Softball tournament will again kick off Metro-East Labor Day events

By CARL GREEN
Illinois Correspondent

Alton IL – The annual Labor Day softball tournament in Madison County will run from Aug. 21 through Aug. 24 this year, and union teams from throughout the St. Louis region are welcome to participate.

The James Stanley Memorial Charity Labor Day Softball Tournament will be held as always at Gordon F. Moore Community Park, on Illinois Rte. 111, Alton, sponsored by the Greater Madison County Federation of Labor.

Applications must be turned in by Aug. 14 before the coaches’ meeting at 6 p.m. that day at the Machinists Center in East Alton. They must include the union name, the coach or contact plus address, day-time phone number, the number of teams being entered, and a fee of $200 per team, plus a picnic donation.

Tournament rules and bracket selection will be completed at the coaches’ meeting.

Mail the information to GMCF of Labor, 161 N. Shamrock St., East Alton IL 62024. An entry form can also be obtained from the Federation. Call B. Dean Webb at (618) 259-8558.

Each year, the winning team is awarded the privilege of selecting the recipient of the charity prize, typically given to legitimate community organizations and causes. The winner also gets the traveling trophy to display for the coming year.

NEW LOCATION FOR PARADE
Even as the tournament finishes, the Federation will be holding its first of two Labor Day parades, this one the East Alton/Wood River Union Family Parade, organizing at 8 a.m. and stepping off at 10 a.m. from its new location for the first time, the Wood River Round House, at 633 N. Wood River Ave.

The parade will proceed northward from there on Wood River Avenue and end at the Schnucks parking lot in the Wilshire Village shopping center.

Following the parade, the Federation will hold its annual picnic at Gordon F. Moore Park in Alton, with food and refreshments free to those wearing wristbands that the Federation will provide to participating unions upon request.

Send the union name, address and contact person with a daytime phone, plus a $1 contribution per band, to GMCF of Labor, 161 N. Shamrock, East Alton, 62024. Additional picnic donations will be welcomed. For more information, contact Webb at 618-259-8558 or Mike Fultz at 618-409-4314.

ON LABOR DAY
On Labor Day itself, the Federation is planning its annual Tri-Cities Labor Day Parade and Picnic, with assembly at 8 a.m. and stepping off at 10 a.m. between Niedringhaus and 18th streets. It ends with the picnic in Wilson Park, including speeches and trophies for the largest union group, best float, best community group, best marching band and best marching union.

Music will be provided by Frank Comoromi and the Mannpower Band. Soda, beer, hot dogs and kids’ games will be provided and other foods will be sold. Madison County Transit will provide a free shuttle service between downtown and the park.

Meanwhile, a few miles to the south in Belleville, the Southwestern Illinois Central Labor Council will hold its annual parade and picnic. Its tradition is to step off at 10 a.m. on the south side of downtown and proceed to the picnic at Hough Park at 3rd Street and C Street. More information will be forthcoming as plans are completed.