This Labor Day weekend, Friday, Aug. 29 through Monday, Sept. 1, will mark Deepwater’s 123rd annual Labor Harvest Picnic with a variety of activities, entertainment, shows, contests, and more for the entire family.
Schedule:
Friday, Aug. 29 - The carnival opens at 5 p.m. and will remain open until 9 p.m.; vendor booths and concessions will open at 6 p.m.; the 2025 DLHP royalty will be announced and crowned at 6:30 p.m.; and music provided by Jay Tunes Entertainment DJ & Karaoke will take place from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 30 - Vendor booths and concessions will be open at 8 a.m.; the pedal pull will begin around 10 a.m.; kids’ games will be held in the park; the Deepwater All School Reunion will be at 10 a.m.; the first session for the carnival will be from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.; the baby show be held at 5 p.m.; the second session for the carnival will be from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.; and live music by Old Skool Band will begin at 8 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 31 - Vendor booths and concessions will open at 8 a.m.; the large car show will begin at 9 a.m. and continue to be open until 2 p.m.; church service will be held at 10:45 a.m.; the first session of the carnival will be from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.; live music entertainment by TLC Dulcimer Band will begin at 4 p.m.; the second session of the carnival will be from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.; and live music by the Tightwad Troubadours will begin at 7 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 1 - Vendor booths and concessions will be open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; live music performed by No Name Band will begin at 9 a.m.; the annual parade will start at 10 a.m.; and the horse show held at 1 p.m. The carnival will be open on Monday, via tickets only, following the parade. The Lakeland FFA will also be hosting a dinner fundraiser on Monday afternoon consisting of fried chicken, sides, dessert, and drink for $15.
Event Details:
Carnival - Amusement Associates will be providing this year’s carnival with attractions, games, food, and fun. A number of discounted pre-sale arm bands are available (while supplies last) through Deepwater Labor Day Picnic committee members (contact info listed below) for $20 each, along with arm bands available for purchase at the carnival for $25. Individual tickets will also be for sale throughout the weekend.
All School Reunion - The reunion will be in the Commons Area at Lakeland High School beginning at 10 a.m. Registration will be at the door. Those attending are asked to bring any yearbooks, photos, or memories they have from their school days. Drinks and snacks will be provided. For more information, call 660-362-0658 or email deannaplus2@yahoo.com.
King & Queen Contest - Contestants will be crowned in three age/category groups - PreK through third grade (Wee King & Queen), fourth through eighth grade (Prince & Princess), and ninth through twelfth grade (King & Queen). Judging was held last weekend with contestants critiqued on appearance, personality, poise, communication, and talent. Contestants will also be participating in the parade.
Pedal Pull - Registration for the pedal pull will be at 10 a.m. with the pull immediately following. The event will be for boys and girls, ages 4 through 12 years.
Kids’ Games - The games will begin at approximately 1 p.m. at the park, will be divided in age groups, and will consist of several foot races, bicycle and tricycle races, balloon tosses, egg & spoon, best mud pie, funniest hat, best pet, best decorated bike, and best decorated stroller/wagon. All pets must be friendly and restrained throughout the games.
Baby Show - Baby Show registration will begin at 4 p.m., followed by the show at 5 p.m. Age groups will include (boys and girls) 0-6 months, 7-12 months, 13-18 months, and 19-24 months. Babies may be outfitted in clothing or only diapers.
Live Music - All live music performances will take place on the stage in Deepwater Park. Those attending are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets.
Church Service - Worship service will be held under a large (red & white striped) outdoor tent and led by Pastor Jack of Park Grove Christian Church. Attendants are encouraged to bring lawn chairs in the event additional seating is needed.
Parade - Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. beside the horse arena with the parade following at 10 a.m. The Lakeland Vikings Choir will be starting the parade by singing the National Anthem. This year’s parade marshals are Clifford & Helen Crowder, life-long residents of Deepwater. The theme for the 2025 parade is “Bringing it Back for the Next Generation”.
Horse Show - Registration (youth and adult) for the Robin Landes Memorial Horse Show will be immediately after the parade at the arena, with the show beginning at 1 p.m. Cost will be $5 per class or $25 for all classes. There will be two age divisions - Youth (13 years and under) and Adult (14 years and older). Horses may only run one time per class per age division with riders welcome to ride multiple horses with their paid entry. The schedule of classes will be as follows - flags, barrels, ribbon race, egg & spoon, tater race, pick-up race, pole bending, money in the tree, boot race, and diaper race. Ribbons in each age division) will be awarded to first, second, and third place as well as there being a high point award.
T-Shirts for the Deepwater Labor Day Harvest event, while supplies last, will be available for purchase throughout the weekend. Other activities, entertainment items, contests, and raffles, will take place throughout the weekend that are not included on the schedule. Those with pets are asked to keep them restrained while taking part in the weekend’s activities.
For an official schedule of events, provided by the Deepwater Labor Day Picnic committee, please see August editions of the St. Clair County Courier. For questions, contact the committee president by calling 816-447-5425 or visit the Deepwater Labor Day Picnic News & Events Facebook page.
