This annual Kamloops and District Labour Council Labour Day Picnic in Kamloops features booths from many of the local unions. They provided many giveaways, fruit, candy, soft drinks and information. There are bouncy castles and local sports teams interacting with the children. This year the Kamloops Storm were out in full force.

There is a barbecue with food at very reasonable prices. The proceeds go to a charity. Everyone gets a ticket and is eligible to win prizes that are drawn all day.

There was also live music. This year the Dave Coalmine Band provided the entertainment. The band consisted of Dave Coalmine guitar & vocals, Alan Forseth bass, Wade Dupont on drums and Gary Mockford on guitar. Coalmine said if they played the full four hours, they would need 42 songs.

Knowing Dave, he would have no problem doing it. I could only hang out for a short time. I heard a couple of country tunes. The audience was very appreciative of their versions of “Ring of Fire” from the Johnny Cash catalogue and “Old Town Road” from Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus. Soon after Coalmine gave us a whistling lesson while performing “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay,” which was a huge hit for the late Otis Redding.

Later they played “Sugar Sugar” by the Archies and “Happy Together” from The Turtles.
The weather was fine, the messages from the unions were readily available, many people won prizes, the air smelled of burgers and the tunes were good. That made for another successful Kamloops and District Labour Council Picnic.