Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026 Issue #363

From Dubois County

Hey Reader,

We received this from Donna Jahn over the weekend and thought we'd share it with you.

Today is Labor Day, and memories of my childhood always surface on this day. I am 78 years old, so those memories go way back. I often wonder how many adults remember the annual Labor Day Box Parades in their Jasper neighborhoods. I do believe this a tradition that was practiced only in the Jasper and/or the Dubois County area.

My memories began on Franklin Street in Jasper. I was fortunate enough to live in a neighborhood with many families that had kids my age. Back then, parents sent their kids outside to play. Watching television occurred only after the streetlights came on and nightly baths were completed. And then we were allowed maybe a 30-60 minute experience with our favorite show.

I remember Labor Day evening was the exception. All neighborhood kids were out after dark pulling their Labor Day boxes up and down the streets as our parents watched from their porches. No treats were distributed (like at Halloween), only the pride and joy of the Labor Day box on display for all to see our creative artwork and originality as we walked up and down the street chanting “Labor Day”.

Most creations were from shoe boxes. Those boxes were new because we all got a new pair of shoes to begin the school year with. Back then, we excitedly recycled our boxes by cutting out windows on the sides and fastening colored, see-through plastic/saran-type coverings. The more colors, the better. A sturdy string was attached to the end of the box for pulling. We would light up the interior with a candle (or a flashlight if your parents were cautious). I was always allowed a candle in my box, and I often would cut a piece out of the box lid to prevent a fire or use no lid at all. But I always loved the thrill of a candle flickering through those colorful windows in my box.

This was a yearly ritual every Labor Day, and after the neighborhood kids would be off to a new school year, we'd still reminisce about who had the best box and who obviously allowed their parents or an older sibling to help them. No admiration there!

I have ALWAYS wondered, as an adult, how that tradition started and why. What immigrant or culture brought that to our hometown?

Now I believe the tradition of the Box Parade has been moved to be an event at the Strassenfest festival in early August. Unfortunately, by removing the tradition from Labor Day, I am assuming the kids no longer chant “Labor Day” while pulling their boxes in the event.

As an adult, while still living in Jasper, we had a cabin on Beaver Lake. While camping out on a Labor Day extended weekend and sitting around the campfire, the adults were reminiscing about our childhood box parade experiences. It was decided (with glee) that on that Labor Day we would reinvent the tradition by decorating our boats. As Labor Day night approached, we slowly drove impromptu decorated boats with lights around Beaver Lake, chanting the words from our youth, adding more words to the chant, calling out “Labor Day Box Parade,” giggling as we heard cheers and clapping coming from the occupied campsites.

Thanks for sharing your memories.

From Dubois County with love.

Matthew and Amy Crane

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