Organizers of this year’s Whitwell Labor Day Celebration say this year’s event will offer more for those who plan to attend this year than recent years past, beginning the evening of Friday, August 29th, with events going on for the entire holiday weekend and on Monday.
Photo from ‘Whitwell Labor Day Memories’ on Facebook
The annual celebration’s origins date back to 1956 when two local men and business owners thought up the celebration as a way to bring the town together and honor the spirit of the national holiday and also to raise money to buy the city’s first fire truck. From year one, it stuck and continued to grow in popularity, continuing now for 69 years (minus a year or two along the way for various reasons including the COVID pandemic).
Whitwell Labor Day steeped in nostalgia and local tradition, with many from the area recalling fond memories of the annual event including the parade, car shows, bingo contest, beauty pageant, the ‘skit’ performed by event organizers and volunteers, and in more recent years things like a burnout contest and of course the food…including the famous Whitwell Labor Day barbecue chicken.
While the event eventually moved it’s parade route from Main Street to Highway 28 and the celebration from the old high school’s McFarlin Field to the new city park on the north end of town along Highway 28; one thing remained the same–community involvement and participation. And while that not only made the annual even possible every year, it was often the people involved who bring about some of the best memories from longtime attendees to the event, many of who have long-since passed on.
If you grew up attending these annual celebrations, names like Harry Joe Hooper, Norwood Hooper, Max Condra, Harvey Merritt, Dr. William Shull, Dean Downum, Frank Atterton, Dennis Brandon, and far many more too numerous to mention–these are just some of the names you hear most when you ask any local about their memories of the event and the people.
 This year’s events stretch over the entire Labor Day weekend, beginning on Friday, August 29th with a movie in the park to kick things off with the classic movie ‘American Graffiti’. The movie is set to begin at dusk and those attending are invited to bring their lawn chairs and enjoy concessions including nachos, candy, popcorn, and drinks.
The events continue on Saturday, August 30th, with the Labor Day Car Show at the Whitwell City Park from 8am until 2pm. There is a $10 entry fee for those wishing enter their cars into the show. They have several prize categories including Best Overall, Best Classic, Best Modern, Young Gun (for 18 and under), Under Construction, and People’s Choice.
Saturday’s car show will also feature food trucks, craft vendors, inflatables and a foam cannon for the kids, and a “Battle of the Beards” beard contest at 3:00pm, which is sure to bring some down-home humor and fun for those participating and watching as this year’s organizers bring back a contest held at the celebrations many years ago.
Sunday, August 31st, the day is filled with live music and entertainment along with food trucks, craft vendors, and inflatables. Music will begin on the walking track stage at 1:00pm featuring Ross Locklair with the best of Elvis. This will be followed by performances from the group On The Rock with Cristal Cooper featuring some great
Labor Day Monday (September 1st) is a loaded day full of events, starting with the parade. This year’s theme is ‘Vintage Red, White, and Blue’.
Lineup will begin at 8:00am and the parade starts at 9:00am. Festivities will begin at Whitwell City Park following the parade which include food trucks, craft vendors, and plenty of activities for the kids including inflatables, carnival games, and more.
Other events on Monday include the popular ‘Burnout Contest’ at the walking track area beginning at 11:00am, ‘Dunk The Po-Po’ dunk booth at 12:00 Noon. Bingo at the ballpark pavilion will also begin at Noon for $2 per card or 3 cards for $5 with lots of great prizes. Other events include a cake walk with homemade cakes and pies up for grabs beginning at 2:00pm, ‘Pooch Parade’ for your four-legged furry friends at 3:00pm, a ‘Mud Bog’ behind the ball fields at 5:00pm, and a spectacular fireworks show will wrap the day’s events at dark.
Food vendors signed up to participate this year include Smoke Sesh BBQ, Chef Chasty Seafood, Mo Lemonade, CNC Candy Co., Down Home Bakes, The Hype, Pancake & Co., Cheese My Everything, Two Mamas, Sweet Chaos Bakery, Sequatchie Valley Candy Co., Pucker Up Lemonade, Chilly Bones, The Freudian Sip Coffee, G&K Concessions, Straight to the Stomach, Candy Cartel, Leslie’s Luscious Treats, and others.
Other vendors include Craft Collective, Farmhouse Boutique, Renewal By Anderson, Jewelry Chic, Maria’s Scented Asylum, High Demand Creations, Permanent Jewelry with Beth, Kirsten’s House of Glitter, Misty’s Creations, Twisted Sister’s Books, Coe’s Custom Creations, Shellie’s Creations, Face Your Paint, Hudson Harvest, Palms Up, Lore Hollow Books, One of a Kind, and others.
For more information on this year’s event you can follow the Whitwell City Park on Facebook, or contact the Whitwell City Hall at 423-658-5151 to get in touch with organizers and volunteers.
