There surely is plenty in store for all you Fun Festgoers this year. Just make sure you have the date right. The annual event, which typically is held the first weekend of July, actually starts this month — June 24 to be exact, with the three-day kids’ medallion hunt.
“It seemed to be more of a big deal when it was over the holiday weekend,” said Balaton Area Chamber of Commerce President Brita Fricke. “Not that it was a bad thing, but it seemed like we were competing with Currie or Marshall. We just want people to be able to do both.”
The powers-that-be for Fun Fest made the decision to move Fun Fest to June in part to allow families to do their 4thof- July-thing without having to miss out on the fun of Fun Fest.
“I’ve heard a lot of good feedback from people who have heard the date has changed,” Fricke said. “People can still go on their family vacations the following week. I’m really looking forward to seeing the turnout, maybe new faces that we haven’t seen in awhile because they usually are gone over the first weekend (in July).”
Fricke said the feedback has gone both ways — some good, some bad — but the good, she said, outweighs the bad.
“This shows that we still have people coming back; they’re still invested in Balaton, both personally and financially,” said Fricke. “They want to see the town have success, and it’s fun to see all the familiar faces come back.”
After Wednesday’s medallion hunt (all three medallions will be hidden on City property) on Thursday, a new Lit’l Miss and Lit’l Mr. Balaton will be crowed at Victory Church. And as an added bonus this year, Lingen Dairy ice cream, sponsored by the church, will be served after the always-cute program.
Things really get going Friday, especially at Balaton Bay Golf Course. A twoperson best ball tournament tees off at 8 a.m., and the popular Borchert Classic begins at 2 p.m., with the first 20 kids playing for free.
“There is golf every day of the weekend, and three times on Friday,” Fricke said. “What I have really enjoyed is the Borchert Challenge. It’s really fun, and so easy.”
All proceeds from the challenge go back into the High Low Precip
Borchert Challenge Fund, which is used to improve Balaton parks.
There are also inflatables Friday, as well as a junior bean bag tournament (17-andunder). The 280 Fifth Band takes the stage at Legion-Lion Park at 6:30 p.m., and fireworks will light up the Balaton skies at 10 p.m.
But that’s not all for Friday. After fireworks, it might be dark, but that’s the point behind the new two-person glow ball golf tournament, which begins at 10:30 p.m.
“You could potentially stay up for 48 hours straight at Fun Fest!” Fricke said.
Things get cooking early Saturday, when the grills get fired up for the rib cook-off (with judging at 4 p.m.) So far, six teams are signed up for the cook-off and rib tickets can be purchased at 4:30 p.m.
“You can purchase a ticket to eat some ribs, so make sure you leave room for that,” said Fricke.
The fun run is at 8 a.m., as is registration for another twoperson golf tournament. The 3-on-3 basketball tournament has been replaced by a 3-point shooting contest at the park.
“We kind of switched gears there,” Fricke said. “The 3-on-3 tournament was hard to run, because you had your 14-yearolds and your 30-year-olds, and they can’t play each other; it’s just not fair.”
The Balaton Bay Car Show starts at 9 a.m., but don’t let the name fool you — the show this year will take place on main street.
“We have a $600 Milwaukee tool set to give away for an incentive if you go through the parade,” Fricke said. “There will be a drawing for that, and we have a bunch of cash prizes as well. We’ll have all the activities in the park, then you can just walk across the street for the car show.”
The kiddie parade is at 10 a.m., and cow bingo will move to a new time, as the dung will drop at noon. Shortly after is the grand parade at 2 p.m. D-Bar will put on the pedal pull competition at 3:30 p.m., and another new attraction this year will be at 4 p.m. when “water wars” will take place on Lake Avenue.
“We’re taking a pause on the canoe races; they will return,” Fricke said. “Local fire departments are going to compete after the parade.
The Firemen’s Street Dance featuring “Up South” will go from 8 p.m.-midnight on Saturday, and the Fun Fest Calendar raffle drawing for $250 will take place at 10 p.m. Raffle ticket sales help fund Fun Fest and other things the Chamber does for its community.
On Sunday, there will be a community church service at Victory Church, followed by a Trinity Lutheran Church Dinner at the community center. More fun can be had later in the day with an adult bean bag tournament and a pickle ball tournament at 12:30 p.m.
Finally, at 2 p.m. Sunday, the adult/youth best ball golf tournament (registration at 1 p.m.) makes its return.
Outside of events based at the golf course, everything will be focused on Balaton’s downtown area.
It should be noted that 2nd St. will be closed during Fun Fest, as it will be under construction.
“The only thing I worry about is parking, but people will figure it out,” said Fricke. Everyone will adapt. We really do appreciate everybody coming to town.”
