Henryetta Hosts Hundreds For Annual Labor Day Parade

Henryetta is home to the oldest and longest-running Labor Day Celebration in Eastern Oklahoma.

Hundreds of people gathered for Monday morning's parade.

People lined Main Street to wave and watch floats go by, in this more than century-old tradition.

“It means a lot to all of us that still live here,” said parade-goer Sam Johnson.

"It's wonderful, especially after the pandemic. And it celebrates the unions of labor and that's what helped build this town,” said parade-goer Johnni Gasaway.

Cousins Johnson and Gasaway come to the Henryetta Labor Day Parade every year. It's been a tradition for decades.

"I've ridden bicycles, horses, I've been in the parade myself a few times and watched my kids ride their bikes in this parade too, when they were little,” Johnson said.

He said it's a place to catch up with friends while commemorating the worker's holiday.

Event co-chair Linda Gerster said the celebration started in 1906, the year before Oklahoma became a state.

"The union has been the backbone for this state since before statehood. And we feel like it's very important that it stays for the labor people and the common folk, plus the small businesses,” Gerster said.

She said this year, around 100 floats and groups paraded through downtown.

You could see smiles as people waived American flags and kids filled bags with candy, and hear sounds of sirens and marching bands cruising down the road.

The Labor Day Celebration is a weekend-long festivity starting Friday night with games, activities, and a carnival.

"This holiday weekend, Labor Day weekend was brought to you by organized labor. We're the ones who pushed it, so it's a great holiday. Seeing old friends and family, it's a great time to be in Oklahoma, and especially right here in Henryetta,” said Oklahoma AFL-CIO President Jimmy Curry.

"So we're excited to be here and to keep it going, and hopefully, for more years to come,” said event co-chair Shannon Frair.