TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – For the past two years, one event has been notably absent on Labor Day from Wabash Ave.
However, that changed this week with the return of the annual Labor Day Parade that drew thousand of people downtown.
It was clear that this event was dearly missed by the community. The smiles, laughter and joy shown by both participants and spectators was evident. Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 157 Business Manager Mark Swaner was one of the lead organizers of the event. He said he’s glad to have this feature event back.
“To see labor and working people are together here, Labor Day is a wonderful thing,” Swaner said.
As we enjoy the celebrations that were missed over the past few years, one cannot forget the reason for the holiday. Swaner said that it’s important to reflect on just what Labor Day is.
“We reflect back on where the 8-hour workday came from, where overtime pay came from and where the 40-hour week came from,” Swaner said.
IBEW member Todd Thacker shared a similar feeling. He said that organized labor is responsible for many of the workplace privileges that we have today.
“It’s good to see people see why we have the benefits that we have today,” Thacker said.
Around 2,800 parade participants and even more spectators gathered along Wabash Ave. to enjoy the event. Swaner said that this is celebration is for you.
“Anybody who gets out of bed and goes to work and makes this economy work, Labor Day is for you,” Swaner stated.
The annual Ham and Bean Dinner also returned to Fairbanks Park.
This event held right after the Labor Day parade and has taken place for the last 38 years. The event is all free and always open to the public.
It features speeches from local labor unions and community leaders. Southern Indiana Area Labor Federation President Bill Treash said that this special dinner is a reminder of the impact that labor unions have had in the workplace.
“Labor Day is our day to shine,” Treash said. “We represent all working men and women and we want them to have a living wage and enjoy a good lifestyle.
Treash said that there was great turnout for the event.
