Barberton is gearing up for its 2026 Labor Day weekend, and the city wants would-be parade participants to know the clock is ticking. Applications to march, drive, or roll through downtown in the Barberton Labor Day Parade close on Friday, Aug. 21, with the parade itself set for Monday, Sept. 7, at 10 a.m.
The full slate of festivities kicks off two days earlier, on Saturday, Sept. 5, when Nashville recording artist and Barberton native Mark Leach takes the stage at the Lake Anna Gazebo at 7 p.m., according to the City of Barberton. A fireworks display over the lake follows at approximately 9 p.m., closing out the concert night. The city detailed the full weekend schedule, along with the parade application window, in a post from the City of Barberton on Facebook.
Parade organizers are inviting a wide range of entries this year, including award-winning floats, classic car fleets, marching groups, and other community showcases, per the same city announcement. Anyone hoping to join the Monday morning procession needs to get an application in before the Aug. 21 cutoff.
Lake Anna Park Anchors the Weekend
Both the concert and fireworks are staged at Lake Anna Park, the 21-acre green space that has long served as downtown Barberton’s civic gathering spot. The park surrounds a 10-acre natural glacial kettle lake named for Anna Laura Barber, daughter of city founder O.C. Barber, according to Wikipedia. The gazebo there has hosted the city’s free summer concert series throughout the season, including a recent show from reggae trio The Ark Band’s free Lake Anna show, part of programming the city’s Parks and Recreation Department funds through community donations and municipal support…