Labor Day at The Post on Monday, Sept. 7, in Fort Oglethorpe will feature a new parade route and a nationally-acclaimed performer.

The parade will begin at 11 a.m. at Kmart at the corner of Battlefield Parkway and LaFayette Road, instead of at City Hall.

The parade will end at Harker Road.

Chris McKeever, 6th Cavalry Museum director, said the new route will be safer.

By avoiding Battlefield Parkway, police officers will have a smaller area to control and traffic will not be as disrupted.

She said the people in the parade will also be more comfortable because they will have a shorter distance to walk.

While the parade participants cannot throw candy to the spectators, McKeever said volunteers will be walking down the line handing out donated candy as well as 1,500 Moon Pies and Little Debbies.

In recognition of Fort Oglethorpe’s 60th anniversary, the grand marshal of the parade will be city officials. The city float will have current and previous city officials, like judges, fire chiefs and commission members.

The theme for this year’s parade, “Past times at The Post,” encourages parade entrants to incorporate the city’s heritage in their decor. Parade colors are red, white and blue.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three entries.

After the parade, the festivities move to the polo field on Barnhardt Circle until 5 p.m.

McKeever said she was excited to have a national star like T. Graham Brown, a Christian country singer, at the festival.

“He’s not just country,” McKeever said. “He’s bluesy and soul.”

Brown has written ten Top-Ten country hits, a Country Music Association award and a long list of national radio and television ads. He also sings commercial jingles for companies including Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Budweiser, Ford Trucks, Harrah’s Casinos and 7-Up.

McKeever said she’s expecting an increase in military vehicles in the parade and on display. She’s been working with the Military Vehicle Preservation Association of Georgia and Tennessee.

“That’s the living history side of what we do,” she said.

Also on the polo field will be local arts and crafts as well as the Kids’ Play Zone, which includes a petting zoo, pony rides, and inflatables.

Because the museum staff works at the Labor Day celebration, the 6th Cavalry Museum will be closed on Sept. 7.

The Labor Day event started in 1953 as a fund-raiser for the Post Volunteer Fire Department selling barbeque plates and hosting family friendly activities.

Entertainment schedule

11 a.m. - Parade

Noon - Guvment Cheeze Band

12:50 p.m. - Parade winners announced

1 p.m. - National Anthem

1:15 p.m. - Booger Holler

2:30 p.m. - T. Graham Brown

4 p.m. - Sky Dog Rock Band