Students attend a past career fair in Stephenson organized by the QWest Bagley Homemakers in September 2024. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)

MENOMINEE — People looking for work can meet with dozens of potential employers all in one place on Wednesday.

The West Bagley Homemakers have been doing good deeds for their community for 70 years. In the past handful, they have organized career fairs to help connect high school students with post-graduation options.

This upcoming Wednesday — April 29 — the Homemakers are bringing the same sea of opportunity that career fairs provide to the public at large.

After a career fair for students early in the day, Menominee High School (located at 2101 18th S. in Menominee) will open to the public for a job fair from 4 to 7 p.m. CDT. People in search of work in the Upper Peninsula or northeastern Wisconsin could find their next employer at the event.

“For the job fair, we currently are in the area of 45-50 businesses, trades and professionals expected to be attending. Some of these participants are coming in from Escanaba, Spalding, Iron Mountain, Kingsford all the way down to Green Bay,” said Susan Massarini, President of the West Bagley Homemakers.

This is the first time that the local group’s open-to-the-public job fair is taking place. The Homemakers have been conducting career fairs for high school students for just a handful of years, but the events have grown dramatically.

The group initially began as a gathering of housewives who decided to beautify Bagley — a tiny community southwest of Carney in Menominee County — in 1956. At first, they planted flowers. They took on larger projects and helped to develop area parks. They raise funds for scholarships and a handful of causes.

The West Bagley Homemakers held its first career fair in 2023 at Stephenson High School. Three years later, attendance has more than quadrupled.

In 2023, about 120 students attended. The next year, four out of five invited schools brought over 300 students. The event moved from Stephenson to Menominee.

This year, Menominee High School is preparing for over 600 students. About 60 trades, businesses and technical schools will be around for the session devoted to students, and only slightly fewer will be at the public event in the evening.

If any businesses wish to sign up to participate, the deadline is Monday. They may call Sue at 715-938-0443 to reserve a spot.