Unofficial Start of the Election Season
Labor Day has a long history on the Iron Range. Generations of iron miners, railroad workers, loggers, and manufacturing workers built the region. Labor organizing and union solidarity have been central to the Iron Range’s cultural fabric for well over a century.
The annual Iron Range Labor Day Picnic held Monday in Virginia’s Olcott Park serves as a modern tradition and a nod to the region’s rich labor heritage. Workers, families, and community members look forward to the tradition to celebrate labor’s role in securing workers’ rights and mark the unofficial end of summer.
While signaling the end of summer, the gathering hosted by the Iron Range Labor Assembly, representing unions across the region, also serves as the unofficial kick-off to the political campaign season.
This year’s gathering saw US Senator Amy Klobuchar, who is running for Minnesota Governor, Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan, running for US Senate, and Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon along with a host of local elected officials including state senator Grant Hauschild and Rob Farnsworth, state representatives Cal Warwas and Roger Skraba and candiates Aaron Kania, Dan Horoshak and Kim McLaughlin, Trina Swanson and Zack Filipovich running for State Auditor.
The Iron Range Labor Day Picnic is special because candidates, including those in state office, routinely walk through the crowds and hold one-on-one conversations with voters.
The community-wide gathering is framed around the idea that “All are welcome” and is popular with Steelworkers, teachers, public employees, trades workers, and community members looking to enjoy an afternoon filled with food, kids’ games, and music.
Next year’s Labor Day Picnic will be held on September 6.
Leave a Reply