Sentimental Journey | Labor Day celebrated with full day of programs in 1929
Today our sentimental journey is taking us to 1929, an interesting year in our history from many viewpoints.
Our first item appeared in the Marion Star Aug. 29, 1929, with this headline, “FULL PROGRAM FOR LABOR DAY IS ANNOUNCED,” followed by this smaller one, “Observance at Crystal Lake Park To Run 14 Hours; Starts at 10 a.m,” then “3 SPEAKERS BILLED,” and “$500 in Prizes To Be Awarded Winners in Various Contests.”
Marion’s Labor Day celebration will be a busy occasion, judging from the program of activities just announced by R. K. Ruppert, general chairman of the day. From 10 o’clock in the morning until the same hour at night the program is full of action. The after 10 o’clock there will be two hours of dancing to top off the day.
Crystal Lake park has prospects of being completely taken over for the day when Marionites gather to celebrate Labor Day. Committees of the Central Labor union have been at work on the program for several weeks.
Three speakers have been obtained for the program, which opens at 2 o'clock. Congressman Grant E. Mouser, Jr., will be the first speaker, followed by a program of songs by Virgil Geer and William Lucas, accompanied by Edna Lucas.
The Rev. Guy Strickland, of Columbus, will be the second speaker. After several contests the third address of the day will be delivered by John X. Hart, of Toledo, an organizer for the International Barbers’ Union.
Hart is a brother of Stephen J. Hart, Hotel Kumfort barber and president of the local barbers’ union. He will be the only labor representative on the speaking program. His address is expected to open an organization drive to be staged here by the local barbers’ union.
The 20-piece band of the village of Prospect will furnish music during the afternoon and evening. At noon the band will open with a concert on the courthouse esplanade. During the afternoon and evening it will play at Crystal Lake park.
The park management will furnish coffee and accessories for the noon and evening lunches.
A summarized program follows:
10 a.m. ‒ Games and contests under the direction of Addison Bain for younger kiddies. Sand pile contests; pinning tail on donkey and other doll house contests; inspection trip, fire drill. Ten suitable prizes.
11 a.m. ‒ Free-for-all boys’ race, 12 years; 50 yard dash, boys, and 50 yard dash for girls: ball throwing for boys and girls; sack race for boys; balloon race for boys and girls; old shoe race; 100-dash for boys, 14 years; three-legged race for boys 14 or younger; barrel race for boys; boxing contest for boys 12 years.
Noon ‒ Prospect band, 20 pieces, will give a short concert on courthouse plaza, driving to Crystal Lake where they will continue throughout the afternoon and evening.
12:30 p.m. ‒ Lunch with free coffee, cream and sugar to picnickers. Music during lunch period.
1 p.m. ‒ Tug of war for men and men’s horseshoe pitching contests; Green Camp vs. Erie Machinists; True Blue Lodge Steel Workers Union vs. Express Workers; 100 yard dash for men; fat man’s race; largest ladies race; men’s ball throwing contest; balloon race for women, men’s swimming race; men’s high jump; men’s broad jump.
2 p.m. ‒ Concert on platform; opening of speaking program, introduction by Ralph K. Ruppart, general chairman of the day: prayer by Clyde Wendell, member of the True Blue Lodge, Steel Workers Union; address by Grant Mouser, Jr., congressman Eighth district; program of popular songs by Virgil Geer, William Lucas and Edna Lucas, at the piano; address by Rev. Frederick Guy Strickland, of Columbus; music by the band.
3 p.m. ‒ Contests; pie eating for boys; watermelon eating contests; most beautiful baby and other contests front platform.
3:30 p.m. ‒ address by John X. Hart, international organizer Barber’s union.
4:45 p.m. ‒ Ball game, New York Central team from Bucyrus, which is the holder of many prizes won on the New York Central railway. The contest will be with the Erie shopmen’s team from the local Erie roundhouse and yards.
5:15 p.m. ‒ Swimming contest for all ages; ladies high dive; bathing beauty contest; boys disrobing in water contest; barrel boxing contests for men; clothing contest: harmonica playing contest for boys and men, several prizes for each. Prizes will be given for oldest car driven to park, largest family attending and one coming the greatest distance from Marion.
6 p.m. ‒ Dinner, free coffee, cream and sugar for picnickers furnished by park.
7 p.m. ‒ Rolling pin throwing contest for women; hog calling contest for men; husband calling contest for women.
8 p.m. ‒ Dancing contests on dance floor open to everyone.
8:30 p.m. ‒ Miss Bonnie Lawrence in a program of acrobatic dances and contortionist on the dance floor.
9 p.m. ‒ Dancing.
10 p.m. ‒ Fireworks display, special settings in honor of Labor’s national holiday.
10 p.m. ‒ Two hours of dancing will close the day.
There are a large number of prizes for all contests. $500 in prizes having been donated by Marion merchants interested in a local celebration and the efforts of labor to have a fitting celebration.
Phil Reid writes about history in Marion County.