:00 a.m. in downtown Granite City on State Street between Niedringhaus & 18th Streets and will go to Wilson Park for picnic
Time: Parade starts at 10:00 a.m.
Contact: B. Dean Webb, 618-259-8558 or Mike Fultz 618-931-7212, cell 618-409-4314
PEORIA
Sept. 5 – Labor Day Parade with a theme
Location: Parade – Downtown Peoria – Free Bus Rides Provided by ATU Local #416 and Citylink from the Riverfront to downtown Peoria for the parade. Labor Day Party – on the Riverfront at parade’s end. There will be food music and fun for all!
Time: Parade starts at 10 a.m.
Contact: Michael Everett, 309-645-4901
QUAD CITIES
Sept. 5 – 33rd Annual Labor Day Parade Quad Cities Celebration
2016 Grand Marshal – UAW President Dennis Williams
Location: East Moline
Time: Lineup at 9 a.m. at John Deere Harvester Works parking lot at 1100 13th Avenue in East Moline.
Parade starts at 11:00 a.m. and proceeds along 15th Avenue.
Contact: Josh Schipp, 309-738-6536
Website: http://quadcityfed.wordpress.com/labordayparade
ROCKFORD
September 3 – Pageant in the categories of Princess, Young Miss, Miss and Mrs. Winners will be crowned immediately following the Labor Day Parade on the main stage.
Sept. 5 – Labor Day Parade with the theme of “Strong Unions Build Strong Communities.”
Time: 10:00 a.m., lineup at 8:30 a.m. in downtown Rockford
Special Note: A float contest for the unions will be held at 7:30 a.m. and winners will be announced and ribbons placed on the floats prior to the start of the parade.
Contact: Bill Corey, 815-968-1411, rulpresident@yahoo.com
Sept. 5 – We Are One Picnic – This is an all-union picnic immediately following the parade at Davis Park in downtown Rockford. The picnic will go until 2:00 p.m. Meal tickets are $6 in advance (or $9 at the gate) and beer tickets are $2.50 in advance (or $5 at the gate). This is a family-friendly event with free games and activities for kids! To reserve tickets in advance, contact Trisha Welte at 815-986-4822 or trisha@unitedwayrrv.org. Senator Steve Stadelman’s HoopStars 3-on-3 basketball tournament will take place during the We Are One Picnic. This FREE tournament is open to boys and girls, grades 3-8. To register your team, visit: www.senatorstadelmanhoopstars.eventbrite.com.
SPRINGFIELD
Sept. 5 – Labor Day Parade immediately followed with a picnic – BBQ, hotdogs, chips, soda. Bounce houses, entertainment, and beer sales available.
Location: Downtown Springfield – Jefferson Street to 5th, 5th to Capitol, Capitol to 6th, 6th to Washington
Time: 9 a.m. line-up, 10 a.m. start
Contact: Jim Dixon, 217-691-4906
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
Aug. 26 through Sept. 5 – DuQuoin Illinois State Fair
Labor Pavilion will be open each day of the fair and is sponsored by The Egyptian Building Trades
Twilight Parade will be held at 6 PM on August 26th for union members wishing to walk with the Union float(s) – Please arrive early
Labor Day Picnic Celebration will be held on September 5th, starting at 11 AM on the North side of the Fairgrounds. (Free barbeque and music for union members and their families.)
Location of all events will be at the DuQuoin State Fair Grounds, just off Route 51 in DuQuoin, IL
Contact for more information: Jason Woolard, 618-932-2102.
STREATOR
Sunday, September 4 – Labor Day Parade
Location: Line up at Sante Fe Depot on Illinois Street at 10:30 AM
Time: Parade starts at noon
Contact: Streator Area Chamber of Commerce, sacci@mchsi.com, 815-672-2921
