BEND, Ore. | Central Oregon union members, their families and supporters will gather at Alpenglow Park in Bend on Monday, September 7, for the annual Central Oregon Labor Day Picnic.

The Labor Day gathering is scheduled from noon to 3 p.m. at the park’s picnic shelter at 61049 SE 15th St. Organizers with the Central Oregon Labor Chapter are inviting union members and their families to spend the holiday together while recognizing the work and achievements of the local labor community.

Food, Family Activities and Guest Speakers

The Labor Day picnic will feature free food and drinks, with both meat and vegetarian options available to attendees.

Organizers are also planning appearances by guest speakers, including local union members who will share their experiences and invited local and state leaders who support labor initiatives in Central Oregon.

The event is designed as a family gathering rather than a formal conference. Alpenglow Park offers open lawn areas, a playground and a splash pad, and organizers are encouraging attendees to bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets.

The picnic shelter is reserved for the event, while the surrounding park provides additional space for families to gather.

Labor Day Takes on a Local Focus

Labor Day is traditionally associated with a day off from work and the unofficial end of summer, but organized labor groups across the country also use the holiday to recognize workers and highlight workplace issues.

In Central Oregon, the annual picnic has become a recurring gathering point for union members and local officials. The event has previously featured discussions about organized labor, working conditions and issues affecting employees in the region.

The 2026 gathering continues that tradition at Alpenglow Park.

Local Leaders Have Previously Drawn Attention

The Central Oregon Labor Day Picnic has also produced newsworthy political moments in previous years.

In 2023, Bend City Councilor Anthony Broadman announced his campaign for an Oregon state Senate seat during the Labor Day gathering at Alpenglow Park. The announcement came in front of union members and supporters and received coverage from local television station KTVZ.

The picnic also brought union members and local officials together in 2024, when speakers discussed labor achievements and issues facing working people in Central Oregon.

That history makes the 2026 gathering worth watching beyond its role as a holiday picnic. Organizers have again invited local and state leaders, although no specific major political announcement has been confirmed for this year’s event.

A Longstanding Central Oregon Labor Tradition

Labor Day gatherings organized by the Central Oregon labor community have been held in the Bend area for years.

Earlier versions of the event were held at other Bend parks, including Pioneer Park, before the gathering became associated with Alpenglow Park. Labor organizations have traditionally used the event as an opportunity for union members, families and supporters to meet outside the workplace and celebrate the labor movement.

The tradition reflects the broader role of Labor Day as a holiday centered on American workers and the labor movement.

What to Know Before the Picnic

The Central Oregon Labor Day Picnic will take place Monday, September 7, from noon to 3 p.m. at Alpenglow Park in Bend.

The event is being hosted by the Central Oregon Labor Chapter with the Oregon Labor Federation, AFL-CIO. Free food and drinks will be available, and organizers are asking attendees to RSVP with an estimated guest count to help plan for the gathering.

The event also offers accessible restrooms, dedicated seating and accessible parking, according to organizers. Families are welcome to bring children and enjoy the park’s playground and splash pad during the afternoon.

Why the Event Could Draw Attention

The Central Oregon Labor Day Picnic is more than a holiday barbecue. Its combination of union members, working families, labor representatives and invited public officials gives the gathering a civic dimension.

With local and state leaders expected to attend, the event could also provide an opportunity for new comments or announcements about issues affecting workers in Central Oregon.

For Bend, the September 7 gathering offers a local look at how the Labor Day holiday is being marked by the region’s organized labor community while continuing a tradition that has brought workers and public officials together for years.