The 2024 Wagner Labor Day Committee is excited to announce Don and Joan Hubbard as the parade marshals for this year’s Labor Day festivities. Don and Joan have been nominated by their fellow community members and with more than 60 years of service to this community, the Labor Day Committee feels that Don and Joan are extremely deserving of this prestigious honor.

The Hubbards' commitment to service stems back decades to when Don served in the United States Marines, when he was a part of the Vietnam War as an artillery officer. After graduating from pharmacy school and then serving his country, Don and Joan moved to Wagner in 1968. Don was employed as the pharmacist of James Drug, later becoming the owner and operator, while Joan worked for 20 years at the Wagner Community School. The Hubbards are extremely active in their community. Among some of the organizations that Don generously gave his time to were the Wagner American Legion, VFW, Labor Day Committee, Chamber of Commerce, and the Wagner Community Hospital Board. Joan volunteered as a part of the Wagner Community Hospital Auxiliary. The Hubbards are both active members of the Wagner Methodist Church and have served on the church board. Don and Joan are very happy to be able to give back to the community where they raised their two children, Tim and Patti. They look forward to once again serving their community, this time as the 2024 Wagner Labor Day parade marshals.

The Hubbards enjoy living in Wagner because of all of the amazing people they have met and friendships that they have formed over the years. In addition to the people, Don and Joan also enjoy the activities that the area offers. The Hubbards enjoy going to the river as well as camping with friends and family while Don enjoys hunting, fishing, and black-powder shooting. Both Don and Joan agree that their favorite way to spend their free time is with their two children, five grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren, especially during the Labor Day weekend. Don takes great pride in building a float every Labor Day. Some of his favorites were a Mickey Mouse float where Don made the costumes himself and a “Yellow Submarine” in honor of The Beatles. In addition to participating in the parade, Don can be found volunteering at the American Legion concession stand on Main Street where he serves the best boat of nachos this side of the Missouri. Of all the events that take place over Labor Day weekend, the Hubbards agree that their favorite part is spending time with all their friends and family that return to Wagner for the annual celebration. As Don says, “Labor Day is all about family.' When the Hubbards see families reunited over the weekend, it brings them a great sense of satisfaction and feeling of community. Over the upcoming Labor Day weekend, Don and Joan are looking forward to meeting and chatting with all the Labor Day guests. When asked if there was anything that they would like to say to their neighbors for nominating them for the parade marshal honor, Don said that they “were very humbled and have no complaints with such a good life.' As part of their duties as the parade marshals, Don and Joan will be present at many events over the weekend so be sure to stop and thank the Hubbards for their years of service to our community.