CEDARVILLE — Labor Day weekend is the unofficial end to summer, but many people don’t know that the holiday has a big connection to a small town in the Miami Valley.
What some don’t know is that the holiday is celebrated because of a Greene County man, according to Cedarville Mayor, Tony Pergram.
“James Kyle was born in 1854. Lived here until he was 11 and then moved and settled in South Dakota. He was instrumental in making Labor Day a federal holiday, so our connection, because he was born here, is we are the birthplace of Labor Day,” Pergram said.
Since the 1980′s, Cedarville celebrates the holiday with a weekend of events during “Cedarfest” to honor the man who worked so hard so our nation could take a day off.
This year, there are food trucks, a fishing derby, golf scramble, a pancake breakfast, fireworks, and a parade.
Fireworks are scheduled to take place at 9:10 p.m. Sunday night, and the parade is set to take place at 1 p.m. Monday afternoon, according to event schedule.
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Pergram says even amid the pandemic he’s glad the event is being held.
“We’re trying to encourage mental health and make it a priority as well as safety,” Pergram said. “We’ve cancelled all indoor activities. We’re doing everything outdoors so you can social distance. It feels normal.”