WILLIAMSVILLE, Mo. -- The time-honored Williamsville/Black River Fire Department Labor Day Picnic will be held Sept. 1 and Sept. 2. The 33rd annual event will be held at the city picnic grounds next to the school on Highway A.
Sponsored by the Williamsville Lions Club, the annual two-day event offers entertainment, food and many activities.
Organizers say mouth-watering barbecue plates and sandwiches, tasty fried fish, hot dogs, hamburgers, deep-fried potatoes, funnel cakes and shaved ice present country cooking at its best to all comers.
Bingo, arts and crafts, vendors, children's games and other diversions will entertain young and old alike.
Free prize drawings are held every hour on the hour, so visitors will want to purchase their tickets early to be included in the drawings, according to organizers.
Serving begins at 5 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. Saturday. Fish will be available from 5-8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and Saturday between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
This year's picnic will be hosted by emcee, Will Dougherty III, who at 6:15 Friday evening, will join with John Gidden to host a special tribute to Dougherty's father, longtime and much-beloved emcee, Will Dougherty Jr.
Calvin Legrand will provide the excellent sound system for attendees' listening and dancing enjoyment.
Entertainment from all around the region will begin on at 5 p.m. Friday, with BreAnna and Alyssa from Piedmont, followed at 5:45 p.m. by Brandi Shearrer of Williamsville. After the 6:15 p.m. tribute, Brian and Morgan Kirkman of Williamsville will take the stage, followed by Cade White of Clubb at 6:45 p.m. The Heartland Quartet from Ellsinore performs at 7:15 p.m. Friday, and Buzzard Run from Naylor will round out the evening's entertainment, beginning at 8:15 p.m.
Saturday's events will begin at 10 a.m. with the Labor Day Parade, which organizers say promises to be bigger and better than ever, and will include attractions such as the Poplar Bluff Shriners Motor Club, Smokey Bear, the Greenville R-II Marching Bears, Ranger Willie and Bobber the Water Safety Dog, horses, mules, covered wagons, floats, bicycles, antique cars, clowns and more. They recommend bringing a sack to pick up all the tossed candy during this authentic hometown experience. Contact Larry Steward at 573-998-2736 for more information.
At noon Saturday, Kelsey Johnston from Patterson will kick off the entertainment, followed at 1 p.m. by Brandon Bates from Wappapello. Little Creek Gospel from Marquand will perform at 2 p.m., with the Country Fire Cloggers from Ellsinore following at 3 p.m. At 4 p.m., Iron Mountain Station from Poplar Bluff will take the stage, followed by Mackenzie Miller from Piedmont at 5 p.m. and Southern Pickers of Poplar Bluff at 5:30 p.m. Dave Bowman's Tribute to Elvis will begin at 6:45 p.m. and the Otter Creek Band of Williamsville will provide the grand finale of entertainment for this year's event, starting at 8:15 p.m.
All proceeds will benefit the local fire departments and other worthwhile civic projects. Bring along a lawn chair, visit with friends and neighbors and enjoy the entertainment, organizers say.
For more information, contact event Chairman, Gene Bilbrey at 573-998-2434.