ELKHART, Ind. – A Labor Day Parade took place in Elkhart on Monday – an event that celebrated the holiday while honoring the local Elkhart community.

Several public officials attended the parade as the marching bands from Elkhart Memorial and Elkhart Central High Schools were there to enhance the festivities.

The Elkhart Police and Fire Departments were also there to celebrate alongside the community.

The parade also featured a number of events, and among them was the popular watermelon giveaway.

“We’re watermelon farmers in Niles, Michigan,” said Ed Kerlikoske, an local resident. “We go to church at first Baptist in Bristol and this is our giving back to the community, an engagement basically, and we’re handing out about twelve hundred and fifty watermelon to the community for free.”

The parade began at 11 a.m. Monday morning.