By Ed Parsons

Editor

The largest Labor Day Parade in the state took place on Monday in Paden City. The annual parade was the icing on the cake for a great weekend of events held on Main Street in front of the City complex. With several local musicians and bands taking the stage to delight the crowd, a few big names drew people from all over the area.

As always one of the top attractions for the event was the communities own fire departments famous fish fry and all-you-can-eat breakfast. Big crowds attended both meals while food was also served throughout the weekend by the labor-day committee, a few other organizations and the fire department food trailer. The mid-way was filled with kids of all ages enjoying the games and inflatables. Sunday night drew a large gathering as they anxiously awaited the Davisson Brothers Band. Although they arrived a little late it was worth the wait as they rocked the stage

The annual 5-K fun run was held on Monday morning and the first annual car show took place in the city park. Paden City’s Labor Day Parade has been a part of the community for the past 71 years and thanks to the organizers and committee members hard work throughout the year, it continues to be one of the premier events in the local area. While not as big as some may remember in the past, it is still worth the time to attend.

Bands from around the area joined in on Monday to provide the lined streets with some great spirit and school songs. Politicians road in vehicles tossing candy and waving at the crowd. Church floats brought out the best in those watching, while labor groups and others marched the route. The always popular Fire engines and Police vehicles from several communities blew their sirens and waved to the young and old.

Where else can you park at home and walk to one of the largest labor-day parades in the state. Where else can you walk from anywhere in town and enjoy quality music including entertainers like Jimmy Fortune. Where else can you walk up town and enjoy an all-you-can-eat breakfast or eat fresh Colemans fish sandwiches in a relaxing atmosphere surrounded by past and present friends and neighbors. It’s the one thing that sets small towns like Paden City apart from the rest.

From the Lions club dime pitch to painting ceramics you’ll not find a better event free of charge anywhere in the state. Rocking with the Davisson Brothers Band to Jimmy Fortune closing the event nothing compares. It was a great weekend for Paden City, one that’s been tradition for many years and promises to continue to fill their streets each and every year on Labor Day Weekend. This years event was even more special as Wetzel County Schools set the return date for school to the day following the holiday, giving the kids more time to enjoy their summer.