TUSCUMBIA (AP) — Democrat Ron Sparks and Republican Robert Bentley took advantage of Labor Day activities as they kicked off the fall campaign for governor.

Bentley and Sparks face each other in the Nov. 2 general election.

The Birmingham News reported that Sparks spoke in front of hundreds of labor union members at the 88th annual Labor Day Picnic at Spring Park in Tuscumbia.

Sparks told the crowd he loves coming to the event because the participants understand the working man in Alabama.

Bentley started the day campaigning at Mule Day festivities in Ider and later entered the Moon Pie eating contest during Labor Day festivities at Tannehill State Park near Bessemer.

Bentley told the crowd at Tannehill that people are looking for leadership to lead the state out of the economic doldrums and to help create jobs.