JANESVILLE, Wis. -- A Rock County event billed as a call for action for the unemployed and underemployed is facing some trouble of its own.

Janesville’s 20th annual Laborfest "Jobs Now" rally attracted people from across Rock County.

But some say its overall message may have been lost during this election season.

The president of Laborfest, Janet Cook, said she had hoped that this year’s event and its speakers wouldn’t exist simply to provide fodder for the current campaign season, but instead exist to shed light on the strength of the community’s workforce and provide insight on how to create more good jobs.

"I was told that there was going to be people talking about actual numbers of jobs," said Cook. "I’m hearing a lot of a political rally and that's not what I believed was going to be happening."

Those in attendance looking for help finding work seemed to agree.

"A lot of this is 'You rah rah rah,'" said former General Motors worker Janet Barlow-Bjork. "But it takes more than just words."

The event was also underwhelming for unemployed manufacturing worker Jason Wuthrich.

"I was a victim of the auto industry," said Wuthrich. "About two-and-a-half years ago, and got laid off and have yet to find a job."

In a community where much has been lost, Janesville residents like Wuthrich are looking for some hope, and they want and expect local leaders to stop talking to start cleaning up what they consider to be an economic mess.

"We need jobs. We need jobs bad," continued Wuthrich. "Get GM to do something with the property up here, get the other companies that supported GM to get something in their property."

The event continues Monday, with a highlight being the annual Laborfest parade at 1 p.m. in downtown Janesville.

Also on Monday, President Obama is scheduled to spend Labor Day at Milwaukee’s Laborfest.

The president is scheduled to speak at the free festival held on the Summerfest grounds at about 2:30 p.m.

For more information on Janesville’s Laborfest, go to their web site.

For more information on Milwaukee’s Laborfest, go to their web site.