Desloge Labor Day Picnic runs through Monday

It’s Labor Day Picnic time again in the city of Desloge and everyone’s invited to enjoy “One Last Summer Blast” as the 35th annual Labor Day Picnic kicks off this evening at 5 p.m. in City Park and continues through Monday.

As usual, Friday is designated as “Family Night,” with $15 carnival ride wristbands available for purchase at the park.

Daily activities at the family-friendly event will include carnival and pony rides, music, craft booths, food vendors and the popular beer and wine garden that this year is adding margaritas to its menu.

As in past years, there will be a lot of “Gazebo Entertainment” offered throughout the weekend featuring the groups: Canyon, Homebrew, Black Diamond, Honky Tonk Attitude, Ambush, Stonewall and Hillbilly Authority.

Chamber Executive Director Sandy Francis said parents will be happy to learn that an additional “wristband” day for carnival rides will be returning this year.

“For the second year in a row, we’re bringing back the Sunday Matinee from noon to 10:30 p.m. that offers the same one-price deal on carnival rides as Friday’s Family Night,” she said. “Wristbands for Sunday will also be available for purchase for $15 at the park.”

A new addition to the weekend is the St. Louis Whirlybirds and the RC Helicopter Air Show to be held from 2 to 5 p.m. on the east side of Parkside Elementary Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

“The biggest addition to this year’s picnic is Saturday night’s Blackwell Bash sponsored by Blackwell Motors,” she said. “Nashville recording artist Trent Tomlinson will be giving a free concert from 8 to 10 p.m. Saturday night. To get free tickets to sit in the Blackwell bleachers, people can stop by Blackwell Motors. Of course, lawn seating will also be available.”

The Car and Truck Show returns Saturday afternoon with judging at 3 p.m. and trophies awarded at 4 p.m. In addition, the Antique Tractor Show will take place Sunday afternoon.

Also on Sunday, there will be horseshoe and washer tournaments, as well as a sand volleyball tournament.

“This year’s Outdoor Family Movie is ‘Iron Man’ and is being presented by Hannah Mahaney’s American Family Insurance Agency,” Francis said. “We are expecting a big crowd to show up for this.”

Besides the family movie and always popular carnival rides, there will be other activities and events for children throughout the weekend and especially on Labor Day.

“On Monday afternoon we’re going to have kids contests that will feature turtle races, money in the haystack and a water balloon toss,” she said. “The contests are being sponsored by First State Community Bank-Desloge, Unico Bank and NHC Desloge, respectively. Along with that, we’re having the Kids Pedal Pull at 2 p.m.”

For parents interested in protecting their children, Leadwood Masonic Lodge is sponsoring the Missouri Child Identification Program (MoCHIP) on Monday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Of course, one of the high points of the weekend is always Monday’s annual Labor Day Parade at 9 a.m. Monday. This year’s theme is “A Veterans Salute” and current and past Desloge veterans will serve as the grand marshals.

“With temperatures expected in the mid to upper-80s, it will be warm, but better than it’s been for the last couple of weeks,” she said. “The chamber hopes everyone will come out and have a great time at this year’s Desloge Labor Day Picnic.”

Desloge Labor Day Picnic Super Sponsors include First State Community Bank; city of Desloge; New Era Bank, Belgrade State Bank, Sargent Construction, McDonald’s, Parkland Healthmart Pharmacy, Blackwell Motors, KFMO/KDBB Radio, KREI/KTJJ Radio, Dockins Broadcast Group, Marler’s Towing, Quick Cash, American Heritage Abstract, American Family Insurance/Hannah Mahaney, Jay Brown Construction, Casey’s General Store, Edward Jones/Brandon Penberthy, Cozean Memorial Chapel & Crematory, Greene’s Florist & Gifts, Parkland Flower Girl, Sam Scism Motors, Stone Park Resort, Carla Duvall – ReMax Best Choice, Vicky Crocker Realty, NHC Desloge, Local Union 396, Mineral Area Office Supply, Unico Bank and K. Buckley Towing.

