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Capacity crowd caps Desloge Labor Day parade

Monday was biggest day for annual festival

By CHRIS CLINE
Daily Journal Staff Writer

Tuesday, September 02, 2008

DESLOGE — The heat may have proved to be an attendance factor on Saturday and Sunday, but it didn’t deter area residents from going to the Desloge Labor Day Parade Monday. Chamber officials said the capacity crowd at the parade capped off another successful Labor Day Picnic.

“I think Monday was our biggest day,” said Desloge Chamber of Commerce President Debbie Kester. “We knew coming into this weekend that the economy was going to be a factor along with the hot weather that was in the forecast. I think though, we have had a pretty good crowd overall. One time it might be down, but then the next hour it’s back up. Families are coming out with their children and everyone is having a good time. That’s all that matters.”

Kester said there were 40 washer teams in the washer tournament on Saturday.

“The horseshoe tournament had just as many teams in it,” she said. “All of our events have been well-received this year. Whiskey Creek brought in a big crowd on Saturday and really got things rolling for the rest of the weekend. They did a very good job.”

The chamber sold water bottles this year for $2. The bottles then could be refilled with soda, water or tea at the chamber booth for $1 throughout the weekend.

“That went over big for us this year,” Kester said. “It looks like it’s going to be next year’s thing again. We really appreciate all of the sponsors that helped pay for the water bottles. Without them we wouldn’t have been able to do this.”

Kester said the key to the success of the Labor Day Picnic each year is various businesses and organizations pulling together.

“There are so many people who work to make this event happen each year,” she said. “From the ambassadors to the ambulance district to the police department, everyone works together.”

Monica Coffey has been a craft vendor at the Labor Day Picnic for the past three years. She has been to several fairs and festivals this summer and said most of the crowds have been down.

“I would say the Labor Day Picnic is holding its own,” she said. “The crowd is down from what it was last year.”

When asked why she thought the crowd had dropped off, she said she wasn’t sure.

“People are staying closer to home because of the gas prices so you would think events like this would bring them out,” she said.

Chris Huber walked in the parade as part of the Iron Workers. He then went to the picnic with his family to enjoy the festivities.

“I come to this every year,” he said. “I love it. The kids have to come every year and check out what’s here. I think they (chamber) do a good job of trying to offer something for everybody.”

Chris Cline is a reporter for the Daily Journal. Contact him at 573-431-2010, ext. 114 or at ccline@dailyjournalonline.com.

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