Keillor headlines St. Paul Labor Day Extravaganza

Labor Day Extravaganza 2005 ? the annual picnic and more sponsored by St. Paul union members and allies ? takes place on Labor Day, Sept. 5, from noon-5 p.m. on Harriet Island.

The free family event features speakers, music, food and fun on the big river. It also includes a bit of rabble-rousing, celebration and education on how unions improve our lives.

Speakers will include:
? Garrison Keillor, of radio ? and soon-to-be movie ? fame.
? Greg LeRoy, whose latest book exposes corporate job scams and tax dodging.
? Larry Weiss, director of Citizen Trade Watch and longtime leader for a fair trade alternative to current globalization policies.
? Air America Minnesota host Wendy Wilde, who will also do remote broadcasts from Harriet Island.
? Congresswoman Betty McCollum.
? Col. Rod Haworth (U.S. Army Retired), of the United Auto Workers, who will highlight the AFL-CIO’s resolution to bring troops home from Iraq and to honor all troops, veterans and their families by supplying the equipment and services they need.
? Chris Coleman, labor-endorsed candidate for St. Paul mayor.

Music and Dancing
Entertainment includes Peter Ostroushko, the Four Voices String Quartet, hip-hop from Traditional Methods, the women of the Mila Vocal Ensemble, and Chix on Stix.

Food and Beverages
Libations and grilled food will be for sale, prepared by local celebrities, volunteers and Wildside ? St. Paul’s union catering firm. Unfortunately, there will be no free lunch this year.

Exhibits
Tents and booths feature unions and community partners. Also on display: a crane simulator from Operating Engineers Local 49; a fire engine sponsored by Fire Fighters Local 21; the Wellstone bus; and classic cars, hot rods and motorcycles.

Activities
Games, face painting, caricatures, pony rides, and children?s take-home projects inspired by Articulture. A dunk tank. A Red Cross bloodmobile. Plus the great lawn offers plenty of opportunity to pursue picnic pleasures.

Transportation
Parking, as always, is in short supply near Harriet Island. Thus, a free shuttle bus will run from the parking lot at St. Paul College, 235 Marshall Ave.

Raffles
Prizes include a 27-inch color TV and an autographed hockey stick from the Minnesota Wild.

Expand your mind
Get up to date on the Twin Cities’ living wage campaigns, Social Security, the crusade to change Wal-Mart, the Twin Cities Interfaith Center for Worker Justice, restoring the right to organize through the Employee Free Choice Act, and other issues crucial to working families. Updates. For schedules and the most up-to-date information on the Labor Day Extravaganza, visit www.stpaulunions.org

To take part,br> To volunteer for a shift during the Labor Day Picnic, or to donate blood, call Lynne Larkin-Wright, 651-222-3787 ext. 16. To display your hot rod, classic car or Harley, call Bob Feickert at 612-987-7400.

Events go on rain or shine, organizers noted.

Adapted from The Union Advocate, the official newspaper of the St. Paul Trades and Labor Assembly.