PANA — The Pana Labor Day Parade Committee has announced they will honor front-line workers in the COVID-19 pandemic by making several nurses from local health care facilities Grand Marshals of the Pana Labor Day Parade. The parade steps off Monday morning, Sept. 6, at 10:00 a.m.
Theme of this year’s parage is “Standing Strong.”
“Our theme represents the struggles we have been through as a community and a nation during the past year -and-a-half and the committee felt those who are battling this disease deserve the recognition,” Parade Chairman Josh Ishmael said. “We have asked Pana Community Hospital and the two local nursing homes to pick a representative of all the front-line workers from each of the facilities.”
Ishmael also said other front-line workers from those institutions are encouraged to be part of the parade and walk behind them.
The parade, the largest parade on Labor Day in downstate Illinois, is returning after a year’s absence due to COVID.
“The committee recognizes the current resurgence of the disease and they are asking everyone to observe good hygene and as much as they can, social distance along the parade route,” Ishmael said. “We understand the differing views out there, but the parade is not a political event and we don’t want it to be made as such. If you want to wear a mask, wear a mask. We should all respect the decisions made by those who will be in attendance on Monday, plain and simple. The whole idea is to enjoy the parade and celebrate those who have worked so hard to keep our community safe.”
