We hate to provide a reminder that Labor Day and the end of summer are quickly approaching, but they are, and we will.

That being the case, make plans to attend Labor Day celebrations around the state. 
On Monday, Sept. 1, Labor Day celebrations are planned in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Marquette and Muskegon.

The Detroit parade kicks off at 9:30 a.m., with the building trades lining up as usual along Trumbull, south of Michigan Ave. Members of the laborers will lead, followed by the elevator constructors, pipe trades, cement masons/plasterers, iron workers, roofers, painters and allied trades, boilermakers, sheet metal workers, bricklayers/tile masons, asbestos workers, electricians and operating engineers.

This year the march will proceed east on Michigan Ave. to Washington Blvd. and then across Jefferson Ave. to the newly completed Labor Legacy Monument. The parade's theme: "American by birth, union by choice."

In Grand Rapids, parade-goers can gather at John Ball Park between 8 and 9 a.m., where buses will take participants to the staging area at Winter and Fulton streets. The parade starts at 10 a.m. After the parade a picnic will take place at John Ball Park.

In Marquette, the 2003 Labor Day Festival will start with an 11 a.m. parade along Third Street, followed by a picnic and other activities at Mattson Lower Harbor Park.

In Muskegon, the West Michigan United Labor Day Parade will start at 11 a.m. The staging area is at Pere Marquette Park in conjunction with the Shoreline Spectacular. A picnic at the park will follow the parade.