Labor Day events start Friday
Published 11:31 am Thursday, August 29, 2019
India Isable
Destiny Wilmore
Jontashia Sullivan
Alycia Okolo
Emilia Zahabi
Jaida Jones
The Winchester Labor Day celebration and parade are one of Clark County’s oldest traditions.
Flora Shelby, director and treasurer of the Labor Day committee, said the Winchester Labor Day committee had provided the community with a weekend of events and spectacular parades by celebrating Labor Day since 1904.
The Shackelford Lodge founded the festivities, Shelby said, which is why this year’s parade grand marshal is Ernest L. Dobbins Sr., an exalted ruler of Shackelford Lodge 66.
Sherry Hampton, public relations director of the committee, said she recently learned the Winchester’s Labor Day parade is the longest-running parade in the state, which is why the committee chose this year’s theme, “Legacy … Still Standing.”
“We’re so proud of something going on so long,” Hampton said. “When we found out, we knew that has to be a legacy. The fact that we’re still standing and getting stronger, that’s how we came up with that.”
Hampton and Shelby said they had fond memories of the Labor Day festivities from their childhood, and they want to continue that legacy for generations to come.
Shelby said she recalls marching in the parade as a little girl, donned in white dresses, parading around the neighborhood as there was a time when the parade wasn’t held on Main Street.
The Winchester Labor Day committee organizes free family fun, vendors, gospel fest, live entertainment and the annual hometown Labor Day parade on Monday, Sept. 2.
The festivities kick off with the Winchester Labor Day Committee’s second annual “Night with Friends — An Evening of Comedy” at 7 p.m. Friday at Leeds Center for the Arts. Comedians DD Rainbow, LC Funny and Shirley “Moms Maybe” Whitemore will have the audience rolling all night long. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and tickets are available at leedscenter.org. Tickets are $10.
“That should be a great comedy show,” Hampton said. “It will be a lot of fun.”
Abettor Brewery is also hosting an after-party with Prototype performing from 8 to 11 p.m., and Thea’s Bass & Biddy will provide food until closing.
Shelby said for those who don’t want to attend the after-party, the annual street dance kicking off the Daniel Boone Pioneer Festival runs from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on Main Street.
Family Fun Day, sponsored by Clark Regional Medical Center, GenCanna and Central Bank is Saturday. The day features entertainment in partnership with Kenny Clay. Family Fun Day starts at 3 p.m. Saturday at Harmon Field, 20 Meadow St. Devine Carama, Jason Clayborn and the Atmosphere Changers, Adilad and more will entertain the audience as they enjoy inflatables, rolling video games, face painting, free food and more.
Vendors will also set up on West Washington Street Saturday, and voter registration tables will also set up in both locations, Hampton said.
The Winchester Labor Day Street Festival, featuring The Positive Movement Band, runs from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday on West Washington Street
Festivities continue Sunday with more bands, vendors and entertainment starting at 3 p.m.
The festivities culminate in the annual Labor Day parade at noon Monday on Main Street along with the crowning of the 2019 Winchester Labor Day Teen Queen. There are six queen contestants this year. The winner receives a scholarship
2019 queen contestants:
— Jaida Jones is a junior at George Rogers Clark High School and is the daughter of Tony Jones and Deanna Guy.
— Emilia Zahabi is a junior/senior at GRC. She is the daughter of Elizabeth Zahabi.
— Jontashia Sullivan, 13, is an eighth-grader at Robert D. Campbell Junior High School. She is the daughter of Leshonda and Jonathan Lyle. Sullivan said she enjoys her second year cheerleading at RDC. In her spare time, she enjoys hanging out with friends, dancing and gymnastics.
— Destiny Wilmore is a senior at GRC. She is the daughter of Samantha Wilmore and Timmy Wilmore.
— Alycia Okolo is a senior at GRC and is the daughter of Natasha Baker.
— India Isable is a senior at GRC and is the daughter of Dena Gipson and Harold Isable.
The 2019 Labor Day Little Queen is Jersee Lane. Lane, 5, is a student at Justice Elementary School and is the daughter of Brittnee Lane and Quincy Simmons. The 2019 Labor Day Little King is Za’Ryiahn Chenault. Chenault, 8, is a student at Justice Elementary School and is the son of Shankarra Chenault and Ellis Garrard.
The parade features the popular Kentucky State University marching band, George Rogers Clark High School marching band, Withrow High School marching and other participants.
Shelby said each year the festivities seem like a big family reunion. There’s fun for all ages, and between the Labor Day festivities and the Daniel Boone Pioneer Festival, there’s something to do all day, each day this weekend.
Hampton said she hopes everyone can come out and enjoy the festivities. She said she’s proud and thankful of how the community has come together to support the festivities, making it bigger and better every year.
“It brings us together,” she said. “As a child, in my eyes, it was something culturally ours. When it comes to coming together as it has over the years, that’s the feel-good feeling that I love.”
About Lashana Harney
Lashana Harney is a reporter for The Winchester Sun. Her beats include schools and education, business and commerce, Winchester Municipal Utilities and other news. To contact her, email lashana.harney@winchestersun.com or call 859-759-0015.
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