Campbellsport, WI- The tradition of the Campbellsport Volunteer Fire Department’s (CFD) picnic and parade, celebrated annually on Independence day, is embedded in most of the areas residents’ memories as much as the rolling hills that surround this quaint village. Fireworks, food, music, and the large parade are just a few of the traditions passed down from generation to generation. People from all over the state flock to this area to celebrate the Fourth of July and to support the CFD who are celebrating their 101^th year in service. Last year the event was highlighted by the Guiness Book of World Record, largest bratwurst. The organizers promise that the 101st will have even more events than the huge centennial celebration last year.

The CFD, the Campbellsport Area Chamber of Commerce (CACC), and many other organizations have worked hard since July 5, 2004 to keep the celebration a success. Many of the great traditional events, such as the sweet corn, the all beef patties and the Boy Scout’s gaming area will be continued. There have been many new events added in the last few years and some new thrilling events have been added this year.

A preview of the full events will be on Friday July 2^nd when the picnic kicks off with the sounds of Road Trip from 8:00 until 12:30am. On Sunday July 3^rd , starting at 11am, the CFD will be offering Schwai’s chicken dinner. For those interested in seeing some great vehicles, a car show will be held in the afternoon. The retro sounds of Rocket 88 will be entertaining the car show crowd while in the East tent the polka band Good Time Dutchman will be performing.

Sunday will be a great time to bring your family as there will be many children events going on. From 2-5pm there will be free pony rides, sponsored by the Campbellsport Area Chamber of Commerce. There will also be inflatable games and rides for children of all ages. The West Bend Dance and Tumbling Troupe, an internationally known team, will be giving two free performances at 5:30 and 6:30pm. This is also sponsored by the CACC. In between their performance the Campbellsport High School Dance Team camp’s performance will be held. They will also be sharing their talents with with area children from the ages of 3-14 this summer at a dance camp prior to the picnic. This is a great opportunity for the children who enjoy performing in front of a crowd. The children will learn a dance routine created especially for their age. They will have one-on-one group coaching. Mary Bilgo is still accepting camp participants. Call her for more information at 533-5041. Mary Bilgo, the energetic organizer of the dance team, promises this to be an exciting performance for the performers and the spectators.

Children’s water fights, sponsored by Mercury Marine, will begin at noon on Sunday. The adult waterfights will follow. To sign up for either the adult or children’s events contact Mark Jungers at 533-4771. Free Face Painting by NSP graphics will be also available July 3^rd and 4th.

If you have a huge appetite this event may be for you. Starting at 7pm on July 3^rd the CACC is hosting the inaugural EAT CAMPBELLSPORT Contest. Eating Contestants will have an opportunity to devour food from local chamber restaurants. As of this writing, the restaurants that are competing are not yet known; however Rhonda Lichtensteiger of Chuck’s Carpentry, expects many restaurants to have some huge portions for the contestants. The contest, hosted by Campbellsport High School wrestling Coach Mark Peterson, will be an eating contest with speed and quantity being the main concern. Neatness will not be judged and "pigging out" will be the norm. The first place winner will receive $100 in chamber bucks. It only costs $20 to enter and you get a free meal and a free t-shirt. If you think you or someone you know is up to the challenge stop in at King Pin Lanes. King Pin Lanes which is closed on July 4^th in honor of the volunteer firemen, is the main registration headquarters for the EAT Campbellsport Contest. RPM, who put on an awesome performance last year, will be rocking the mainstage from 8:30pm-12am to put a final touch on a huge day.

Before the start of the July 4^th parade which begins at 12:00 noon and marches down Main Street the CACC will be along the parade route selling raffle tickets. To be included in the parade show up approximately at 11am on the north side of St. Matthews church. The lineup will be scheduled from there. To kick off the parade three skydivers will jump with a huge USA flag on the corner of Main Street and Fond Du Lac Avenue, weather permitting. This is also sponsored by the Campbellsport Area Chamber of Commerce. Keep your eyes to the sky as the team promises to decent promptly at 12:00.

Wisconsin’s #1 July 4^th sporting event, TRUCK PULL III will follow the parade at the lower end of CFD park. Put on by the CACC, Men's and Women's Teams will attempt to pull 20 tons a maximum distance of 200’. TRUCK PULL III major sponsors, Valley Hydro-Excavation & Tom's Quality Millwork are offering $750 cash to the first place men’s team. Koffman Auto Body will also give the men’s winner $250 to give to the charity of their choice. Set In Ink, owned by prominent area business woman, Liv Moyer, is the sponsor for the women’s pull. The 1^st place women’s team will receive $250. T-shirts for this event and more were all designed free of charge by NSP graphics. Scott Benson, of Campbellsport Building Supply will be the driver for TRUCK PULL III. A new rocking DJ system, more bleachers and sponsorship by the energy drink RED BULL are all additions to this already successful event. All profits from TRUCK PULL III will go to improve the park bathrooms and playground equipment.

These events offer real value for the village’s residents. Many families make a long commute to work leaving little time to get to know their fellow neighbors. The parade and picnic offer an opportunity for these residents to get to know the person that lives across the street or shares the backyard. A laugh is shared, perhaps a beer is offered, and suddenly the residents of this quiet town feel a little safer and a little closer.

There are many other organizations, businesses, and individuals that help with this event including all those that have an entry in the parade or make a cash donation to the CFD. Let this article serve as a "thank you" for your often anonymous efforts. But, of course the real story is the months of preparation it requires to plan such an event. Recently, a larger town canceled their July 4^th parade due to a lack of supporters. The volunteer CFD spends hundreds of hours to make this event one that the community can be proud of. Not only does the CFD volunteer to serve our community by fighting fires and saving lives, they plan this community event to raise money and more importantly to bring the community together. It is a year round process coordinating the bands, the parade, the food (featuring the famous 100% all beef picnic burgers) and putting on the huge fireworks display on the night of July 4^th to celebrate America’s Independence.

The CFD and all the people that help them out hope you spread the word about the annual Campbellsport Fire Department’s Picnic and Parade and this small town’s cooperation to make it a success.