Fort Oglethorpe Labor Day festivities are Sept. 4
Labor Day at The Post returns to Fort Oglethorpe’s Polo Field at Barnhardt Circle. Scheduled for Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 4, the event runs 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and includes great food, arts and crafts vendors, activities for the kids and musical entertainment.
Labor Day at The Post is the city’s original outdoor family festival and was started to raise money for equipment Labor the Post Volunteer Fire Department. Early on, Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School graduate and hometown musician James Rogers headlined the event for many years. Then Rogers won the 1983 National Mountain Music Festival at Silver Dollar City in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., and his musical career changed dramatically.
Labor Day at the Post continued until 2011, when the event took a break for a few years. It was revived in 2015 when the late Leonard Fant, a close friend of Rogers who emceed the event for years, convinced his fellow board members of the 6th Cavalry Museum to bring back this family friendly event. “Leonard loved Labor Day at The Post and would tell great stories about the music, the guests and the fun activities for the kids. The museum board accepted the responsibility of bringing the event back,” said Chris McKeever, director of the 6th Cavalry Museum.
In bringing back Labor Day at The Post, the museum board was able to get Rogers to headline the event again. “I was thrilled to be part of bringing Labor Day at The Post back and see so many familiar faces in the audience. Playing for my hometown is very special to me,” said Rogers.
During his career, Rogers partnered with the Dollywood Company to run Music Mansion in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee from 1993 to 1998. During this time, James Rogers and Company (as the huge production show was called) earned the title of “the number one most attended show in the Smokies.” His 2,000 seat, multi-million-dollar theater received worldwide acclaim. Their performances won several awards, including the Peoples’ Choice Award for “Best Show” 1997 and 1998, “Best Theater” 1996, 1997, and 1998, and “Best Entertainer” 1997 and 1998, just to name a few. You can catch this hometown legend on stage at Labor Day at The Post from 2-4 p.m.
In addition to Rogers’ performance, other entertainers will grace the stage each hour. Christian music artist Aimee Garner takes the stage at 11 a.m. followed by Midnight Promise a dynamic, original three-piece group of best friends specializing in fun, high-energy acoustic rock and roll at noon. Austin Zackary, an up and coming country singer and songwriter performs at 1 p.m.
Make sure the kids get a chance to play in the Children’s Zone. For a small fee, kids can enjoy bounce houses, ride the My Fun Train and take pony rides. Absoylutely Not Adventures! mobile petting zoo will bring an alpaca, miniature horse, goats, sheep, a mini zebu cow and pig for all to enjoy as well.
When you’re not enjoying the entertainment, watching the kids playing or eating, browse the vendors selling handmade and homemade goods. You can find everything from home décor, art, baby items, gifts, fashion accessories, jewelry, candles, canned goods and more. Labor Day at The Post will be held on Labor Day (Monday, Sept. 4) on Fort Oglethorpe’s Polo Field at Barnhardt Circle. The event runs 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and includes great food, arts and crafts vendors, activities for the kids and musical entertainment. Vendor space is available. Spaces must be reserved in advance and are just $35 for a single 10’ x 10’ space and $65 for a double space. Anyone interested in vendor space can find the vendor application and payment information at www.6thcavalrymuseum. org. Admission to the event and parking are free. For more information, call the 6th Cavalry Museum at 706-861-2860 or search Facebook for Labor Day at The Post.