The Fox Valley Area Labor Council celebrated its 43rd annual parade and festival on Monday. Sept. 7, 2026. PC: Fox 11 Online
NEENAH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The Fox Valley Area Labor Council celebrated the holiday with its 43rd annual parade and festival in Neenah and Menasha.
The event began with a parade from downtown Menasha to downtown Neenah at 10 a.m. and continued with a festival at the Neenah Labor Temple from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“The Valley here is big when it comes to working class from all the paper mills and other industry that are here,” said Council President Jason Schmitz. “So this is just a way for us to give back and show our appreciation to the workers.”
Just last week, a recent Gallup poll showed Americans’ approval of labor unions matched a 67-year high at 71%.
“People are starting to realize that labor unions are the ones that are getting the pay raises and the benefits,” said Schmitz. “And other businesses compete with business that have them.”
Schmitz said unions raise the overall compensation and conditions for workers even in competing businesses.
Event also raised money for Volunteer Fox Cities, St. Joseph’s Food Pantry
Organizers collected donations for tornado relief through two of the Fox Cities’ major charitable organizations.
- Click here to donate to St. Joseph Food Program
- Click here to donate to the Tornado Relief Fund through Volunteer Fox Cities and United Way
“I’ve got coworkers that have been affected by it,” said Schmitz. “People, friends and family that were affected by it. This is something that’s going to be, they’re going to need help for years to come.”
The event otherwise carried on as normal, now six weeks after the tornado.
“I’ve seen a lot of families that I’ve seen all summer through different events that I’ve done,” said Hron. “And it’s just nice to go ahead and just ask how you’re doing, how’s everything going, especially if they did live in the affected areas.”
What Labor Day means to labor union council president
“It’s basically being thankful,” said Schmitz. “I’ve got a job. I’ve got a group, a tight group of people that I can sit here and relate to and work with.”
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