The Koochiching Labor Assembly and the city of International Falls are teaming up to bring a Labor Day celebration back to the community.
From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 5, members of the community are invited to a Labor Day picnic at Smokey Bear Park.
“This is for everyone to come, have some food, have a good time, and visit,” said Mike Holden, president of the Koochiching Labor Assembly.
Holden stressed that the picnic is not just for labor union members — it is for anyone who wishes to attend.
He added that the goal of the picnic is to remind people of the importance of the holiday.
“Back in the 1950s and 1960s, this town really got into the celebration of the day,” Holden said. “They used to have a parade, games for the kids, a picnic, just a big celebration.”
While Holden didn’t come to the area until 1975, he said that Bob Walls Jr. told him of the extremity of what Labor Day once was. Holden said a lot of people remember those days and he is hopeful this year’s picnic will spark a new Labor Day tradition in the Falls.
“We are starting out small and seeing what it can become,” he said. “One of our county commissioners, Rob Ecklund, started with this idea to bring back a picnic.”
Organizers hope that by having the picnic on the actual holiday that people will be returning to town after a long weekend and that they will come to the event and relax. Hot dogs, chips, and pop will be served at no cost to the public.
Holden noted that picnic organizers are seeking volunteers to help serve and any help they receive is appreciated.
“I hope everyone comes and they build friendships at the picnic,” Holden said. “Labor Day is so important because people work so hard and they need to be rewarded.”
