Janet Cook

Organizers plan on the parade lasting two hours despite having almost twice as many floats and more units than last year, LaborFest President Janet Cook said.

"It's going to be close," she said, acknowledging that spectators, especially children, get antsy when any parade lasts longer than two hours.

The parade this year has 129 units compared to 115 in 2001, and 29 floats are scheduled to roll.

In addition, six bands are scheduled to march and perform.They are the Craig, Milton and Parkview high school bands; the Janesville Fife & Drum Corps; Green Berets, Janesville; and Shamrock Fife & Drum, Grafton.

Engendered by the nation's response to the Sept. 11 terror attacks, the parade's theme is "America & Its Workforce--Stands Tall."
...
Spectators should get a kick out of a new unit called Jolly Giants, Cook said.The unit consists of a 12-foot caged wheel with acrobats tumbling inside and turning the wheel.

The parade is LaborFest's pinnacle, but it is only one part of the three-day celebration.

Music, games, refreshments, a climbing wall, car show, pony rides, petting zoo and a raffle with a new car prize will keep the festival grounds busy from noon to 11 p.m. Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday.

...
"LaborFest is about honoring working people on Labor Day and providing a festive celebration for families," said Cook, who is president of Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees (UNITE) Local 1871 at Woodbridge Corp., Brodhead.

"This southern Wisconsin celebration of labor and Labor Day allows affordability for families," she said."We like people to stay close to home, bring their families and have a good time."

Admission is free at LaborFest on the United Auto Workers Local 95 grounds at 1795 LaFayette St., Janesville, Cook said.

Parking on the grounds and at nearby businesses such as Pick 'N Save also is free.

Entertainment is provided, and prices for popular concessions have been kept down, she noted.For example, $1.50 will buy a hot dog, barbecue sandwich or a beer.

All games and activities for kids are priced at 50 cents.

Adventure Rock will be there.It is a climbing wall with various degrees of difficulty.
...
People will be able to buy tickets in the car raffle--grand prize a 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier--up until the drawing at 8 p.m. Monday, Cook said.

To comment on this story» Call our Sound Off line at 608.755.8335» Write a letter to the editor» Contact the news department at mailto:newsroom@gazetteextra.com.

The event is designed to appeal to working families, said Janet Cook, vice president of the LaborFest committee.
...
Cook acknowledged the lull in the action but said it had been steady all afternoon.The evening's band, Pink Houses, would bring lots of folks in, she added.

LaborFest has traditionally been busier on Sunday and Monday.

"I've seen the frustration they've had to go through," says Janet Cook, president of the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees Local 1871.

"I've seen the frustration they've had to go through," says Janet Cook, president of the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees Local 1871."Whenever they want to buy something, they have to prove who they are again and again."

Woodbridge company officials could not be reached.

ID theft increasing