Three Stearman biplanes leave trails across a clear blue sky during Galesburg’s Labor Day parade.

GALESBURG, Ill. — Stearman biplanes flew overhead under a clear blue sky as Galesburg celebrated its 133rd annual Labor Day parade on Monday.

Crowds lined Main and Cherry streets as union workers, high school marching bands, political supporters, and others made their way through downtown. The parade took more than an hour to finish.

The Galesburg High School Marching Band performs during the Labor Day parade on Cherry Street.

“It’s historic,” organizer Randy Bryan said moments before the parade kicked off. “More people come to watch this than parades in bigger cities like Peoria.”

The National Stearman Fly-In joins the Labor Day parade at the start of its annual weeklong event in Galesburg.

Bryan said the event draws strength from its local ties. “People come and they see their neighbors. They see workers from the railroad, their postman, the people who build highways. It’s amazing seeing the community come out,” he said.

Retired Ninth Circuit Judge Paul Mangieri announced the parades participants and said he has been involved in the parade in one way or another since 1996, when he marched as a candidate for Knox County state’s attorney.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that it’s grown since 1996,” Mangieri said. “Just look at how people are lining every inch of the street along the entire route.”

Darren Smith, retiring business manager for the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 649, served as grand marshal. He rode in a green military jeep, leading the IUOE, which had the largest contingent in the parade.

Parade grand marshal Darren Smith rides in a green military jeep down Main Street.

Local organizers tout Galesburg’s Labor Day parade as the nation’s longest-running. The claim is disputed, but the parade can still boast a history dating back to 1892, making it Illinois’ oldest continuous Labor Day parade.

Unions represented in the 2025 Galesburg Trades & Labor Assembly Parade

  • International Union of Operating Engineers Local 649
  • Galesburg Firefighters Association Local 555
  • Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Locals 798 and 783
  • Ironworkers Local 111
  • Carpenters Local 237
  • International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Locals 51 and 34
  • American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
  • Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 25
  • Laborers Local 538
  • Operative Plasterers’ and Cement Masons’ International Association
  • National Association of Letter Carriers
  • Teamsters Local 627

Members of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 25 and their families wave to spectators during Galesburg’s Labor Day parade.
The Operative Plasterers’ and Cement Masons’ International Association is represented on Main Street during Galesburg’s Labor Day parade.

Galesburg Mayor Peter Schwartzman smiles and waves from Cherry Street during the Labor Day parade.
2025 Junior Miss Knox County Fair Queen Ella Holland and Little Miss Knox County Fair Queen Paige Pickrel greet spectators during Galesburg’s Labor Day parade.

The Monmouth College Pipe Band plays bagpipes during Galesburg’s Labor Day parade.
Music from the Knoxville High School Marching Band fills the route during Galesburg’s Labor Day parade.
The Galesburg High School color guard adds flair to the Labor Day parade.

Photos by Talbot Fisher and Deborah Moreno/Galesburg Community News