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Steamboat Springs — After initial fears that the Labor Day festivities in Oak Creek would wane this year, the Labor Day Committee has come up with an extensive schedule and more than $3,000 in donations for a live auction.

Labor Day Committee President Judy Deming initially thought the events would be scaled back this year as people traveled out of town for the holiday, but throughout weeks of organizing, she and the committee have come up with a full schedule of events for the Oak Creek tradition.

"We're just trying to go back to the way it used to be, to make it an old country-town Labor Day," Deming said.

That means there will be no beer in Decker Park during the events, and most importantly to Deming, the children's events, including games, bubbles and a fishing derby on Saturday, will be free.

"They used to make $250 off the kiddie fun fair, and I said I'll find donations for that," committee Vice President Sandy Wisecup said.

Wisecup said it was important to this year's committee to not scale back the town's signature events.

"I said there's going to be a parade, and Judy said there's going to be a fishing derby," Wisecup said.

The fishing derby, hosted by the Colorado Division of Wildlife, includes a stocked creek near Decker Park, where children can learn about fishing and pick up a free fishing rod to try their hand at landing the big one.

If the kids catch a fish - and Deming said there are very good odds with the number of fish that will be stocked - the fish is measured, cleaned and packed on ice for the children.

This year also will have the return of a live auction for a fundraiser. Beth Wisceup, who is organizing the auction, has a list of dozens of donated items that will be offered.

Among the top-dollar items are a $800 golfing package at Catamount Ranch and Club, a $300 bug zapper, paintings, quilts, a grinder from Ace Hardware and an orbit sander from Steamboat Lumber.

This year's parade marshals will be Bill and Virginia Paxton of Spiro's Tradin' Post.