IBEW Local 246 (Steubenville OH) Sponsors Gem City Labor Day Festival

Toronto ready for Labor Day

TORONTO - The Gem City will host this year's 14th annual Tri-State Labor Day celebration Sept. 5 at the high school's Clarke Hinkle Stadium.

This year's celebration has moved from Steubenville to Toronto, and activities that day will range from speakers hailing the American worker to former National Football League stars signing autographs and a fireworks display later in the evening, according to Mel Clark, celebration chairman.

"This year former Pittsburgh Steeler Steve Courson will be the festival grand marshal," said Clark, adding former New York Jets star Lance Mehl, a Bellaire native, also will be there to meet and greet the public.

"They will be signing autographs and saying a few words," continued Clark.

Speakers are to include Mayor John Geddis and, hopefully, U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland, D-Lisbon, said Clark.

"We're also going to have free covered wagon rides for the kids," said Clark. "It's a good time for everybody. Everything is free."

Activities at the stadium kick off at 5 p.m. with the singing of the National Anthem by Vince Pino of Pittsburgh, followed by local resident Catherine Losey at 5:30 p.m., said Clark.

"The Weirton Tri-State Marines will be performing during the national anthem," said Clark. "(Losey) is going to be the next Britney Spears."

Susan Laughlin Varitek, a performer who regularly appears at Mountaineer Race Track and Gaming Resort, will begin singing at 6 p.m.

"She's a lot like (singer) Anne Murray," Clark said, adding Varitek will sing pop standards. "She's fabulous."

The Mansfield Five from Carnegie, Pa., will begin at 7 p.m. and sing pop and rock from the 1960s and '70s, said Clark. The Vogues will perform at 8 p.m., he added. Following will be a small fireworks display coordinated by Bob "Slim" Neal, chairman of the Toronto Fourth of July Committee.

Food and beverages will be available from the Toronto Band Parents organization.

Clark said the celebration is a way for people to get together, honor labor and enjoy a day of entertainment.

It's a get-together for the people of this valley," said Clark. "It's very important to honor labor. Everyone is welcome. We're also going to honor (Marine Sgt.) Nathan Rock, one of our heroes, that day." Rock, a Toronto native, was killed in Iraq Aug. 1.

Clark said sponsors of the event include Mountaineer; the Wal-Mart Distribution Center; Local 246 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers; the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 495 of Cambridge and Steubenville; and the Upper Ohio Valley Building and Trades Union.

Committee members include Anna Modiguidas, Nancy Antill, Mary Jane Zinno, Tina Juomar and Terri Coulter.

For information, call (740) 537-4658.