Hip-Hip Hooray — Let’s Have a Parade! Catlettsburg Gears Up for Its 58th Annual Labor Day Celebration

Hip-Hip Hooray — Let’s Have a Parade!

Catlettsburg Gears Up for Its 58th

Annual Labor Day Celebration

Sasha Bush

The Ashland Beacon

Catlettsburg, Kentucky is once again rolling out the red carpet—not for celebrities, but for neighbors, family, friends, and anyone lucky enough to join the festivities. As summer winds down, one thing remains certain: Catlettsburg knows how to close the season in style with its annual Labor Day Celebration. With more than five decades of tradition behind it, this beloved event isn’t just a parade—it’s the heartbeat of a community that takes immense pride in its heritage, people, and spirit.

“I believe this is the 58th parade, well over 55 years,” said Catlettsburg Mayor, Faith Day. “Catlettsburg’s Labor Day Parade is more than just a celebration—it’s a cherished tradition that brings our community together like a big hometown reunion.”

And what a reunion it is. Thousands of residents and visitors are expected to flood the streets, as they do every year, drawn in by the promise of good food, great music, fun for the whole family, and—of course—that irreplaceable small-town warmth. “We always have big crowds,” Mayor Day added. “I would say we have between 1,000–3,000 in attendance every year… It's always like one big 'Catlettsburg' reunion… oh, and you have to get a corndog!

The history of Catlettsburg’s Labor Day festivities runs deep. It’s a day residents circle on their calendars and a weekend that builds anticipation like no other. What started as a local parade has grown into a full-blown, five-day celebration with activities ranging from fitness events to food fests, and gospel music to fireworks.

This year’s theme? “Hip Hip Hooray—Let’s Have a Parade!” And that’s just the beginning.

A Full Weekend of Events

Thursday, August 28 – Kicking Things Off with Heart and Hustle• 7 p.m: 7th Annual Gate City 5K(Presented by Ashland Kiwanis Breakfast Club, starting at Catlettsburg Municipal Building)

Saturday, August 30 – Family, Food, and Front Row FunAt 26th Street & Riverfront:• 9 a.m: – 1 p.m: Jeep Jam• 1 p.m: KenDucky Derby• 2 p.m: Farm to Fork• 6 p.m: Dinner & Live Music featuring Holly Forbes, Baylee Morgan & David Austin

At Catlettsburg Harvest Church of God, 36th Street:• 7 p.m: Pro Wrestling Show at the Thomas C. Mullins Family Life Center

Sunday, August 31 – Music and MemoriesAt Catlettsburg Elementary:• 3 p.m. – 5 p.m: Thomas R. Brown / CHS Class Reunion

At the Courthouse (2800 Louisa St):• 4:30 p.m: Gospel Music by Jay Humphreys Trio(Presented by England Hill Free Will Baptist Church – bring your own chair!)

Monday, September 1 – The Main Event!The heart of the celebration kicks off early and runs all day long:• 8:30 a.m: Parade Line-up at Oakland Avenue Baptist Church• 10:00 a.m: Labor Day Parade

• Grand Marshal: Glorious Colvin Hensley

• Honorees: CJHS Class of 1975

• Emceed by Andrew Greene

• Invocation by Rev. Bruce Lee, Catlettsburg Community Church

• National Anthem & “My Old Kentucky Home” by Cindy Sullivan

From there, the day explodes with activity:• 8 a.m. – 4 p.m: Craft & Food Vendors• 11 a.m: Free Inflatables and Carnival Opens (26th Street)• 11 a.m. – 5 p.m: Live Music on Courthouse Stage

• Crosstowne Band (11 a.m.)

• MockingJean (1 p.m.)

• Kyle Tipton (2:30 p.m.)

• Griffin Mason & Greg Taylor (4 p.m.)

A particularly meaningful moment will take place at 11:45 a.m., with the dedication of the basketball court at Pauline Hunt Park in honor of hometown athlete Bailey Rucker—a proud moment of recognition for a local star.

As the sun sets, the energy turns up at the Main Stage:• 6 p.m: Laid Back Country Picker• 7 p.m: Hammertowne• 8 p.m: Brent Cobb

And then—drumroll, please—wrap it all up with fireworks lighting up the sky at 9:15 p.m., sponsored by the City of Catlettsburg, City of Kenova, City of South Point, and Boyd County Tourism.

Whether it’s watching the parade roll down Louisa Street, catching up with old friends, cheering during the Jeep Jam, grabbing a funnel cake, or singing along at a gospel concert, one thing is clear: Catlettsburg knows how to throw a party with heart.

“This celebration is a part of who we are,” said Mayor Day. “It’s about pride, connection, and the joy of being home.”

So, bring a chair, bring a friend, and bring your appetite for fun—because in Catlettsburg, Labor Day isn’t just a day off. It’s a day to come together and celebrate everything that makes this hometown shine.

See you at the parade… and don’t forget the corndogs!