Essex Labor Day Celebration returns Sept. 4–7 with circus, bull riding, derby and fireworks

The town of about 722 people is again packing four days of events into one long weekend, Friday, Sept. 4, through Monday, Sept. 7. Nelson, Essex’s community development director and executive director of the Essex Community Club, said the celebration keeps drawing crowds because organizers keep adding things other towns do not offer — and because local sponsors keep the ticket prices low.

“There’s no way we could have as many events as we do and offer those for free or low cost if we didn’t have the wonderful sponsors that we do,” Nelson said. Most activities are free. The handful of ticketed events, she said, are about $10.

This year’s grand marshals are Todd and Becky Franks. Honorary grand marshal is Joanne Pierce, a longtime Page County dispatcher Nelson described as “that calm voice on the other end of the phone when people are having their worst day.”

More information

Confirm last-minute times and weather changes with Essex City Hall, (712) 379-3444, or email Tess Nelson at director@essexiowa.com.

Watch City of Essex and Essex Community Club pages and social media for updates.