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Community Summerfest in Weyauwega

Food, music and games will all be a part of Weyauwega’s annual Community Summerfest.

The fourth annual event will be held Sunday, July 28, at Weyauwega Community Park.

The mission of Community Summerfest is to serve the community, particularly the youth, said Gary Pawlovich, the event’s co-chairman.

As a result, 20 percent of the profits from the event go right back into the community.

This year, Project Backpack, the Weymont Food Pantry, the Giving Tree and the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store will again benefit from Community Summerfest.

“Each organization received $250 last year,” Pawlovich said.

Project Backpack supports more than 200 children in central Waupaca County schools, providing three daily weekend meals.

The Weymont Food Pantry serves those who live in the Weyauwega-Fremont School District.

Phyllis Koch is the pantry’s volunteer director, and she said the pantry serves between 80 and 90 families per month.

The pantry opened in 1993, and she has been a volunteer there since its beginning.

“Any cash donations we get goes to buy food,” Koch said.

The Weymont Food Pantry receives some government commodities, and seven area churches take turns holding food drives to support the pantry.

Koch said monetary donations help the pantry make sure it has the basic food items families need.

Such donations are used in the same way for Project Backpack.

The funds Community Summerfest gave to the Giving Tree helped the organizers of that program purchase the additional clothing, gifts, toys and food it needed. The Giving Tree distributed food and gifts to almost 100 families last Christmas.

The St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store, located east of Weyauwega on U.S. Highway 10, helps people from throughout Waupaca County.

Lynn Crist manages the store.

“People buy something at a reasonable price. Every cent we give back to people in the community,” she said.

Some people need help paying a utility bill or rent, while others need clothes or food vouchers.

The local thrift store also supports the Giving Tree by giving $10 gift certificates families may then use at the store.

The store is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. Saturday.

“We do a lot of good. We help a lot of people. On average, we receive four calls per day,” Crist said. “There is a tremendous need. I wish more people would come out and take the time to see what we have. We need more people to realize we sell good stuff.”

Pawlovich hopes the four non-profit organizations will receive even more funds from this year’s Community Summerfest.

The event kicks off at 10 a.m. on July 28 with a polka Mass under the tent, featuring the “Ray Konkol Polka Dance Band.”

Immediately following the Mass, there will be a VFW Patriotic Military Tribute. Polka music will continue.

The pig roast dinner will begin to be served at 11 a.m.

Pawlovich said two pigs will be roasted this year, and carry outs will be available.

Tickets are $10 and may be purchased in advance at the Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church office, located at 608 E. Main St. in Weyauwega.

Pawlovich said advance ticket purchases help them with their planning. Tickets for the dinner may also be purchased the day of the event.

Last year, Community Summerfest’s pig roast dinner sold out with 246 meals served.

In addition to the pig roast, there will be brats, hamburgers and hot dogs for sale, as well as a refreshment stand.

Local groups, such as 4-H clubs and school organizations, will also be selling food and refreshments.

They get to keep their profits, Pawlovich said.

The day’s activities will also include games and activities for children, more music throughout the afternoon, Bingo, a horseshoe tournament, raffles, a bake sale and a silent auction.

A family from Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church donated the funds to cover the cost of the Kids Fun Park, Pawlovich said.

This is allowing that area to be expanded this year with Badgerland Inflatables. In addition, that area will have mini golf. Dizzy D Clown will also be on hand to entertain children.

“It’s all free,” Pawlovich said.

Cassie Rucks, who just graduated from Weyauwega-Fremont High School, and her sister Jordan, who is a student at the high school, helped build the mini golf and are also volunteering at Community Summerfest.

They want to get other young people involved.

A few children will leave the festival with a bike.

There will again be a a free bike raffle for children age 12 and under.

Pawlovich said four Tony Hawk BMX bikes will be given away – two to girls and two to boys.

The bike raffle will be held at 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m. Children must be in attendance to enter and win.

Those who attend Community Summerfest may also tour the Little Red School House Museum, which will be open all day, donate blood at the Community Blood Center’s blood drive and enjoy free swimming in Weyauwega’s swim lake.

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