JAMESTOWN, N.Y. – Thousands of people packed Bergman Park for the 36th annual Labor Day festival. It’s one of the city’s most anticipated events of the season.
The festival features, live music, arts and crafts and bingo. Proceeds from all food sales stay local as vendors represent non-profit community organizations.
"It's a Sunday in the middle of the holiday weekend, something the family can come and do together,” said Julia Ciesla-Hanley, Jamestown Parks and Recreation Coordinator.
Jamestown native Eveyln Suchar says she enjoys attending the festival with her husband, daughter and grandkids. "That's the best part, that's the best part. You get to see neighbors, friends and family." Suchar also says the festival is a nice way to wrap up the summer. "It's our last hurrah, school has started and we're ready to wait for fall. The next festival will be apples and pumpkins," she said.
In addition to the food, music and fireworks, the centerpiece of the festival is the salute to the area's workforce with the presentation of the George Ritzer Labor Award.
The recipient joins a long list of others from the Jamestown Area Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO.
This year’s winner is Gary Swain. He’s a long-time member of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 17.