Fun Fest June 1 & 2
It will be fun for all ages at Fennimore’s Annual Fun Fest June 1 and 2.
Committee members have put together a great lineup of activities sure to entertain the whole family. Activities begin Friday night at 6 p.m. with kickball tournament, Hammerschlagen, chainsaw carving and a brand new event, bed races, followed by the band Renegade. This year’s Fun Fest theme is “Country Backroads!”
See the FunFest poster for the complete schedule of events and the sponsors.
A former Ag-Daze event, Bossie Bingo, will also make a comeback as part of the 2018 Fun Fest activities. The Fun Fest parade will travel down LaFollette Street starting at 5:30 p.m. Following the parade stay to enjoy music provided by the band, Back Home Boys. The barrel throwing contest begins at 9 p.m.
Throughout Friday evening and Saturday activities, vendors, direct sales, crafts and others will be on site. Fennimore organizations will be staffing the concessions stands throughout the festival.
FAF Fundraising Auction following parade
FAF Fundraising Auction will be held at 6:30 p.m. immediately following the Fun Fest parade. FAF has a great list of items that will be offered on their auction.
Download the FAF Fundraising Auction List
2018 Fun Fest chairpersons include: Chairman, Jeff Hagen; Entertainment Coordinator, John Torgerson; Car Show Coordinator, Red Kreyer; Treasurer & Vendor Coordinator, Shelly Winkers; Event & Grounds Coordinator, Mitch Tollefson; Little Mr. & Miss Fennimore Coordinator, Jessica Peterson. Committee Members are Kaleb Pagel, Jim Alderson, Matt Fry. Be sure to thank them for their time and commitment the next time you see them.
Fennimore Museums Open for 2018 Season
The Fennimore Doll and Toy Museum
Both of Fennimore Museums opened for their 2018 season on Saturday, May 26. Both museums are open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily including holidays. After Labor Day both museums change to their fall hours to be open weekends only the months of September and October. Tours are also available at other times by making reservations in advance.
Volunteers are always needed and welcome at both of the museums. If you would like to volunteer, please contact the Doll and Toy Museum at 608-822-4100 or Dagna Doan 608-822-4226 or for the Railroad Museum contact Greg Ashmore 608-822-6167 or Chuck Stenner 608-485-2408.
One of the new displays at the Doll and Toy Museum is a Tootsie Toy collection on loan from a person from La Crosse. Many of the toy cases have also been updated.
The Doll and Toy Museum admission fee for adults and teens is $3 and student admission is $1.50 for a day pass. Children under 5 are admitted at no cost. The Doll and Toy Museum is air conditioned and handicap-accessible. For additional information call 608-822-4100 www.dollandtoymuseum.com
Fennimore Historical Railroad Museum
The Fennimore Railroad Historical Society Museum features memorabilia from Fennimore’s unique narrow gauge railroad past. The narrow gauge rail line operated in the area between 1878 and 1926, far longer than most 3-foot gauge lines in Wisconsin. During that time a narrow gauge train affectionately known as the “Dinky” chugged through the winding Big Green river valley from Fennimore to Woodman, on the Wisconsin River.
Children will be sure to enjoy riding on the operational 15″ gauge rail with 700 feet of track
that sits south of the railroad museum. Miniature train rides are available for a small fee weekends only – weather permitting. Tickets for train rides are $1 each and are available at the museum. There is no set admission fee to tour the museum; donations are appreciated and are used to help Railroad Society members cover operational costs and maintenance of the museum. For more information, see the Railroad Historical Society Museum page on this website or call 608-822-6144.
Fennimore Community Pool Opens June 3
The Fennimore pool season begins Sunday, June 3, offering daily swim straight through from 1 to 8 p.m. seven days a week. The popular adult open swim will also be available from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. seven days a week. Please note the pool may close earlier if there is a pool party. In the case of a pool party, advance notice will be posted at the pool.
The Fennimore School summer program will once again be in charge of swim lessons. All swim lessons are now full and are closed. The other option for lessons would be to work with the pool manager and schedule private lessons.
Season pool passes are now available at the City Clerk’s office, (860 Lincoln Avenue) between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Once the pool is open you may purchase passes at the pool.
Lincoln Avenue Planters
Thanks to the following volunteers who assisted with planting of the Lincoln Avenue planters. Cindy Arndt and her day care students, Margaret Sprague, Faith Henkel and Linda Parrish.
Thanks also to City of Fennimore employees who brought the planters and benches out of storage for us. We also want to share our appreciation to those who purchased the flower planters and benches that adorn Lincoln Avenue that are now in their 10th season. They offer a warm welcome to area residents as they pass through our Main Street.
The Chamber purchased the plants from Sugar and Spice Hummingbird Greenhouse with funds raised through fundraisers such as the Taste of Fennimore. The Chamber thanks everyone for their continued support of the Fennimore Area Chamber of Commerce so they can in turn support the community.
Patriotic Decorating Contest Winners
The Fennimore Area Chamber of Commerce marketing committee is pleased to announce the winners of their 2018 Patriotic Decorating Contest. The first place winner went to Timothy’s Café whose decorating included a large flag painted on café’s wall, all tables decorated in red-white-blue along with window decorations and hanging baskets outdoors. The first place winner receives $100 in Fennimore bucks. The second place winner is Clare Bank, they decorated the 4th Street entrance with a variety of rustic Americana décor; they received $50 in Fennimore bucks. Third place winner is Casey’s General Store who decorated the store inside and out with flags and red-white-blue décor. They also played patriotic music outside of the store during the NOPT. Third place prize is $25 in Fennimore bucks.
