By Pete Gawda
Many of us grew up celebrating Labor Day as the end of summer and the beginning of a new school year. Although school schedules have changed and Labor Day is now an extra day off from school, the creation of Labor Day is significant in Colorado history.
In the 1880s, labor unions began lobbying for a holiday for the working people. While Oregon was the first state to recognize Labor Day, Colorado was second. On March 15, 1887, one month after Oregon’s action, Colorado’s Sixth General Assembly proclaimed the first Monday in September a holiday to honor workers.
According to the Denver Public Library’s Special Collections and Archives, then- Colorado Gov. Alva Adams supported the holiday even though many state leaders opposed labor unions and a holiday promoted by them.
About 2,000 people attended Colorado’s first official Labor Day celebration, according to the Sept. 6, 1887, Rocky Mountain News. The event, held in Denver’s Argo Park, featured a speech by Gov. Adams, a band performance and a community picnic.
Several other states followed the lead of Oregon and Colorado in proclaiming the state holiday. In 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed legislation making Labor Day a national holiday.
At first, many towns held Labor Day parades sponsored by labor organizations. Today, few cities have parades and the holiday is often recognized as a long weekend filled with festivals and arts and crafts shows and other activities. However, the town of Oak Creek, a former coal mining community south of Steamboat Springs, has held a Labor Day Parade every year since 1913.
The University of Chicago Divinity School states that the day before Labor Day was once known as Labor Sunday. It was recognized by dozens of Christian denominations, reflecting the belief that Jesus, a carpenter, preached dignity and justice for all workers. In 1909, Labor Sunday appeared on the official calendar of the Federal Council of Churches. Over time, however, churches gradually stopped observing it.
This year, Labor Day falls on Sept. 7.
Colorado Springs Labor Day festivities
From Sept. 5 — Sept. 7, Colorado Springs celebrates Labor Day with the Labor Day Lift Off at Memorial Park. It is the largest hot air balloon festival in Colorado. The balloons lift off in the early morning hours, making the event well worth an early wakeup call. Beer and Mimosa Gardens open at 7 a.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday, and reopen at 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. More than 70 hot air balloons ascend into the morning sky.
So get out of bed early and experience the Labor Day Lift Off. For details, visit [https://www.visitcos.com/events/annual/labor-day-lift-off/.
Arts and crafts
After watching the balloons, head to the Commonwheel Art Festival in Manitou Springs, where talented artists display and sell fine art and handmade items. The art festival takes place Sept. 5 — Sept. 7, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Memorial Park, 502 Manitou Ave. in Manitou Springs. Visitors can also enjoy live music, prize drawings and activities for children.
For more ideas on Labor Day events in the Colorado Springs area, visit https://www.visitcos.com/events/holidays/labor-day/.
