August 17, 2026 – The Mid-Illinois Labor Council will host its annual Labor Day Parade and Picnic in Decatur on Monday, September 7, with this year’s events highlighting working families, organized labor and community giving.
The Labor Day Parade begins at 10 a.m. in downtown Decatur, with lineup beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Franklin Street. This year’s theme is “Celebrating 250 Years of Hope & Solidarity.”
Andy Clark, a retired member of United Steelworkers Local 7-0838, has been named the 2026 Grand Marshal. Clark recently retired after 42 years with Mueller Company. He has held leadership positions with his local union and the Mid-Illinois Labor Council, including serving as an Executive Board member and vice president.
A Labor Day Picnic will follow the parade at 11:30 a.m. at Fairview Park. The picnic is free for union members and sponsoring organizations. The cost for the general public is $25 per person, which includes food, refreshments, treats and children’s games.
At 1 p.m., the Mid-Illinois Labor Council will distribute $18,000 in grants to 22 local charities through the We Are One Community fund, a donor-advised charitable fund housed at The Heart of Illinois Community Foundation.