Fennimore Chamber Golf Outing June 11
The Chamber’s Annual Golf Outing will be held Monday, June 11 at Hickory Grove Golf Course starting with a 3 p.m. shot gun start. The deadline for golf registrations is Monday June 5. The Chamber invites chamber members and guests to participate in the annual chamber golf outing. The fee is $40 for Golf and Dinner per person, $30 for Golf and Dinner for those with their own cart or $12 for the meal only.
The meal will be served around 6:00 p.m. If you don’t have a 4-some, let us make a team. Contact Steve Lendosky 608-822-6100 or steve@brechlerlendosky.com
The Chamber is also accepting door prizes, trinkets from your business, gift certificates, purchased prizes or anything else you would like to give away that evening. There will be raffles, team mulligan, hole prizes and a putting contest for Brewers tickets prior to the tee-off. You will be able to purchase a team mulligan as well. Everyone has a chance to win something.
Farm Family of the Year
It’s time once again to nominate your favorite farm family for QueenB Radio’s Farm Family of the Year. Nomination forms are available in Fennimore at Jim’s Building Center. Deadline is Friday, June 1. The 2018 farm family of the year will be announced during the Grant County Dairy Breakfast on June 10 at the Banner Ridge Farms, LLC 7573 Banner Road, Platteville WI.
Blood Drive at Rayovac June 5
Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center has announced that Fennimore Rayovac will host a blood drive on Tuesday, June 5 between the hours of 2:30 and 6 p.m. The blood drive will be held in the donor bus, 100 Rayovac Court. Donors who last gave blood on or before April 10, 2018 are eligible to give at this drive. All donors must bring a photo ID. To make an appointment contact Dustin Mara 608-822-3272, ext 22524
Fennimore Firemen’s Steak Feed June 9
The Fennimore Fire Department will be hosting its Annual Steak Feed Fundraiser on Saturday June 9th at the Fennimore Fire Department. Tickets are $12.00 and can be purchased at the door. Dine in or carry out; serving from 4:30 to 8:30 or until they run out of steaks. There is a limited number of meals available.
This is a family friendly event and the firemen greatly appreciate community support! The Steak Feed is our primary fundraiser each year and was originally started to fund the purchase of our first set of extrication/rescue equipment (“Jaws of Life”). Each year, our department uses proceeds from this event to purchase/update new rescue equipment and provide training to our members so that we can provide the best service possible to our community and fire district.
During the event, there will be a variety of raffles and prizes available. There will also be a silent auction that closes at approximately 7:00 PM.
Those interested in donating an item for the fundraising raffles or silent auction, please contact Todd Bresee at 608-732-1527.
Golden Knights Parachute Team Visits Fennimore July 2
Some exciting news has just been released by Southwest Tech. In celebration of the 4th of July, Southwest Tech would like to recognize those who fought for the freedom of the United States and host an event that honors veterans and those currently serving in the military.
The U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team will hosting a pre-Independence Day Celebration honoring our Nation’s Military! All are invited to join us for this FREE celebration.
Gates will open at 8:00 a.m. in preparation for the 10:00 a.m. scheduled jump time. Immediately following the jump the Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopter will attempt to land. Children will be able to help the U.S. Golden Knights pack parachutes, get autographs, and tour the aircraft. This is an awesome opportunity for youth and families to get up close and learn more about Chinook helicopters. The American twin-engine, tandem-rotor, heavy-lift helicopter is among the heaviest lifting Western helicopters.
Chamber Community Awards
The Fennimore Area Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for the 2018 Citizen, Family, Business and Organization of the Year awards. Do you know someone who lives within the Fennimore School District whose activities have made a positive difference in the community? If so, you are encouraged to fill out a short nomination form for them to be recognized for their efforts. Please note the organization recognition is a new feature for 2018.
Nomination forms are available at the Memorial building/chamber office, local banks, Dwight Parker Library or Birkett Chiropractic or may be downloaded, 2018 Community Awards Nomination Form
Nominations must be turned into Birkett’s office or P.O.Box 68, Fennimore or email sbirkett@tds.net no later than noon on Tuesday, July 2. The committee will meet the afternoon of July 2 to make their final decisions. Four nominees will be recognized during the Community Awards ceremony at 6:30 p.m. held in conjunction with the Chamber Annual Chicken BBQ. The Chicken BBQ and Community Awards will take place in the Fennimore Memorial building gym.
See more information on the Chamber Community Awards webpage
Chamber Hosts Circus Aug 5
As you make plans for summer activities there is a new event coming to Fennimore on Sunday, August 5. The Fennimore Area Chamber of Commerce will host the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus bringing two shows to Fennimore on Sunday, Aug 5 at 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Watch for more details on the circus as they become available. Advance tickets will be available at area businesses.
Come 4 Supper June 27
The popular Come 4 Supper free meal will have a special offering on Wednesday, June 27 at the Fennimore United Methodist Church with serving from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.