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| Delavan ready for Celebration of Freedom |
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| Written by Todd MIshler/Walworth County Sunday |
| Thursday, 14 June 2012 14:34 |
 Visitors examine the traveling wall at the Celebration of Freedom display at community park. Terry Mayer/staff. DELAVAN TOWNSHIP — Organizers issued the rallying cry, and residents from Walworth County have answered. The Town of Delavan Friends of the Parks’ Celebration of Freedom activities will dominate Community Park from Wednesday through June 17. (Follow updates on Facebook.com/WalworthCountyToday) American Veterans Traveling Tribute sponsors the five-day commemoration, the centerpiece being called “The Cost of Freedom,” which pays homage to those who have lost their lives in service to the United States. It will include a scaled-down replica of the Vietnam Wall and memorials for every war in which the United States has been involved. Also included in the display is a tribute to those who lost their lives on 9-11, especially firefighters and police officers. Chris Marsicano said that hosting such an event —admission is free — is a huge undertaking that wouldn’t have been possible without input and resources from a myriad people. “We’ve received such overwhelming support from the community, businesses and individuals,” said Marsicano, who added that the organizing committee surpassed its $10,000 fundraising goal. “We’ve got a dozen major sponsors out of nearly 90 total, and not just financial, but in-kind donations. And tons of people have volunteered their time. Just from word of mouth, you can sense a buzz out there. People are genuinely excited about this, and I can’t wait to see what happens.” A motorcade will escort the AVTT entourage into the city at 4 p.m. Wednesday near Delavan-Darien High School. The caravan will travel to Wisconsin Highway 50 en route to Community Park. The replica wall will be displayed in the pavilion. Opening ceremonies will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, which will feature a reception for sponsors. Steve Shoff has been manager at Community Park since 2006. He said that preparations have gone so well because of the cooperative spirit displayed between the town and the city of Delavan, with numerous attractions planned for the downtown. “As always happens with something as big as this, little things may not go exactly as you planned them, but almost everything has been great,” Shoff said. “Fundraising has been phenomenal. The community has come together and supported it with flying colors.” A different branch of the military will be honored each day, and other groups such as the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Scouts will participate. The June 16 lineup will include an evening USO-style dance at Lake Lawn Resort. The June 17 schedule will feature Armed Forces Day. The Delavan-Delavan Lake Area Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Business Association have helped promote the five-day celebration and remembrance. Marsicano said that the committee’s goals are multifaceted for an event that members hope provides equal measures of fun and education. “It started as a tribute to our troops, and deservedly so, because they should be honored for their service,” Marsicano said. “But the more people I’ve talked to, it’s also an important way to reach our younger generation, many who I still think don’t realize just how much these folks sacrificed for the freedoms and things we enjoy today. That’s why we’re hoping to see a lot of kids and families attend. “It’s been a lot of work, but we’re seeing the great rewards,” Marsicano added. “The community has been fantastic. And we’re hoping to draw people from southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois, with the idea of seeing all of the exhibits and everything, but also as a reflection of what the town and city of Delavan have to offer and how they’ve banded together.” For more information, contact Marsicano at (262) 745-4043, or email him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Or visit the Friends of the Park’s Facebook page. For more information about the traveling exhibit, visit www.avtt.org. Schedule of events At Community Park (unless otherwise noted) Wednesday (June 13) 4 p.m. — Honor escort parade from Delavan-Darien High School, through downtown Delavan and out Wisconsin Highway 50 (Geneva Street) to Community Park on Delavan Lake Thursday (June 14) Noon — Exhibit opens 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. — Fresh market (in downtown Delavan) 6 p.m. — Opening ceremony 8 p.m. — Retiring of colors 9 p.m. — Exhibit closes Friday (June 15) Police/firefighters salute Events at Community Park: 9 a.m. — Exhibit opens 9 a.m. — Color guard/laying of wreaths 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. — WLKG live radio remote 8 p.m. — Retiring of colors 9 p.m. — Exhibit closes Events in downtown Delavan: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Flea market, craft fair, sidewalk sales 1 p.m. — Kids’ bicycle decorating workshop, Aram Public Library 3 p.m. — Kids’ bicycle parade from library to Phoenix Park Bandshell 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. — Blackwater Band, Third Street stage 7 p.m. — Ladies Must Swing Band, Phoenix Park Bandshell Saturday (June 16) Flag Day salute Events at Community Park: 9 a.m. — Color guard/laying of wreaths 9 a.m. — Exhibit opens 10 a.m. — Elks Flag Day ceremony 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. — Food vendors, beer garden 4 p.m. — Echo, the singing bird, as seen on “America’s Got Talent” and from Dancing Horses Theatre 5:30 p.m. — Retiring of colors 9 p.m. — Exhibit closes Events in downtown Delavan: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Flea market, craft fair, sidewalk sales 10 a .m. to 5 p.m. — Military re-enactors, Phoenix Park 10 a.m. — Frank Landi program about historic downtown Delavan, Aram Public Library 11 a.m. — Colonel Webb’s Band of Musick, Phoenix Park Bandshell 3 p.m. — Dixie Doodlers Band, Phoenix Park Bandshell Stars & Stripes dance at Lake Lawn Resort 6 p.m. — Cocktails (cash bar) and hors d’oeuvres 7 p.m. — Dance the night away to the Jack Farina Big Band, with a special salute to our military. A silent auction also will be offered. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. Tickets are available at the Delavan chamber of commerce, Bradley’s, Village Supper Club, Community Bank of Delavan, Walworth County Visitors’ Bureau in Elkhorn, Piggly Wiggly in Delavan, M&I Bank and Walworth State Bank in Delavan. Sunday (June 17) Armed forces salute 9 a.m. — Reveille/laying of wreaths 9 a.m. — Exhibit opens 10 a.m. — Vietnam War remembrance presentation 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Military equipment display 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Food vendors, beer garden Noon — Wall touching ceremony 1 p.m. — 484th Army Band 2:30 p.m. — Closing ceremony with retiring of colors, Legion rifle squad, echo taps 3 p.m. — Exhibit closes
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