Laborfest 2010 - Monday, September 6, 2010

Location: Downtown Parade, Summerfest grounds event

With President Obama scheduled as special afternoon speaker at the Miller Stage, accompanied by such other dignitaries as his Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis and the leader of the national AFL-CIO, Richard Trumka, Laborfest on Monday, September 6, at the lakefront Summerfest park has been extended until 7 p.m.

Close seating for the president''s speech from the Miller Stage will require advance tickets, the early ones being distributed by union leaders to their members and families. But the public and others can also attend Laborfest and hear the president from around the grounds. Organized by the Milwaukee Area Labor Council, AFL-CIO, this festival is run by union volunteers and open to all families for free.

The traditional Labor Day Downtown parade kicks off at 11 a.m. but it expected this year to be tighter and even a bit early to accommodate those who want to hear the president. From morning on there will be early assembly by union marchers and vehicles at Zeidler Union Square Park, between 3rd and 4th at Michigan St.

The thousands of invited participants, including such associates as Voces de la Frontera and the Milwaukee Public Theater, will head up 4th St to Wisconsin Ave. and then east to Milwaukee Street, then south to the entrance to the Summerfest grounds (Maier Festival Park).

There both union members and the community are welcome to an afternoon-long (this year into the early evening) free party, which again includes live dance music, entertainment, a people''s parade, clowns, a children''s stage, sports events, bingo and much more.

Many traditional vendors will also be on the grounds, though all service pauses during the president''s visit.