Long known as an annual homecoming celebration in Suring, this year’s Labor Day weekend festivities promise to be bigger than ever. After all, a centennial celebration only comes around every 100 years.
“For those of us who are here, it’s really a celebration,” said Suring resident Lois Brazeau, treasurer of the Suring Area Historical Society. She said Labor Day weekend is a great opportunity to meet friends and visit with former residents who return to the village for the weekend.
“Labor Day has always been the homecoming celebration. If you don’t get home any other time, you get home for the parade,” said Helen Heimerl, secretary of the Suring Area Historical Society.
The 85th Labor Day celebration is a four-day festival featuring carnival rides and games, plus music, food and entertainment Friday through Monday at Veterans Memorial Park in Suring. Friday night’s featured event is a truck pull, and the pulling action continues Saturday with antique and farm tractor pulls. A demolition derby and fireworks are scheduled Sunday, with a parade on Labor Day.
Carnival rides will operate Friday through Monday, weather permitting. Wristbands, for $10, can be used for unlimited rides from 2-6 p.m. Saturday.
New this year is an all-school reunion on Saturday for graduates of Mountain and Suring high schools.
“For the 100-year centennial, we thought we’d go with all classes and see what response we had,” Heimerl said.
Last week, registration reached 280, and Heimerl said there’s room for about 15 more. She didn’t want to turn anyone away, saying people are welcome to attend to visit with their school chums but not take in the meal.
People of all ages have registered to attend, including a 100-year-old, Heimerl said. Several 95-year-olds sent their regrets, she added.
Suring School staff members will lead tours of the school from 2-5 p.m., followed by a social hour, dinner and entertainment beginning at 5 p.m. at Red Maple Country Club. Historical displays will be placed at the school, showcasing Suring’s early years of the logging and railroad industries.
Also new this year is Conquer the Hill, a 5K/10K walk and timed run that incorporates one of the village’s landmarks, the towering state Highway 32 hill.
“It’s tough. You think you’re about up to the top, and you have a quarter way to go,” said Kim VanHandel, one of the organizers for the run. She speaks from experience, having conquered the hill twice herself.
“When you finish it, there’s a great feeling of accomplishment,” she said.
The event is the brainchild of VanHandel and Kelly Fisher, both runners, who wanted to plan an event to bring people into Suring.
“We have that big hill, so why not use the hill?” VanHandel said.
The Business Association of the Suring Area signed on as a sponsor, as did other local businesses. The proceeds from the run will be returned to the Suring community; a kiosk at the ATV trail is one project likely to be funded by the event.
The race begins and ends at Veteran’s Memorial Park, and VanHandel promised a “big finish,” with music, award presentations and raffle prizes.
Even those who aren’t running in the race are encouraged to get involved, VanHandel said.
“We want people out there cheering and rooting them on. We just want it to be a fun event,” she said.
Over 150 people were registered as of Friday, and more are welcome on race day. Registration starts at 7 a.m. Anyone willing to volunteer may send a message to Suringrun@gmail.com.
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