Free Labor Day picnic today

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Fort Wayne's free Labor Day Annual event, which started in 1982, is officially sponsored by the Northeast Indiana Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO. But the cost – about $14,000 – is covered with donations from various local unions and businesses.

The picnic moved downtown to Headwaters Park in 2008.

The public is welcome to attend and enjoy free food and drinks, including beer, soda and milk. Any leftover food is donated to a local food bank.

The event, scheduled until 4 p.m. Monday, also includes activities for children.

About 100 volunteers last year served 100 gallons of chili, more than 7,000 hot dogs, chips, ice cream, Mexican and Burmese food to a crowd estimated at more than 6,000.

sslater@jg.net