This year, labor retains a prominent focus during Labor Day festivities.
A representative of the Jamestown's union leadership says it is important that the icons of two union groups appear on the promotional poster this year.
"We've always had union involvement with the Labor Day festival," David Painter says, "but we've never been able to be put on the ticket. We felt it was only right to have union sponsorship, and we are going to try to do more year after year."
Painter is the vice president of the Jamestown AFL-CIO Central Labor Council in addition to his membership of the affiliated International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 106, whose headquarters are located in the city. Both unions are official sponsors for this year's event.
Painter said unions campaigned to get the holiday recognized for all laborers. Currently, he said his labor council does a great deal of service to the area, like partnering with charities and veterans' associations.
On Sunday, the IBEW booth is giving away 1,000 frisbees. In addition, members will be selling water, at no cost to the union and 100 percent of the proceeds will go to the United Way.
"The day is important to us, just as it is important to the community,'' Painter said.
An annual feature of Labor Day at Bergman Park is the George Ritzer Memorial Labor Award. Painter was selected in 2009 for his commitment to the IBEW. This year William J. Servis will receive the honor. He is a 42-year member of Road Sprinkler Fitters Union Local 669 and 30-year member of Jamestown Musicians Local Union 134, as well as a delegate to the Jamestown Central Labor Council.