Lowell Labor Day Parade, ranked as one of the best in country, to step off for 105th year (2024)

LOWELL — Unions from around the Calumet Region will march through Lowell again Monday for Indiana's longest continuously running Labor Day Parade.

The Lowell Labor Day Parade marks its 105th year this year. Parade Chair Cyndi Hughes said at least 95 entries would take part in this year's parade, which is down slightly from last year.

A Mixbook survey rated the Lowell Labor Day Parade as one of the most popular Labor Day events in America and the most popular in Indiana.

The parade kicks off at 10 a.m. Monday at Deanna Drive and proceeds along Commercial Avenue until it reaches Nichols Street. It added about three more blocks to be able to handle all the floats and spectators.

"Hopefully it gives us a better traffic flow," Hughes said. "It got so congested with all the floats."

This year's parade theme is "Celebrating Generations."

"Older people in the community have been sending us pictures showing how long they've been coming to the parade that we've been sharing on social media," she said. "It's neat to see how generations come together at the same time to watch the parade.

At least 20 unions will take part, including the Pipefitters Local 597, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 697, Ironworkers Local 395 and United Steelworkers Local 1010 and 1011.

Other participants include the Indiana Fallen Heroes, churches, local organizations and the Mi Ranchito Mexican Restaurant's dancing horses.

This year, people will be able to scan QR codes to vote for their favorite float instead of going to the judge's trailer.

Labor Day started in 1894 as a sop to organized labor after the Army cracked down on the national Pullman Strike. The American Legion chapter in Lowell began in 1919 to celebrate the homecoming of veterans from World War I. The parade was run by different groups over the years before the town government took it over in 2003.

Dozens of volunteers help organize the 2-mile-long Lowell Labor Day Parade every year. About 10,000 people typically attend.

"It's a hugely popular Labor Day parade in Northwest Indiana, but I generally think that's because it's the only one in the area," Hughes said.

The Lowell Labor Day Festival runs all weekend long, running from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday through Monday on the American Legion Grounds at 101 West Oakley Ave. in Lowell. The festivities will include music, bounces houses, craft vendors, fireworks and a petting zoo.

"We have free entertainment all weekend," Vendor Coordinator Joeilynn Townsley said. "We'll have a kids zone and soft play for toddlers with foam, soft mats and short slides for kids 5 and under."

The festival will include food trucks like Dr. Vegetable, Sizzle Shack and the local favorite Hayden's Home Grown. People will be able to buy treats like ice cream, elephant ears and cotton candy.

I Dig Dinos from Griffith will have dinosaur fossils, puppets and animatronic rides from 12-7 p.m. Saturday.

Live music starts at 2:30 p.m. Saturday and will include Hicks Duo, DMZ, Nawty and Headbanger's Ball.

"They've been the talk of the town,"Townsley said. "People can't wait to break out their 1980s outfits."

Music starts at 2 p.m. Sunday and includes Jason Martin Trio, Chronic Flannel and Dick Diamond and the Dusters.

Hope Church will host a church service on the big stage at 10 a.m. Sunday, followed by a cornhole tournament at noon. Fireworks will take place at dusk. People can park at the Trinity Lutheran Church at 631 Commercial Ave. and take a free shuttle.

The popular Kiddie Parade will take place at 12 p.m. Sunday in the Old Town Square. It's a smaller version of the parade that will include appearances from the popular kids' show characters Bluey and Bingo.

A petting zoo and live music from Chris & Lou will take place from 1-3 p.m. Monday.

"It's very family-friendly," Townsley said. "There's a lot of free entertainment."