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Janesville Labor Fest run by the community, for the community

JANESVILLE — Despite thousands of area layoffs, LaborFest will go on as usual this year.

The festival begins at noon Saturday, running through Monday night at the United Auto Workers grounds.

Organizers want to stress is it’s not a UAW fest.

“It’s a labor fest put on by the community for the community,” said LaborFest Committee President Bert Brookens.

This year’s festival theme is “Born Again Americans … Labor’s Rebirth.”

Six bands and games and activities for the kids will keep festival-goers entertained while the popular co-ed mud volleyball runs all day Sunday. The tournament has 42 teams, and organizers had to turn teams away this year, Brookens said.

The teen mud volleyball also runs Saturday afternoon.

“They really have fun, and that’s what it’s all about,” Brookens said.

Sunday is the big band day, capped with Madison County at night.

“They’re a draw anywhere they go,” he said.

But don’t forget about the big parade. Monday’s Labor Day parade features 152 entries and is dubbed as the “Midwest’s Best,” Brookens said.

It starts on Milwaukee Street near Academy Street, running into downtown, across the river and south on Main Street.

19TH ANNUAL LABORFEST

Events are held on the UAW grounds, 1795 Lafayette St., Janesville. Admission is free. No carry-ins are allowed.

Saturday

Noon: Grounds open, teen mud volleyball and DJ

Noon-6 p.m.: Adventure Rock climbing wall, games and petting zoo

1-5 p.m.: Band “Ryders,” in the beer garden

2-6 p.m.: “TT the Clown” and “Pockets the Clown”

7-11 p.m.: Band “Dynamite Society” on main stage

Sunday

8 a.m.-all day: Co-ed mud volleyball

8-10 a.m.: Breakfast available

9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.: “Hutt’s Mobil Music” in the mud volleyball area

10 a.m.-6 p.m.: Games, climbing wall, petting zoo

1-5 p.m.: Elvis tribute artist Jesse Aron in the beer garden

2-3 p.m.: “Snakes Alive” live reptile exhibit

2-4 p.m.: Fire engine display

2-5 p.m.: “TT the Clown” and “Pockets the Clown”

3 p.m.: Karate America demonstration, main stage

7-11 p.m.: Band “Madison County” on main stage

Monday

8 a.m.: Grounds open, coffee and rolls

10 a.m.: Car display, sandwiches available

12:30 p.m.-4 p.m.: Band “Scrapyard Daddy’s” in the beer garden

1 p.m.: Labor Day parade, downtown Janesville

1-6 p.m.: Petting zoo, games

2-6 p.m.: Northern Illinois Raptor Rehab & Education—live birds

3 p.m.: Pickett’s Circus Wagon

4-8 p.m.: Band “X 51” on main stage

6 p.m.: Trivia drawing

8 p.m.: Raffle ticket drawing

9 p.m.: Grounds close