The 97th annual Canal Winchester Labor Day Festival, presented by Diley Ridge Medical Center, is set to kick off during Labor Day weekend.
Festival activities will be held Sept. 2, 3, and 4. In addition to the Labor Day parade, festival attractions will include a World War II Memorial Wall, live entertainment, a car show, ice cream social, midway rides, and more.
Opening ceremonies will take place on the main stage on Sept. 2 at noon. Afternoon entertainment on Sept. 2 will be held on two stages and will feature music by Winchester Steel Co., Gas Pump Jockeys, and the British Invasion.
Other Sept. 2 attractions include balloon art by Mr. Bugaboo, children’s games, and performance art by Joy Unspeakable Productions. Families may enjoy a short, pre-festival kids’ parade at 11:30 a.m. and free children’s midway rides from noon to 5 p.m. (Sept. 2 only) courtesy of Jeff Wyler Chevrolet.
Sept. 3 features some of the finest show cars in Central Ohio. In past years, more than 200 antique, muscle, and classic cars have been on display. The cruise-in, sponsored by C-Town Cruisers, will start at noon with the trophy presentation at 4 p.m. on the festival main stage.
Entertainment on Sept. 3 includes balloon art by Mr. Bugaboo, performance art by Joy Unspeakable Productions, and music by fan favorites Marquis66, Sticks and Stones, and Chris Higbee on the main stage at 8 p.m.
The Canal Winchester Historical Society’s ice cream social will be held on Sept. 3 from 2-4 p.m. at the Canal Winchester Historical Complex on North High Street. The festival’s no-water “Canal Boat Races,” a competitive team event with cash prizes, will be held on Sept. 3 in the Stradley Greenspace, beginning at 3 p.m. for friends and family teams and 5:30-8 p.m. for business teams.
Sept. 4 will feature the Labor Day parade at 1 p.m., presented by Kelly Abbott & the “A” Team, HER Realtors. The parade theme is “Remember When.” Parade entry is available online through Aug. 25. Local resident Bill Yaple is the parade grand marshal. Main stage entertainment on Labor Day will feature music by 3-Cat Day.
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 World War II Memorial Wall of Freedom, a traveling military tribute honoring those lost in World War II. The memorial will be on display in the Stradley Greenspace Sept. 2 and 3 from festival open until dusk and Sept. 4 from festival open until festival close.
“The Canal Winchester Labor Day Festival is a family event,” said Canal Winchester Mayor Mike Ebert. “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.”
The Canal Winchester Labor Day Festival recognizes all festival supporters, with special thanks to presenting sponsor Diley Ridge Medical Center. Other major sponsors include: Lindsay Automotive, Mr. & Mrs. V.R. Hershberger & the Joiner Family, Jeff Wyler Chevrolet, Kelly Abbott & the “A” Team – HER Realtors, Waste Management, MG. Abbott Electric, Canal Winchester Rehabilitation Center, Fairfield National Bank, and C-Town Cruisers.
Festival hours are: Saturday, Sept. 2 from noon to 11 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 3 from 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and Monday, Sept. 4 from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Visit www.cwlaborday.org for information.
