The 96th annual Canal Winchester Labor Day Festival, presented by Diley Ridge Medical Center, will span Labor Day weekend.
Opening ceremonies will be on the main stage on Sept. 3 at noon. Sept. 3 afternoon entertainment will be available on two stages and will feature music by Winchester Steel Co., 3-Cat Day, Gas Pump Jockeys, and Sticks and Stones. The main stage headliner, Hotel California, the original Eagles tribute band, will perform at 8 p.m. on Sept. 3.
Other Sept. 3 attractions include a morning children’s parade and nostalgic games. Families may enjoy free children’s midway rides from noon to 5 p.m. (Sept. 3 only) courtesy of Jeff Wyler Chevrolet.
Sept. 4 features the cruise-in. In past years, more than 200 antique, muscle, and classic cars have been on display. The cruise-in starts at noon with the trophy presentation at 4 p.m. on the festival second stage, located at the McDorman Auto Museum on East Waterloo Street. (Car registration begins at 9 a.m.).
Sept. 4 entertainment includes Mike Albert & the Big E Band on the second stage at 5 p.m. and Chris Higbee on the main stage at 8 p.m.
The Canal Winchester Area Historical Society’s ice cream social will be on Sept. 4 from 2-4 p.m. at the CW Historical Complex on North High Street.
The festival’s no-water canal boat races, a competitive team event with cash prizes, will be on Sept. 4 at 2 p.m. in the Stradley Greenspace.
The Labor Day parade, presented by M.G. Abbott Electric, will be held at 1 p.m. on Sept. 5. The parade theme is, “There’s No Place Like Home.” Parade entry is available online through Aug. 26. This year’s parade grand marshal is Milton Mapou, a World War II Pearl Harbor survivor. Following the parade, Mapou will share his story and answer questions at Stradley Plaza, located on South High Street.
“Each year the Labor Day Committee nominates and votes for deserving candidates to be the parade grand marshal,” said Mayor Michael Ebert. “This year’s final choice is Milton Mapou, a local World War II veteran and survivor of the Pearl Harbor attack. The Canal Winchester Labor Day committee recognizes him for his bravery and service to our nation. Mr. Mapou will travel to Pearl Harbor this December as part of the 75th anniversary of the attack there on Dec. 7, 1941.”
Sept. 5 main stage entertainment will feature Danny & the Linders at 4 p.m.
In addition to children’s activities, midway rides, and street vendors, a quilt show will be available for viewing at the Community Center each day during the festival. For those over age 21, the Ugly Mug hospitality tent will be located near Stradley Park.
This year’s festival will host the Eyes of Freedom Lima Company Memorial, a traveling military tribute, at the McDorman Auto Museum. The memorial will arrive by motorcycle escort on Sept. 2 at 7 p.m. and will be on display all weekend.
“The Canal Winchester Labor Day Festival is a family event. With so many food vendors, arts and crafts vendors, rides, games, free entertainment, hospitality tent and our renowned parade, there is something sure to please everyone in the family,” said Ebert.
For complete festival details, including parade entry, visit www.cwlaborday.org.
The Canal Winchester Labor Day Festival thanks all festival supporters, with special thanks to presenting sponsor Diley Ridge Medical Center and major sponsors: Waste Management, M.G. Abbott Electric, Keystone Heating & Cooling, Jeff Wyler Chevrolet of Columbus, Mr. and Mrs. V.R. Hershberger & the Joiner Family, Brocon Construction Inc., Bird & Bull Engineers & Surveyors, Stevenson Farm, and VFW Post #10523. Other sponsors and contributors include Madison Township, Violet Township, Legacy Church, Ugly Mug Bar & Grill, Bud Brobst, Mike & Carolyn Ebert, Mike Walker, Matt Peoples, Rick Brown, Canal Wigwam, Holiday Inn Express-Hamilton Road, and the City of Canal Winchester.
For the festival information, visit www.cwlaborday.org. Festival hours are: Sept. 3 from noon to 11 p.m.; Sept. 4 from 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sept. 5 from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
