Merritton keeping tradition alive
Steve Yendt remembers so many Labour Day weekends in Merritton as a kid, his mom and dad getting him a midway bracelet and the young boy spending the entire day on the rides.
“A lot of us in the Merritton Lions want to keep that tradition going we had as kids,” said the carnival chairman.
Labour Day in Merritton has been a special weekend in the community for seven decades. A few key ingredients go into ensuring the continued success of such a festival and, luckily, for Merritton the pantry is full of said ingredients.
For starters, organizers try to tweak a few things each year, just enough to make the festival feel the same, but offer something different to keep things fresh. This year includes a new car show that takes place Saturday, beginning at 11 a.m. in Community Park. Shiny, fancy or just plain old interesting cars — old and new — will be on display.
Friday night will also feature a trip to the past with a Neon Retro ’80s Party at the community centre. It starts at 7 p.m. and will feature live music from local band Rock the 80s, cold beverages and beef on a bun.
There will also be a vendor market that visitors can explore throughout the entire weekend.
Familiar favourites will return. The Monday parade should have between 70 and 100 floats, Yendt said. It will feature unions — in honour of Labour Day — dance studios, businesses and more. It leaves The Pen Centre at 11 a.m., following its traditional route to the swimming pool.
The fireworks display organized by Merritton ward councillors and team returns Sunday evening. Yendt said it’s always one of the more popular activities of the weekend, though it requires the community support, a second key ingredient that makes the festival a success. Many local businesses and individuals contribute to the weekend, either the festival itself or the fireworks display.
As many service clubs age and struggle to attract new members, Yendt is part of a recent influx of younger people with Merritton Lions focused on keeping the club and events such as the Labour Day festival strong.
Entertainment for the weekend also includes Johnny Chimpos on Saturday and By Design on Monday. Some of the tweaks from last year are also returning, including having the option to purchase wine, as well as beer. The advance $20 midway bracelets are available at Merritton Community Pharmacy, Pirie Appliances or Pizza Jerry’s — purchase before Friday and save $5. The bracelets allow unlimited rides to kids from noon to 5 p.m. either Saturday or Sunday.
For more information on the festival, visit merrittonlions.com.