“We are back.”
Organizers of the annual Labor Day Celebration sent out flyers this week proudly proclaiming a full schedule of events for Palestine’s 68th annual event.
It’s actually the second year for the celebration since being forced to take off 2020 because of the pandemic.
The centerpiece of the celebration, sponsored by the Palestine Chamber of Commerce, will again be the Pioneer City Rodeo. It will kick off festivities with the first of three performances at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2.
The rodeo has been part of the celebration since 1966. Prior to that, the focus on the celebration was on Palestine’s history as a railroad town.
The rodeo is sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association and brings in champion ropers and riders from across the country. This year’s purse is more than $36,000.
A food truck court at the arena opens at 4 p.m. each day. Live music in the arena beer tent begins at 9:30 p.m. each night.
Also, inflatables for the kids will be open at Leaverton Park from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday and 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
The chuckwagon breakfast will again serve up pancackes and sausage in return for free-will donations beginning at 7 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 3, on Main Street. This is the 50th anniversary of the popular breakfast, which feeds hundreds every year. Vendors participating in “Main Street Market Madness” and musical entertainment downtown will also start at 7 a.m.
An antique gas engine exhibit and swap meet is all day Saturday at 110 E. Grand Prairie, just east of Main Street, and Crawford County Model Railroaders will display their trains at Palestine High School from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
The collectors’ belt buckle auction is 9:30 a.m. Saturday, followed by the junior pedal tractor pull sponsored by the Palestine Eagles. Registration 9 to 10 a.m.
Lunch with the Clowns is 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Community Building on Main Street. It is open to children of all ages.
Meanwhile, a corn hole tournament is planned for the beer tent at the rodeo arena. Registration begins at 11 a.m. and competition runs from 1 to 4 p.m.
Also Saturday, tethered hot air balloon rides will be available, weather permitting, at the Palestine Babe Ruth diamond at Leaverton Park. There will be a charge for the rides, which begin at 3 p.m. Norris Election is sponsoring the event.
The second rodeo performance is 7 p.m. Saturday.
Activities on Sunday, Aug. 14, start with church service at the Leaverton Park band shell at 10:15 a.m.
The Miss Labor Day Pageant is 2 p.m. Sunday on Main Street. The final rodeo performance follows at 7 p.m.
The annual Labor Day Parade is 10 a.m. Monday. This year’s theme is “Courtesy of Red, White and Blue.” Pre-parade entertainment at the park band shell will be provided by Tom Bridgewater.