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Merrill’s Labor Day Parade

By Tina L. Scott
September 8, 2022
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TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR

“Please stand in honor of the flag.” In small-town America, like here in Merrill, parades still begin with the American flag and a show of respect for both the flag and all those who fought to protect it and all that it stands for. Tina L. Scott photo.
The Merrill Fire Department was the perfect vehicle for the Fire Pup to ride along. Fire Pup is waving from the bucket of Truck 63 beside Merrill Fire Chief Josh Klug. Merrill, Town of Russell, Town of Corning, Town of Pine River, and Hamburg all had fire truck entries in the parade. Tina L. Scott photo.
The Merrill Aqua Jays Swim Team were making bubbles with their parade entry. Tina L. Scott photo.
The Lions Club float featured an accordion-playing lion. Tina L. Scott photo.
For the kids, scrambling for candy thrown from floats is one of the highlights of a parade. Tina L. Scott photo.

Young families with children ready to collect candy lined the parade route for Merrill’s annual Labor Day Parade on Monday, Sept. 5, 2022, and they weren’t disappointed. Many floats this year tossed everything from Tootsie Rolls to gum and dum dum suckers and all kinds of tiny, individually wrapped treats. But kids weren’t the only ones who came out to enjoy a beautiful sunny day and a hometown parade. There were plenty of older but “young at heart” folks lining the streets, as well.
Along with politicians and political floats, some local businesses got into the act, and there were lots of kids and adults walking along as part of parade entries, as well. Sports were well represented, with the Merrill kids coming out to highlight Merrill hockey and soccer, the Aqua Jays, and the new Merrill Bandits adult Football Team was in the parade, as well.

The Leidiger Brewing Co. truck reminds parade goers of a piece of Merrill history. The Leidiger Brewing Company was located at 1609 River Street in Merrill, started in 1896, and closed due to prohibition in 1920, then re-opened when prohibition ended in 1933 and closed again in 1948. At it’s peak, it produced 15,000 barrels annually. Tina L. Scott photo.
A line-up of antique and vintage automobiles reminded some area residents of years gone by when such vehicles were an everyday occurrence on Merrill streets, although many models were a little before the time of many parade goers! Tina L. Scott photo.
Remember when cars used to have fins? The fad didn’t last that long, but it sure did look cool. Tina L. Scott photo.
Grace & Sophie’s Pumpkin Patch float reminded parade goers that autumn is just around the corner, with corn mazes, pumpkin picking, and other fall fun soon to come. Tina L. Scott photo.
Some area businesses entered floats in the parade, like the Polka-Dotted Pie, which had two displays including this blue and green polka-dotted float and another featuring giant pies. Tina L. Scott photo.
Operating Engineers Local 139 made their appearance in the parade on a flatbed truck. Tina L. Scott photo.


Other floats and parade entries highlighted the local horse riders clubs, square dancing, racing teams, the Haunted Sawmill, Lions Club, and United Way, among others. Fire Departments from around the area showcased their bright and shiny red engines, and the Fire Pup was high above the onlookers in the bucket of the Merrill Fire Department’s engine along with Fire Chief Josh Klug.
Vintage and collectible automobiles drove in the parade, and most of them headed straight for the Merrill Festival Grounds to be a part of the Lions Club Car Show right after the parade.
And, of course, the Merrill High School Marching Jays band were marching to the beat of their own drummers in the Merrill Labor Day Parade and were a fan favorite for parade goers.
The Merrill Police Department closed down streets, kept things flowing smoothly, and orchestrated the safe execution of this year’s parade, as they have in years past. While they might not be an entry in the parade, it’s notable that the parade couldn’t take place without them, so thanks to the men and women in blue who participated in the parade in a way that made it possible for everyone else present to enjoy the event!

Merrill’s Square ‘Em Up dance club, unique in that it is made up almost entirely of youth, put on a traveling dance show on their parade float, with twirling skirts and crinolines. Tina L. Scott photo.
Merrill High School’s Marching Jays are alwys a fan favorite in the parade, with twirling flags, synchronized marching, and music to get the crowd’s feet tapping. Tina L. Scott photo.
The Merrill High School Marching Jays march to the beat of their own drums in the Merrill Labor Day Parade, pounding out the beat to Pat Benatar’s Hit Me With Your Best Shot. Tina L. Scott photo.
Riders with the Underdown Horse Club were the final entry in the Merrill Labor Day Parade, showcasing their beautiful horses and promoting the nearby Underdown Horse Trails available for riding. Tina L. Scott photo.
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