History of Chapman’s Labor Day Celebration

An annual tradition started September 4, 1909 by local merchants. The first celebration was to observe the 20th Anniversary of the opening of Dickinson County High School. Auto and Boat Races were the main attractions of the early Labor Day festivities. The 1912 celebration was highlighted by showing the area’s first moving picture show. In 1920 the merchants raised $6,000 for a rodeo attended by 10,000 people. 1921 was the year of a community pageant with a cast of 600 people.

Labor Day continues to be a major event in Chapman, although not on such a grand scale as past years, as visitors return to take part in the activities and renew acquaintances.

Information provided by Chapman Area Preservation Society