By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Today, Monday, September 4, 2017, is a Federal, State of Alabama and banking holiday. The first Monday of September is historically considered to be the last weekend of summer, thus the day is reserved as a holiday for the working people who keep our economy functioning.
The first Labor Day was held in 1882. Its origins stem from the desire of the Central Labor Union to create a holiday for workers. It became a Federal holiday in 1894. It was originally intended that the day would be filled with street parades to allow the public to appreciate the work of the trade and labor organizations. After the parades, festivals were to be held to amuse local workers and their families. In later years, prominent men and women held speeches. Most of the world celebrates this in May, but the first Monday of September was chosen in the U.S. because of the long gap between Independence Day and Thanksgiving.
The holiday is normally one of rest and relaxation in Alabama, so there are few formal events; but there are still many activities today across the State.
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church at 980 Huffman Road in Birmingham is holding their 31st annual Labor Day festival which includes food, live entertainment, over 50 arts and crafts booths and a parish garage sale. Mickey and Minnie Mouse will be there. The festival will start at 9 a.m. and will end at 4 p.m.
Collinsville will celebrate the holiday with Mule Day. Bar C Farms will host the first annual Collinsville Mule Day. Activities will be held in and around Collinsville Trade Day and Bar C Farms. Admission is $2 per person, children aged 5 and under are free. The day’s festivities will start with a parade at 9:30 a.m. that will come through the town of Collinsville and end at Bar C Farms. There will be concession stands, a tack trailer, pony rides, games and much more for the whole family to enjoy! Events include: a trail competition (any equine can enter), mule halter classes, mule riding classes and log snaking and loading. Later that evening, the City of Collinsville will hold a fireworks show in the city park.
Birmingham Health’s 1st Annual Labor Day Palooza will be in the Hoover Park. There will be something for everyone, even pets. Attractions include: Swamp Monster BBQ, Urban Pops, cornhole, giant jenga, bocci ball, rock painting, a doggy pool with rubber ducks, fetch, a treat truck for dogs sponsored by Pets On The Bluff and Elsa from “Frozen” will be there for a meet & greet. There will also be kids’ activities (provided by The Fairytale Project), a photo booth with a dress up station (provided by The Fairytale Project), water balloons, hula hoops, sidewalk chalk, water guns, jump ropes and more to provide kids, and the kids at heart, some good ol’ fashion fun outdoors! All dogs must be on a leash or restrained in some way. At the Shades Cliff public pool; 2213 Hawksbury Lane, Hoover from 1 to 4 p.m.
In McCalla, the Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park will be holding its 26th Annual Labor Day Moon Pie Eating Contest from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There are different age classes with cash prizes. Your $5 armband includes: the Wacky Dome Bounce House, the Pirates Revenge Swinging Ship, cyclone swings and live music from the Over the Mountain Band. There will be an extra fee for balloons and face paint. Registration for the Moon Pie Eating Contest begins at 11:30 a.m. and the contests begin at 1 p.m.
The Socialist Party of Central Alabama will be holding a Labor Day celebration at The EAT South Farm in downtown Montgomery. They will have a potluck dinner (feel free to contribute), live music, socialist party speakers and partner organizations. They will be raffling off books and two activist board games for $2 a ticket. The event is family friendly and completely free. Participants are advised to bring your lawn chairs and blankets for a picnic style event.
The Mobile Yacht Club will be hosting a Labor Day Party. Eric Erdman, award winner for Best Solo Musician in the 2017 Nappies, will be performing from 5 to 8 p.m. There will be barbeque, fireworks, a bonfire and pool fun! Tickets are $10 prior to the event and available at the club, and they are $15 at the door. The Mobile Yacht Club is at 4925 Marina Drive North, Mobile. The Mobile Yacht Club was established in 1847 and is the second oldest in the nation.
The 72nd Mobile Labor Day Parade will roll on Monday, September 4, 2017. The parade will begin at 10 a.m. from the Civic Center parking lot. From the Civic Center parking lot, the parade goes down Civic Center Drive to Government Street to Royal Street to St. Francis, around Bienville Square, to Conception to Government, back to Civic Center Drive, and it ends at the Civic Center. The Labor Day Parade is to celebrate the achievements of America’s working people. In the spirit of the holiday, the parade honors the everyday people of Southwest Alabama. Participants will toss Kimberly Clarke American-made paper products to the crowds.
