Fest roars with the Lions, and others

Muskego — Whirling rides (complete with screaming kids) and the sharp sounds of marching parade bands again will accompany Muskego's annual celebration of summer.

In addition to those familiar sights and sounds from the midway and the parade, Muskego Fest will feature lots of food and a long schedule of events Friday through Sunday, Aug. 27 to 29, at the festival grounds on Racine Avenue and Pioneer Drive.

Actually, unofficially, the fun begins on Thursday, Aug. 26 with Family Nite, an alcohol-free evening with midway rides and limited food vendors. A $16 wristband special will be offered.

Big-time plans

Muskego Fest's planners say the four-day celebration, sponsored and organized by several local civic groups, is the largest free-admission festival in Wisconsin. It has dozens of food and merchandise vendors and free music.

All profits are returned to the Muskego community through the Muskego Athletic Association Youth Baseball, Lions, Moose and Woman's Clubs, local VFW Post, and the Little Muskego Lake Association.

Events begin at 5 p.m. Friday, noon Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday.

New to the venerable celebration will be family entertainment from Radio Disney, which offers tunes appealing to children and young teens. There will be interactive things to do, free removable tattoos, games and prizes.

The Muskego Police Department will hold its annual bike sale on Friday. Police also will hand out Kid I.D. kits and answering questions at the department's booth, which will be open all during the festival.

The Sunday parade, perhaps the four-day event's biggest highlight, will begin at 11 a.m. at Janesville and Lannon roads. It will head west down Janesville to Racine Avenue, then south to the festival grounds.

The parade will feature many favorites, including the Shamrock Club unit, the Milwaukee Dancing Grannies, some drum and bugles corps and floats.

Honoring the Lions

The parade will also honor the Muskego Lions Club, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary. The parade marshal will be longtime Muskego resident and Lions member Dean King.

The Muskego Lions Club, founded in 1950, is known for many things around town, including its frosty Polar Plunge that has been the traditional start to the new year since 2002. The Polar Plunge benefits the Special Olympics program.

Local Lions efforts also have included the purchase of infrared cameras for the Muskego Volunteer Fire Department and the Tess Corners Volunteer Fire Department, a mentoring program at Lake Denoon Middle School since 1999, five annual scholarships, involvement in the Muskego High School post prom since 1997 and a child safety event since 1998. One of the first things the Lions did was buy land and donate it for Lions Park.

Then there's the club's holiday specials, so to speak. The Lions host a Breakfast with Santa every winter and an Easter Egg Hunt every spring.

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS

THURSDAY, AUG. 26

6 to 10 p.m. Calkins Midway Family Night

6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Muskego Teen Idol semifinals (Family Tent)

6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Exit 23 Teen Band (West Tent)

FRIDAY, AUG. 27

5 to 7 p.m. Kim Marie (Food Court)

6 and 8 p.m. Dave Fleming Variety Show (Family Tent)

7 to 11 p.m. 6 Pack (West Tent)

7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Rhythm Method (East Tent)

SATURDAY, AUG. 28

1 to 2 p.m. Maxine's Dance Studio/MAJK Dance & Gymnastics (West Tent)

1 and 6 p.m. Dave Fleming Variety Show (Family Tent)

1:30 to 3 p.m. Anita's Dance Companies (Family Tent)

3 to 4:30 p.m. Radio Disney Road Show (Family Tent)

3 to 7 p.m. Georgia Overdrive (Food Court)

4:30 to 6 p.m. Anita's Dance Companies (Family Tent)

7 p.m. Muskego Teen Idol Finals (Family Tent)

7 to 11 p.m. Jeff London & The Wolf Pack (West Tent)

9:30 to 11:30 p.m. Light Up "A Tribute to Styx" (East Tent)

SUNDAY, AUG. 29

11 a.m. Festival Parade

1 to 4 p.m. Oldies but Goodies (East Tent)

1 to 4 p.m. Antique Tractor Display/Thrashing Demo/Jump Rope Making (Settlement Centre)

1:30, 3:15 and 5 p.m. Dave Fleming Variety Show (Family Tent)

2 to to 3 p.m. Anita's Dance Company (Family Tent)

4 to 8 p.m. Alter Ego (West Tent)