“The chamber hopes everyone will come out and have a great time at this year’s Desloge Labor Day Picnic.” — Sandy Francis, Desloge Chamber of Commerce executive director

Friday, Sept. 4

5-10:30 p.m. – Carnival Wristbands: All you can ride

5-10:30 p.m. – Beer Garden featuring beer, wine and margaritas

5:30-8 p.m. – St. Louis Whirlybirds RC Helicopter Air Show (on the east side of Parkside Elementary)

Gazebo Entertainment:

7-10 p.m. – Canyon

Saturday, Sept. 5

11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. – Carnival Hours

11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. – Beer Garden featuring beer, wine and margaritas

Car and Truck Show – Sponsored by Marler’s Towing and American Family Insurance/Hanna Mahaney. Registration fee is $10. Check in from 9 a.m. to noon at the Chamber Booth. Judging at 3 p.m. Trophies at 4 p.m. (List of classes available at registration)

2-5 p.m. – St. Louis Whirlybirds RC Helicopter Air Show (on the east side of Parkside Elementary)

Gazebo Entertainment:

1-3 p.m. – Homebrew

4-7 p.m. – Black Diamond

8-10 p.m. – The Blackwell Bash

Blackwell Motors presents Nashville recording artist Trent Tominson (Stop by Blackwell Motors for your ticket to the Blackwell Bleachers. Lawn seating also available)

Sunday, Sept. 6

10 a.m. – Church Service at the Gazebo – Harvest Christian Centre

Noon-10:30 p.m. – Carnival Wristbands: All you can ride

11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. – Beer Garden featuring beer, wine and margaritas

Tournaments: Register all weekend at the Chamber Booth or at tournament location starting one hour prior to each event. $10 per event per participant. Forms also available at deslogechamberofcommerce.com or by calling 573-431-3006.

12:30 p.m. – Horseshoe Tournament

1:30 p.m. – Sand Volleyball Tournament

3 p.m. – Washers Tournament

2-5 p.m. – St. Louis Whirlybirds RC Helicopter Air Show (on the east side of Parkside Elementary)

Gazebo Entertainment:

12:30-2 p.m. – Honky Tonk Attitude

3-5 p.m. – Ambush

6-8 p.m. – Stonewall

8:30-9:45 p.m. – Outdoor Family Movie – “Iron Man” presented by American Family Insurance/Hanna Mahaney

Monday, Sept. 7

7-8:15 a.m. – Parade lineup on Walnut Street

9 a.m. – Parade begins. “A Veterans Salute,” Grand Marshal – current/ past Desloge veterans

11 a.m. – Flag raising ceremony by Disabled American Veterans, St. Francois Chapter 12

10 a.m.-5 p.m. – Carnival Hours

10 a.m.-5 p.m. – Beer Garden featuring beer, wine and margaritas

10 a.m.-4 p.m. – MoCHIP: Missouri Child Identification Program presented by Leadwood Masonic Lodge.

Kids Contests:

11 a.m. – Turtle Race (Prizes include Award for Best Dressed Turtle) Sponsored by First State Community Bank – Desloge.

Noon – Money in the Haystack sponsored by Unico Bank – Desloge

1 p.m. – Water Balloon Toss – Sponsored by NHC Desloge

Antique Tractor Show presented by Mineral Area Tractor Club

2 p.m. – Kids Pedal Pull (Trophies or ribbons given to all contestants.)

Gazebo Entertainment:

2-5 p.m. – Hillbilly Authority

Last Summer Blast T-Shirts available for $7 each at the Chamber Booth

One of the most popular draws at the annual Desloge Labor Day Picnic are the carnival rides. This year parents will be able to purchase wristbands for the kids on Friday and Saturday that will allow for unlimited rides for one low price.

Blackwell Motors will be presenting Nashville recording artist Trent Tomlinson in a free concert from 8 to 10 p.m. Saturday night at the Desloge Labor Day Picnic. For free tickets to sit in the Blackwell bleachers, stop by Blackwell Motors. Lawn seating will also be available.

The 35th Annual Desloge Labor Day Picnic begins Friday at 5 p.m. and continues through 5 p.m. Monday in Desloge City Park. The chamber of commerce-sponsored event brings out thousands of people each year to enjoy the food, crafts, rides and music offered throughout the event’s four fun-filled days.

Kevin Jenkins is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-518-3614 or kjenkins@dailyjournalonline.com