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This year marks the 125th annual Labor Day celebration for the Wagner community. This year’s four days of events begin on Friday, August 29th and continue through Monday, September 1st. As with any small-town celebration, there are always two big announcements that kick off the festivities. These include the parade’s theme (“Red, White & Retro”) and who is named the parade marshals. This year’s Labor Day Committee bestowed the honor of being the 2025 Labor Day parade marshals to Don and Doris Hosek. Doris (Slaba) was born and raised in Wagner, while Don was born and raised in the nearby Platte/Academy area. The couple first met at a dance in Pickstown. Don was fresh out of college and called one of his cousins from Armour to go out to a dance. The cousin wanted to go to a dance in Pickstown, Don was a bit reluctant but ended up going. While there he met Doris. He did not remember her name, but they talked for a bit and ended up dancing their first dance together to the slow song, “My Girl”. After the dance Don asked if he could take Doris home and then walked her up to her parents’ front door. Somehow, he ended up accidentally pushing the doorbell repeatedly until Doris’ dad finally yelled from their living room, “Get off the doorbell.” They dated for a year and a half which included writing letters back and forth while Don was overseas in the Vietnam War for 366 days. This year marks 54 years together, “going on forever” according to Don. Don said, “It does not get any better than marrying your best friend.” Throughout the years what the Hosek’s have enjoyed about being a part of the Wagner community is the small-town atmosphere with the “most wonderful people” and the variety of community activities. Neither one of them could imagine living anywhere else, but Wagner. Service to the Wagner community is nothing new to Hosek’s as they have been very actively involved throughout the years. They have both been past members of the Labor Day Committee and members of the Wagner Chamber of Commerce Don served on the Wagner School Board for ten years, as a city councilman for six years, was mayor, and served on the Dante Lake Club, Doris taught CCD and served as an Alter Society Officer. Doris also helped get pre-registration for the Labor Day parade started. After they first were married, the Hosek’s moved to Kansas for a year before moving back to Wagner. When they moved back, Don continued his service in the National Guard, eventually serving for 38 years and becoming the South Dakota National Guard’s Head of Food Service for the entire state. He was also the chairman of the Philip Conley Award which sent him across the county to judge mess halls in the field. In addition to his many years of military service and dedication, Don also worked for the Charles-Mix County Soil Conservation office for 33 years as well as owned Don’s Dust Control. Doris began her working career after moving back to Wagner as a kindergarten aide for the old Methodist Church. She eventually began to work for Jeannette Williams from whom she eventually bought the Town and County Salon from. Not only did Doris own and operate the salon for 38 years, but during that time she was also a South Dakota Cosmetology State Board Inspector. When it comes to Labor Day, the couple have different favorite events. For Don, the best part of Labor Day is seeing all the creative parade floats each year. Doris’ favorite part is playing BINGO. As the couple served on the Labor Day Committee (Don in 1984-1986 and Doris in 1988-1990), there have been many changes to the Labor Day festivities since their service. The couple can remember having to move the bleachers to all the different events throughout the weekend and are thankful that that is no longer an issue for the current Labor Day Committee. During their years there were tractor pulls, water fights and their favorite a Very Important Person (VIP) Dinner. The VIP dinner invited mayors from local towns, dignitaries, band instructors, event winners, the Labor Day Committee, etc. to all come together, build bonds and enjoy an evening together. When asked what it means to the Hosek’s to be named this year’s Labor Day parade marshals, they said that they were very surprised and very honored to be chosen. The Hosek’s would like to thank the Wagner community and the Labor Day Committee for bestowing them this honor. Their favorite parts of Labor Day over the years have become seeing all the local people come back for the celebration and having their own children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren come back to Wagner for Labor Day weekend. Joining the Hosek’s during this year’s Labor Day celebration will be their children Kristin (Randy), Kelley (Ashley), and Kyle (Jessica); their grandchildren KaMeesha (Greg), Brandis (Ryan), Shada, Reidel, Lily, Izzy, Ellie, Noah, Cayle and Avery; and their great-grandchildren Malaya and Boden. Over the years the Hosek’s have had many hobbies including community service, golf, softball, boating, water skiing, camping, growing flowers, traveling, watching television and playing cards and games. Congratulations Don and Doris for being honored as the 2025 Labor Day parade marshals!