Pageants on tap for Aug. 19

The Henryetta Labor Day Celebration is one of the only, if not the only celebration in Oklahoma, commemorating the achievements of the American workers.

According to Shannon Frair, one of the integral and hardworking members of the Labor Day Celebration committee, “Henryetta has been celebrating Labor Day since at least 1954, I know for sure.”

She added that Henryetta still has a strong labor union presence even after Oklahoma became a Right-to-Work State. Labor unions are a group of employees who join together to advance common interests such as wages, benefits, hours worked, and terms and conditions. (U.S. Department of Labor) This year, The Henryetta Labor Day Celebration events start as early as Aug. 19, according to Frair.

— Pageants

The Baby Pageant and Miss Labor Day Pageant are scheduled for Aug. 19, with the Baby Pageant beginning at 10 a.m. at the Alice Ghostley Auditorium at Henryetta High School.

The baby pageant is open to boys and girls from ages 0-4 years old, who live within a 25-mile radius of Henryetta.

The Miss Labor Day Pageant will take place later that day, at 7 p.m., again at the Alice Ghostley Auditorium.

Entries are already being taken for the pageant and entry forms can be found on the Henryetta Labor Day Celebration Facebook page, Thehenryettan.com online newspaper or by contacting Shannon Frair.

The Miss Labor Day Pageant is open to young ladies from ages 5-20, who live within a 25-mile radius of Henryetta.

Contestants in the Miss Labor Day Pageant will have the option to compete in a talent portion of the pageant earning the title of Henryetta Labor Day Rising Star.

“Those choosing not to do a talent will be crowned in four different categories: Petite Miss Labor Day (ages 4-7), Little Miss Labor Day (age 8-11), Jr Miss Labor Day (ages 12-15) and Miss Labor Day (ages 16-20),” Friar said.

— Carnival Fun & Food!

About two weeks after the Labor Day Royalty is crowned, the Great Plains Amusement Carnival rolls into town. The carnival opens the Thursday night before Labor Day which falls on Aug. 31st this year.

The carnival is set up on the east end of Main Street in Henryetta behind the O’Reilly Auto Parts Store. The carnival will run nightly Thursday through Monday (Labor Day).

— Looking for something to do?

The weekend is packed with many events, Friar said, ncluding a home football scrimmage for the Henryetta Knights on Friday night.

Saturday morning, First Family Federal Credit Union will host their 11th annual Smokin’ Hot Labor Day Car Show.

Rustler’s BBQ and American Exchange Bank will host the 4th Annual Red, White and Q BBQ contest.

“Both events have an exciting new location with hopes that more patrons will be able to attend,” Friar said. Saturday evening is the first performance of the Jim Shoulders Living Legends PRCA Rodeo. It will be at the First Family Federal Credit Union’s Jim Shoulders Living Legends Rodeo Arena at Nichols Park.

On Sunday afternoon, Lester Sullivan hosts the Love Wins Annual Horseshoe Tournament at the End Time Revival Tabernacle on south 10th Street.

The Henryetta Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs (HYPE) are also planning a fun new event for Sunday afternoon which will be announced soon.

Sunday evening will be the second performance of the Jim Shoulders Living Legends PRCA Rodeo.

— TheBigParade&Competitions Starting Monday morning at 10 a.m. will be the Henryetta Labor Day Parade. Participants will be lining up at 8:30 a.m. on both sides of Main Street in Henryetta starting at 10th Street.

The parade starts promptly at 10 a.m. and spectators will see local high school marching band, Labor Day royalty, decorated floats and horses.

Participating marching band could leave with some money for their program with the Marching Band Competition sponsored by several of the local Labor Unions which makes it worth their while to endure the heat for a couple of hours.

The Marching Band Competition is open to all high schools within a 50-mile radius of Henryetta.

Immediately following the parade, on South 6th Street, there will be a turtle race, frog hopping contest and a fish scramble, which is hosted by the Henryetta Fire Fighters Union.

The Henryetta Labor Day Committee hosts the Ruby Gooden Labor Day Games at the Henryetta High School baseball fields behind McDonalds and the Henryetta Lion’s Club Hosts the Jared Been Memorial Corn Hole Tournament located at the Henryetta High School Gymnasium.

Through the evening there will be live music, a baby crawling contest, and parade awards starting at 6 p.m. at the Henryetta High School football field.

— Ending with a Bang

For the grand finale, there will be a fireworks display after dark, sponsored by Hwy, 62 Fireworks, owned by Ryan Sanford and family.

“People can be seen parked all over the east end of Main Street to watch the Labor Day Celebration come to an end thus marking the final days of summer,” Friar said.

Follow the Henryetta Labor Day Celebration Facebook page for updates and information.