Labor Day weekend is traditionally the last weekend of summer.
If that’s true, summer is going out with a bang, with two events this weekend.
Benton’s 123rd annual Labor Day Celebration features three days of events, with proceeds going to the Benton Fire Department.
Events will begin Saturday with the Alumni & Friends Golf Tournament at Cole Acres Country Club, with the shotgun start at 10 a.m. The Benton High School Alumni Banquet will be held at Banfield’s Swiss Haus west of Benton, with doors opening at 4:30 p.m. and the dinner at 6 p.m.
Sunday’s events begin with the annual Parade on Main Street will start at 10:30 a.m. The Benton Public Library will hold a book sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. A craft fair will be held in Village Park from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The rectory used by Fr. Samuel Mazzuchelli next to St. Patrick Catholic Church will be open two hours after the parade. St. Patrick’s will host the pasty dinner at noon.
The Second Generation Band will play at 11:30 a.m. and at the street dance, along with Sunshine, on Main Street from 8 p.m. to midnight. Admission, limited to 21 and older, is a $5 wristband.
Midway games and rides in Village Park will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Village Park will also host bingo from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., a bean bag tournament at noon, puppet making with Sandye Voight at 1 p.m., The Magic of Brian Holt at 2:30 p.m., and duck races at 3:30 p.m. The parade winner will be announced and raffle drawings will be held at 7 p.m.
Swindler’s Ridge Museum on Main Street will be open Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Labor Day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The 1851 Village School House Museum in Village Park will be open Saturday through Labor Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information, go to www.bentonwi.us.
Meanwhile, Holy Ghost Catholic Church will have its annual picnic Sunday, with Kalmes’ chicken and ham served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with carryouts, for $11.50, available until 5 p.m.
Dinners are $10.50 for adults, $9.50 for adults 65 or older, and $5 for children to 10.
A meat paddle raffle will be held at 4 p.m., followed by the parish raffle and a quilt raffle at 5 p.m.
The beer tent will open at noon, with live music from 6 to 10 p.m. Bingo and a bounce house will also be offered.
The 29th Holy Ghost Garage Sale, which opened May 24, will end Sunday. A country store will also be operated, and The Grotto gift shop will be open.
