Muskego Festival Turns 25, But Keeps a Fresh Face

The Muskego Community Festival returns in about 10 days, and it's celebrating its 25th anniversary with a few new elements, even as it looks back.

Muskego had its original festival, Country Fair Days, operate for many years until the VFW could not handle the growing size of the event. After taking one year off, VFW members gathered seven other groups to organize a new festival in a new venue (the original site was where the Pick n Save mall currently stands).

Along with the VFW, the Muskego Area Chamber of Commerce, the Muskego Lions Club, the Muskego Icetronauts, the Muskego American Legion, the Muskego Moose Lodge, the Muskego Athletic Association and the Little Muskego Lake Association and the Muskego Woman's Club now form the organizing body of the festival.

The Muskego Community Festival has since grown from a two-day event with no carnival and only one entertainment stage to a four-day festival with two entertainment stages, a food court and carnival.

What's on tap in 2012

Thursday, August 23 - Family night (alcohol free). Calkins Midway will offer wristband specials from 6-10 PM. Organizer Wally Spitzer said the Muskego Teen Idol semi-finals starting at 6:30 p.m. is a relatively new feature of the festival, and one that's gotten better over the years.

"This is such a positive event for our kids, and great for the community," he said. "The Muskego Performing Arts Council has now joined with the Teen Advisory Board this year to present the semi-finals, which will only make the event even better."

Friday, August 24 - The festival officially opens Friday at 5 p.m. with opening ceremonies. A Friday fish fry will be available at Hawg City Grill in the food court. In addition, new this year, the Zoological Society of Milwaukee will present Kohl’s Wild Theater at 7:00 p.m. Music by the Orphans from 5-7 p.m., The Rabid Aardvarks from 7-9 p.m. and Rhythm Method from 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Saturday, August 25 - Calkins Midway will offer a $16 wristband special Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. The Muskego Teen Idol finals will start at 7 p.m. Music from Crossfire from 3-7 p.m., Georgia Overdrive 7-11 p.m., and Mt. Olive from 7:30-11:30 p.m. will be featured.

Sunday, August 26 - the festival parade starts at 11 a.m. honoring The Muskego Woman’s Club for 50 years of service to the community. The parade theme is “Hometown of Happiness”. The grand marshal is Nancy Kangas and honored guest is June Wolf.

At 2 p.m. the Kids from Wisconsin, featuring three Muskego 'kids',  will present their final show for the 2012 season. This is notable Spitzer said because the Kids rarely perform for free. Music will also be featured from Groove Therapy from 4-6 p.m.

Every day - Also new this year will be a 50/50 raffle on Friday, Saturday and Sunday with drawings held each evening about one hour before the festival ends.  Spitzer says the jackpot will likely approach $2,000 each night, and winners must be present to claim their prize.

The festival features great entertainment, food, beverages and some of Milwaukee Area’s hottest bands will perform.