Family Fun celebrates silver anniversary

Mequon-Thiensville - The community will celebrate the 25th anniversary of Family Fun Before the Fourth on, fittingly, June 25.

Saturday's festivities kick off at 10:30 a.m.

This year's parade marshals are Bob Gosewehr, a retired superintendent of Mee-Kwon Golf Course and a Lions Club member for nearly 35 years; and Bill Rausch, retired chief of the Thiensville Fire Department. Both have been part of the volunteer committee coordinating Family Fun since its start a quarter century ago.

In previous years Gosewehr was in charge of setting up the facilities and sound system. Rausch, who has lived in Thiensville since 1948, says it is "fun to see and watch all the people enjoy themselves" at the festival, which makes it rewarding for him.

The parade starts at Cedarburg Road in Mequon near Weyenberg Library and travels north into Thiensville along Main Street, turns east on Friestadt Road, then south on Green Bay Road to Riverview Street.

The celebration continues with food and entertainment at Thiensville Village Park. Free ice cream will be distributed after the parade near the west side of the pavilion until supplies run out.

Raffle drawings throughout the day will offer prizes including a family pass to Noah's Ark, dance and gymnastic lessons, a bicycle and gift certificates. Tickets are $1 each, or an arm's length of tickets for $20.

The featured bands for the evening are Mission River Band and Hot Sauce. All entertainment is free of charge.

The firework display begins at dusk from the park.

"This is truly a family festival for everyone," said Executive Director Anne 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."

Family Fun Before the Fourth is sponsored by Community Fun Events Inc., a nonprofit community organization of volunteers. Nearly 30 local businesses sponsor the event.

At A Glance

Where: Thiensville Village Park, 250 Elm St.

10:30 a.m.: Parade

12 p.m.: Free ice cream distributed at Village Park

1 p.m.: North Shore Dance Studio

1:30 p.m.: Mirror Image Dance Academy

2 p.m.: Knowledge Edge spelling bee

3 p.m.: Rince Nia Irish Academy of Dance and Culture

3:30 p.m.: Badgerland Water Ski Show

5 p.m.: Mission River Band

7 p.m.: Hot Sauce

8:30 p.m.: Venetian boat parade

Dusk: Fireworks