State Champion Football Players, UW Marching Band Highlight Family Fun

Posted: June 23, 2009

The state champion Homestead High School varsity football team and coach David Keel are honorary parade marshals at Saturday's Family Fun Before the Fourth parade through Mequon and Thiensville. The UW Marching Band-sponsored by the Mequon Thiensville Chamber of Commerce-will also perform during and after the parade, which kicks off a full day and evening of food and entertainment along the Milwaukee River at Thiensville Park.

 

“Family Fun is a championship event and it's only appropriate to have a championship team and a world-famous band leading this year's parade,” said Anne Bolles, Executive Director, Community Fun Events, Inc., sponsor of Family Fun. In 2008, the Highlanders varsity football team returned for the third consecutive year to the Wisconsin state championship, defeating the Arrowhead High School Warhawks, 13-11. The UW Marching Band has a 124-year history of public performances, including Badger Football and Hockey games, often broadcast world-wide.

 

We owe all of this to our supportive community and sponsors,” said Executive Director Anne Bolles. “Especially our Platinum Sponsors, City of Mequon, _Harris Bank, Mequon-Thiensville Chamber of Commerce, Village of Thiensville and_Friends of Family Fun Before the Fourth

 

A solid roster of championship entertainment is slated for this year's event. Mission River Band will perform from 5 to 7:30, followed by a return engagement by Hot Sauce. A full schedule of events is available at www.familyfunbeforethefourth.com.

 

Family Fun Before the Fourth is a day-long festival of parade, food, beverages and entertainment. Activities culminate in an exciting crescendo of fireworks at dusk, and capped off with additional music from one of the area's most popular bands.

 

In addition to the evening's main stage entertainment, the festival features music, entertainment, children's games, food and drink at various park locations throughout the day and evening. A corn roast, beer and wine stands and several restaurants are open throughout the afternoon and evening.

 

“This is truly a family festival for everyone,” said Bolles. “Our families camp out all morning awaiting the parade, follow it to the park and spend the rest of the day and evening having a grand time”

 

Local restaurants and food stores participating on Restaurant Row, a line-up of tents where Family Fun goers can purchase select food and beverage treats, include Chuck's Place, Prime Minister, Piggly Wiggly, Wow Dogs and Tomaso's. Dozens of picnic tables will be placed adjacent to Restaurant Row for Family Fun dining.

 

This year's parade begins at 10:30 a.m. and follows its traditional route, starting on Cedarburg Road in Mequon near Weyenberg Library, traveling north into Thiensville along Main Street, east on Friestadt Road, then south on Green Bay to Riverview Street. The fun continues at Thiensville Village Park. Free ice cream for kids is available from parade end until it's gone.

 

Family Fun Before the Fourth is operated by Community Fun Events, Incorporated, a non-profit organization comprised of volunteers dedicated to organizing and operating Mequon - Thiensville's premier summer family fun and entertainment attraction, paid for entirely through contributions from merchants, individuals, municipalities and civic organizations.