HERMITAGE, Pa. - The Shenango Valley's premier Labor Day event returns to Buhl Park for its 37th consecutive year.

Buhl Day kicks off today  with a memorial service at 9 a.m. in Oakwood Cemetery honoring Frank and Julia Buhl.

Some of the most popular annual events include a car show and a mermaid show at the pool with synchronized swimming performances.

A 5K race will be from the PNC Bank near Kraynak's into the park.

A parade beginning at Kraynak's will follow past the Hermitage Towne Plaza and into the park.

Buhl Park will also have music, live entertainment, children's games and activities, inflatable rides, petting zoo, pony rides, puppet shows, and an art and photography show.

Admission is free to everyone.

Donations will be accepted on event day at the Buhl Day booth on Pokorney Drive near the Performing Arts Center.

Buhl Day began in 1916 when Frank H. Buhl gave his employees the day off on Labor Day and his employees thanked him by parading past his house into the park that he gave to the community.

The celebration went on hiatus during World War II and did not resume again until 1979 when volunteers revived the program.

The full schedule for the day is:

9 a.m.
F.H. Buhl Memorial Service — Oakwood Cemetary Chapel

9:15 a.m.
Buhl Community Recreation Center's 5K Run — PNC Bank parking lot, Kerrwood Drive

9:30 a.m.
Parade — Kerrwood Drive and East State Street

11 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Art and Photography Exhibit — Casino second floor

11:30 a.m.
Tammy O'Marrie — Performing Arts Center

12-4 p.m.
Classic Car Cruise-In — Center Road

12:15 p.m.
Opening ceremony — Performing Arts Center

1 p.m.
Buhl Mermaids — Casino Pool
Shenango Valley Dance Club — Choral PAC
Michael's Balloons — Performing Arts Center

1-3 p.m.
Dragonfly Balloon Sculptures — Casino Porch

1:10 p.m.
Shenango Valley Chorale — Performing Arts Center

1:45 p.m.
Children's Theatre — Activities Building

2 p.m.
Border Ride — Performing Arts Center
Whalen Family Singers — Choral PAC

2:30-5 p.m.
Inflatable Fun for ages 1-3 — Performing Arts Center Area
Inflatable Fun and Rock Climbing for ages 4-10 — Performing Arts Center Area
Petting Zoo for ages 4-12 — Pokorney Drive

3-5 p.m.
Pony Rides for ages 1-10 — Pokorney Drive

3 p.m.
Young Brothers Tae Kwon Do — Choral PAC

3:30 p.m.
Buhl Mermaids — Casino Pool
Dough Butchy Big Band — Performing Arts Center

4 p.m.
Fuzzy Pandas Music Group — Choral PAC

5 p.m.
Cloverleaf Squares — Choral PAC
Sound Bites — Performing Arts Center