CASSADAGA – The Village of Cassadaga will host its first post-COVID parade to celebrate Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 6, beginning at 11 a.m. The parade themed, Labor of Love, will be held on Maple Avenue beginning at Commercial Street and end at the Cassadaga Fire Hall on Mill Street.

The parade will be followed by the Cassadaga Lakes Association’s Duck Derby fundraiser at noon and a community craft/vendor show in Ames Common and Bicycle Dice Run sponsored by the Citizens for a Better Cassadaga. All events including the Cassadaga Man Triathlon, hosted by Wilson Endurance Sports, are part of the Cassadaga Labor Day Festival. The parade will take place on Maple Avenue running from Commercial Street to Mill Street.

“We are extremely happy to host a parade to celebrate Labor Day,” said William Dorman, mayor of the village of Cassadaga. “We have all been looking forward to getting back to normal lives and the joys of summer. Our first community parade celebrating Labor Day not only highlights the achievements of all workers but allows our community and visitors a time to gather and just have some good old-fashioned fun.”

The parade theme, Labor of Love, was concepted by Cassadaga resident Pam Ulrich. Graphic design work for the parade is being donated by Blue Tomato Design owner and Cassadaga business/homeowner Kim Collins.

“This year’s parade will feature several local music corps, athletes, first responders, antique cars and tractors, community organizations, livestock and much more,” said parade chairperson Susan Asquith. “The theme is so well suited for this year’s celebration. It recognizes the hard work of all of our fellow residents and reminds us that with love we all need a hug these days.”

To date the parade is sponsored by the Village of Cassadaga, Citizens for a Better Cassadaga and Cassadaga Lakes Association. A GoFundMe page — Cassadaga Labor of Love Parade — has been launched for local residents, businesses, interested sponsors and ex-patriots to help fund this year’s parade expenses and establish an endowment to cover costs for future parades. Any group or organizations interested in participating in the parade or sponsoring should contact the parade chair at 716.400.5547 or sla14226@gmail.com. A full line up of parade participants and sponsors will be announced at a future date.