Smokey Bear Park was alive with community spirit Monday as hundreds – maybe even thousands – of people gathered for the annual Labor Day picnic.
The third annual event co-sponsored by the Koochiching Labor Assembly and the city of International Falls, was bigger and better than previous years according to Mike Holden, president of the assembly.
“It was unbelievable,” Holden told The Journal Tuesday.
Holden said picnic organizers prepared for about 1,500 people, but volunteers went through at least 2,000 hot dog buns, he said.
“I think there was at least 2,000 people or more,” he said.
The resurrected picnic is a return to the worker pride that the community celebrated in the 1950s with Labor Day picnics that drew thousands of people and included parades, food, and fun. This year, Holden said in addition to the food, entertainment and more kid-friendly attractions were included.
“Everyone had a great time,” he said of the picnic for all members of the community, not just union workers. “The kids had a bounce house, barrel train and tractor rides. It was a great day.”
This year’s food was cooked on a grill donated by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union Local 294 out of Hibbing. Holden said the union wanted the International Falls community to use the grill for the event.
“Some of the (IBEW union) members are working on the Good Samaritan Society (International Falls) building,” Holden said. “They went to pick up the grill and will bring it back. It was much appreciated.”
While Holden has spearheaded the picnic committee in the past, this year Joe Schwartz was delegated for the part.
“Joe did a phenomenal job,” Holden said.
The labor assembly president said he couldn’t forget to give a shout out to the weather.
“It was absolutely beautiful,” he said, noting the Labor Day weekend weather was rainy and cold. “We didn’t know what to expect.”
The community appeared to agree. Smiles were seen on many faces as people congregated for good food, company and weather.
