Elkhart Mayor Roberson credits its working class in annual Labor Day Parade for city's tremendous growth

ELKHART, Ind. -- Firetruck horns blaring signified the beginning of the Elkhart Labor Day Parade.

This morning you could hear all the sights sounds and plenty of horns blaring, but Mayor Rod Roberson said this day signifies the future. Mayor Roberson says it's a city of growth that relies heavily on the hardworking members of its community.

“We are excited about the future, but we cannot get there without the worker of today, "said Mayor Rod Roberson, the Mayor of Elkhart

The parade featured local businesses and of course law enforcement and fire to blare the horns. Parade coordinator Karla Schwartz is in her thirteenth year and it's still just as sweet for her to see the parade in action after months of preparation.

“I love it when a plan comes together, and I have good people helping me. I have my check in person. I have the Indiana patriot guard that helps keep everybody in line,” said Karla Schwartz. And for her getting those to partake in the annual tradition is a domino effect.

“When one group gets a hold of me, they’ll call others. So, I've been really lucky with that.” Schwartz continued. And the community is continuing to grow thanks to an initiative called the Aspire Elkhart 2024 Plan focused on infrastructure investment.

“That’s growth in housing. Growth in people. Growth in the value of the houses that currently exist. Ensuring that we have a city that’s attractive and it’s a quality place that continues to become vibrant,” said Mayor Roberson.

But all that cannot happen without the core of Elkhart that Karla Schwartz appreciates and credits for the city’s development, the working class.

“Thank you for what you do and thank you for making Elkhart what it is because without him, we wouldn’t be one,” Schwartz said.