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Changes set for 22nd annual LaborFest

Photo

Gazette files

Dustin Gardener, 16, of Janesville makes a splash as he dives for the ball during a mud volleyball game at LaborFest in Janesville in 2011.

JANESVILLE — The 22nd annual LaborFest will kick off Friday, and community involvement is the name of the game.

"Our theme is For the community, by the community," parade coordinator Jeanna Maasz said. "We're striving to get the community involved."

Some changes are planned for the weekend event.

About a half dozen vendors will handle food this year, instead of LaborFest officials handling it as in years past. Music stages will be moved inside the beer tent, so the weather will not preclude performances.

The festival is headquartered at the United Auto Workers Local 95 union hall, 1795 Lafayette St., Janesville.

An outdoor craft fair and a motorcycle show are planned, a first for both events.

Plots at the craft fair will be available to rent for $50 each.

Entry is free to the motorcycle show. Judging will break down into four classes: sport, custom, metric and heavy-duty. Trophies will be awarded to the top bike in each class, as well as to the bike named people's choice.

Mud volleyball and the annual parade will be held this year, too. Maasz had words of caution for mud volleyball players.

"Don't wear jewelry. Every year there's somebody that comes to us and says they lost their two-karat diamond ring in the mud," she said.

Hourly raffles will be held, with local businesses donating gift bags or other products as prizes. The prize drawing for the main raffle will be held at 8 p.m. Monday. Grand prize is four tickets to the Packers-Bears game Sept. 13 at Lambeau Field.

LABOR FEST SCHEDULE

Saturday

-- Noon: Grounds open

-- Noon: Teen Mud Volleyball

-- Noon-6 p.m.: Adventure Rock Climbing Wall, Games and Clowns

-- Noon-6 p.m.: Craft Fair

Music in the mud volleyball tent

-- 12 p.m. Hutt's Mobile Music

Music in the beer garden

-- Noon: Bard Enterprises

-- 2-4 p.m.: Frank & Co

-- 4:30-6:30 p.m.: Ruffcutz

-- 7:30-11 p.m.: The Stevee Nix

Sunday

-- 8 a.m.: Adult Co-Ed Mud Volleyball (breakfast available)

-- 8 a.m.-6 p.m.: Craft Fair

-- 10 a.m.-6 p.m.: Games, rock climbing wall, clowns

-- 11 a.m.-3 p.m.: Northern Illinois Raptor Rehab & Education featuring live birds

-- 1-4 p.m.: Bike Show

-- 2-3 p.m.: Snakes Alive: Live reptile Exhibit

-- 2-4 p.m.: Fire Engine Display

Music in the mud volleyball tent

-- 7:30 am-7 p.m. Hutt's Mobile Music

Music in the beer garden

-- 8 a.m.: Bard Enterprises

-- 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.: Shawn Sharp—Janesville's Elvis Impersonator

-- 2-4 p.m.: URMom

-- 4:30-7 p.m.: Gypsy Holler

-- 8-11 p.m.: Jamie Campbell and the Redneck Romeos

Monday

-- 10 a.m.: Car Display

-- 1 p.m.: Labor Day Parade—downtown Janesville

-- 1-6 p.m.: Games and clowns

-- 3 p.m.: Pickett's Circus Wagon

-- 4-6 p.m.: Janesville Jets Hockey players appearance

-- 6 p.m.: Trivia drawing

-- 8 p.m.: Raffle ticket drawing

-- 9 p.m. Grounds close

Music

-- 2-4:30 p.m. Grey Matter Mechanics

-- 5-8 p.m. Politix