Close to 1,000 people showed up at Sunnidale Park in Barrie on Monday to celebrate Labour Day.
The free event featured activities and entertainment for kids and a tasty barbecue open to everyone. The event is meant to bring the community together in celebration of what Labour Day really means.
“It's a great way to highlight what labour does all year long, because mostly we're seen on picket lines which is only a small percentage of what we do. It's about mobilizing the community, bringing together non-profits, labour, businesses and local workers,” says organizer Joanie Pritchett.
Labour Day can be traced back to 1872 in Canada, when the first significant demonstration was held for worker’s rights. More commonly it’s known as the last unofficial day of summer, a time for friends and families to get together.
A short wait for food was well worth it for Ben Shigwadja, it’s his first time attending the picnic but it won’t be his last.
“It's great, the music is good the play stuff for the kids is great because they're having fun, the vendors, all the people are nice."
The first picnic in Barrie had 500 people showed, five years later close to a 1,000 showed up.
