Summer's winding down once again and as we go into this Labor Day weekend I can't help but to be amazed at just how fast this season has gone. We've had some successful programming this season but unfortunately our canoe program suffered from the excess of rain we saw for the month of July. I can't recall a July 4th in recent memory that was as wet as this one was. August saw one of the more successful Blue Licks Commemoration in recent memory, with over 3,700 visitors throughout the course of the weekend. If you didn't get a chance to make it out for this years event, you missed a great weekend filled with fantastic weather and even more fantastic programs and entertainment.
I have to admit something, growing up on a state park and having a father who was a programmer, I never really understood what Labor Day meant. For my family, it was a day that my father always "labored" for the many visitors to our park. In doing a little bit further investigation on the subject, I have come to have a greater appreciation for the day. I would like to share a little bit of what I've found.
Labor Day was first observed on Tuesday September 5, 1882. It wasn't until 1884 that the first Monday in September was selected to celebrate a "workingmen's holiday" on that date. While its origins are still debated, I like what the co-founder of the American Federation of Labor, Peter J. McGuire said of this proposed day. A day to honor those "who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold." It was these first Labor Unions that ultimately began planning an entire day of demonstrations and....you guessed it....
picnics.
Today, the Department of Labor defines Labor day as a "yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country." While celebrations across the country differ from state to state, the first proposed outline of the observance has something that I find interesting. According to that first outline, the celebration of Labor Day should include- a street parade to exhibit to the public "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations" of the community, followed by a festival for the
recreation and amusement of the workers and their families.
With that, I realized the importance Kentucky State Parks play in Labor Day. While we may not have "carved all the grandeur we behold" or created the skyscrapers from steel, for those hard workers who have, we serve as place to where those hard workers and their families can come and relax, and enjoy a day well deserved. So this Labor Day, take time to visit your state parks, relax and allow us to be part of your
recreation and amusement! Check out this weekend's
SCHEDULE to see how we can help you out!
