August 31, 2026
By Rachel Scofield
For generations of Pickerington families, Labor Day has meant more than the unofficial end of summer. It has meant lining the streets for the parade, then gathering at Victory Park to enjoy the Pickerington Lions Club’s annual Fish Fry.
This year’s celebration will take place Monday, Sept. 7.
“The Labor Day Parade and Fish Fry is the longest continuing tradition in Pickerington,” said Past President Brian Fox. “The Lions have been running it since 1949. Before that, another group ran it as a ‘homecoming’ starting in 1911.”
Hosting the event is an important responsibility.
“We believe that simple community traditions are worth keeping,” Fox said. “The Lions consider this a ‘Community Service’ and not just a fundraiser. As such, we’ll keep on frying fish on Labor Days to come.”
The day begins with the Labor Day Parade at 10 a.m., stepping off from Opportunity Way. This year’s grand marshal is former Violet Township Trustee Terry Dunlap Sr., who Fox said was selected in recognition of his decades of local service.
“Terry has been an active part and leader of Pickerington’s and Violet Township’s growth and betterment for decades,” Fox said. “He’s given a lot of his time, sweat and tears in serving his fellow residents. We thought that his record of service should be honored.”
Following the parade, the celebration moves to Victory Park for the Fish Fry from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., sponsored by Capitol Fence. BSA Troop 1147 will help prepare and serve the fish.
For those who aren’t fans of seafood, the Lions will offer hot dogs, and food trucks from Zapata’s and Schmidt’s will provide additional choices.
For many longtime attendees, however, the fish is the star of the show—and particularly the batter.
The Lions have been using the same batter recipe for at least the 30 years Fox has been a member, and he believes it dates back even further. The recipe was created by longtime Lion John Washington, who has since passed away.
The recipe isn’t available to the public, however. The Lions continue to keep it secret in Washington’s honor.
“Some people confuse the Lions with ‘secret organizations,’” Fox joked. “However, the only secret the Lions have is the fish batter recipe.”
The Labor Day celebration also provides an opportunity to support the Lions’ charitable work through its annual Golden Raffle. The club is selling 80 tickets at $100 each, with five major prizes to be awarded on Labor Day.
The grand prize is $2,000, followed by prizes of $1,000, $500, $250 and $250. Winners do not have to be present to win.
“All profits from our public fundraising events go to our charitable causes,” Fox said.
Those causes include paying for eye exams and glasses for those who cannot afford them, contributing to local Eagle Scout projects and providing year-round support to the local food pantry. The Lions also fund the G.O.O.D. Program in Pickerington schools and provide gas cards to families traveling for pediatric cancer treatment.
“There are many ways that we help the community and the people,” Fox said. “If someone comes to us with a need, we will help if we can.”
Entertainment at Victory Park will include DJ Chris Leads of Capitol City Sound, sponsored by Initiative Counseling, as well as a combined performance by the Pickerington North and Pickerington Central marching bands.
For the Lions, the spirit of service is what makes Labor Day worth preserving, and the club seeks a next generation to continue that tradition for years to come.
“We are currently looking for community-minded people who would like to join us in serving our community and those in need,” Fox said.
To learn more about the Lions, including membership information, visit the Pickerington Lions Club website at Pickerington Lions Club – Lions e-Clubhouse.