The Labor Day Festival is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. Started in 1955 as a fundraiser to build the Youth Center, the Festival has not skipped a year since – even surviving the pandemic in a pared-down partly-online format. By 1960 sufficient funds had been raised for construction to begin, and in the following years the proceeds went to youth programs at the Youth Center and elsewhere in the city.
The first Festival had many of the same activities that people will enjoy this year: the parade, entertainment on the stage, an art show, talent show, bingo and sports contests. Many of the local churches and organizations were involved in the first four-day Festival. St. Hugh’s ran the bingo, the Community Church had a bake sale, the Jewish Community Center (now Mishkan Torah) sold kosher hot dogs and hot pastrami sandwiches, the Boy Scouts sold hot dogs and the concert band sold soft drinks. Various organizations such as the Little League, the Lions Club and the Fire Department sponsored candidates for the Popularity Contest (for “charming ladies” aged between 15 and 50) with the community voting for their favorites by putting pennies in a jar for each contestant.
Other activities that first year included a fishing rodeo at Greenbelt Lake, a water pageant at the pool (featuring synchronized swimming, diving exhibitions and “clown diving”), square dancing in the handball court, jitterbug on Centerway and a majorette contest that attracted teams from all the neighboring towns.
Gradually over the years, new and different attractions and activities have been added to the lineup, such as a corn-shucking contest, NASA exhibits, a pancake breakfast provided by the Lions Club, the pet show and decorated bikes and trikes during the ’60s. The schedule in the News Review has expanded from a small box in the corner of one page to the current four-page pullout (which will appear in the August 22 issue this year).
Some activities over the years have been one-off occurrences: for example, in different years in the ’50s and ’60s there were helicopter rides and hang-gliding demonstrations on Braden Field, a bubblegum contest, fireworks that had been rained out on July 4 and a babysitting service behind the stage (Candy Cane City). In 1965 the Greenbelt Players put on a play called The Curious Savage. In 1962 there was a greased pig contest organized by the Republican Club; the winner could keep the pig or sell it back to the Republican Club for $10. The event was supposed to occur again in 1977 but was canceled because the pig was sick. In 1978 there was a greased watermelon contest instead. In 1995 there were pedi-cabs to take people from their homes or cars to the Festival, as well as the usual shuttle bus.
The first mention in the News Review of the PTA book sale is 1965, when North End School PTA called for donations of used books. For a couple of years, the Republican Club held a crab feast, with beer and an “old-fashioned political rally.” In 1970, the Parade Marshal was Congressman Larry Hogan – father of the Larry Hogan who is currently running for U.S. Senate. The first Outstanding Citizen (Albert Cousin) was named in 1973. The shuttle bus was added in 1977. A marching kazoo band was part of the parade for several years in the ’70s and ’80s. Between the early ’70s and mid-’90s, the Festival featured a Salute to Americans at Work, with demonstrations ranging from bricklaying to bicycle repair to violin making.
Some years have seen controversies involving the Festival. For example, in 1966 the Greenbelt Committee for Peace in Viet Nam was barred from participating because of protests from the American Legion and Disabled American Veterans, among other groups. This came right after a difficult period for the Festival when the original organizer, Eli Don Bullion, had died and there was a desperate plea for new volunteers to take over.
Bad weather has sometimes been a problem, including Hurricane Ernesto in 2006, which canceled or drove some activities inside for the start of the weekend. However, in 1975, the Channel 5 TV crew filmed the rainy parade and proclaimed Greenbelt a “small town that won’t let bad weather stand in the way of having a good time.” According to the September 4, 1975, issue of the News Review, it never occurred to Sy Pristoop, that year’s chairman, to shut down the carnival area, cancel the stage events or stop the parade, so the “dauntless Festival” continued.
Festivalgoers this year will be able to enjoy an exciting line-up of bands as well as the usual carnival rides, food, Information Day, Craft Fair, Art and Photo Show, games and other activities. To celebrate the 70th anniversary there will be commemorative T-shirts available for purchase, with a logo designed by Greenbelt artist Lucy Dirksen. On Saturday morning there will be a breakfast to celebrate the distinguished service of past councilmembers.
New on the stage this year will be a children’s Singalong with Superheroes on Saturday afternoon featuring Taylor, Spiderman, Captain America, Elsa and Anna from Frozen and a new-to-Greenbelt band Honky Tonk Cassanovas on Sunday. Local band The Relics will play on Saturday, as will Greenbelt singer Kieran Lally on Monday.
Visit the Festival website at greenbeltlaborday.com or follow Greenbelt Labor Day Festival on Facebook for updates on the schedule and information about all the different activities.