CATLETTSBURG — The annual Labor Day Parade drew hundreds to the Gate City on Monday for the long-honored tradition.

Generations of Catlettsburg natives and other Tri-State area residents gather each year on the city streets to watch the procession of local labor union floats, fire engines, police cruisers and marching bands wind through town. This year was no different.

“It’s a homecoming. It’s been something I’ve been doing since I was a little boy, so it’s still a tradition to do,” said 41-year-old Tim Duvall, a Catlettsburg native who now lives in Raceland. “It’s just part of you when you grow up in Catlettsburg,” he said.

Duvall and his wife, Sandra, said they have been bringing their two children, Kyndall, 4, and Landen, 6, to the parade since they were born.

Landen said his favorite parts were “the police cars and fire trucks.” Kyndall said she enjoyed “the girls in the band all dressed up.”

Tim Duvall said he misses the old days of the festival when there used to be more games and races. He recalled winning the tricycle race when he was five years old. “I wish it was still like that,” he said.

Farther down the street four generations of Lisa Culp’s family were clearly enjoying their afternoon.

Lisa Culp, 49, of Ashland, said her family has also been coming to the parade for decades. “It doesn’t matter how many years you are gone away, you always find your way back,” she said of her hometown’s celebration. “It’s a family. It’s just a tight knit community.”

“When you come up here on Labor Day you rekindle old friendships, talk to people you haven’t seen in a long time ... It’s a tradition.”

Pointing to her grandchildren scrambling for candy in the street, she said, “Twenty-two years ago, that was my son and nephew standing out there.”

Frances Hughes, of Catlettsburg, had another reason for bringing her grandchildren, Preston, Quentin, and Aryan. “This is history. It’s history in the making. It’s been here for years and years. I want them to see history. You don’t get this (at) many places anymore.”

CARRIE KIRSCHNER can be reached at ckirschner@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2653.