This year’s Balaton Area Chamber of Commerce Fun Fest celebration will have plenty of familiar attractions, contests and games, but there will be one big difference.
Wanting not to have to compete with other area fireworks shows on the 4th, the Fun Fest committee has made the decision to light up the night a day earlier, with the fireworks array at Eastbay starting at 10 p.m. on Thursday, July 3.
“We’ve had some good feedback on that because we won’t be competing with Currie and Marshall fireworks,’ said Balaton Area Chamber of Commerce President Brita Fricke. “We’re still going to have fun here in Balaton, and people can still enjoy Marshall’s or Currie’s (fireworks) on Friday and then reconvene in Balaton on Saturday for all the fun.”
Also, having fireworks on the 4th would’ve caused a logistical issue with those shooting off the fireworks.
“They gave us a couple other dates and asked if we could do the 3rd or the 5th — we didn’t want to do the 5th because that’s when our street dance is,” said Fricke. “The 3rd is good for us; I believe this is the first time we’ve done it that day.”
Starting things off, the Lit’l Miss & Lit’l Mr. Balaton program will be at 6 p.m. Thursday at Victory Church.
Those taking in the big fireworks show would do themselves a favor by getting to bed right after, as Friday is packed with plenty of things to do, starting at 9 a.m. with a two-person best ball golf tournament (registration is at 8 a.m.) at Balaton Bay Golf Course.
The annual Borchert Challenge will be held from 2-5 p.m. on the putting green at Balaton Bay, with special guests, including former baseball and softball players.
For the little ones, inflatables will open at 5 p.m., and the Junior Bean Bag Tournament will begin at 6:30 p.m.
After all that fun, bring your appetite to the Balaton Area Community Foundation Burger Feed at Legion-Lion Park; while you’re enjoying your meal, you can take in Tony Moger Music from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
On Saturday, folks can work that appetite up again at the Fun Run at 7:30 a.m., during which time the Rib Cook-off will begin at the park.
Tee-off for the two-person, nine-hole golf tournament is at 9 a.m. that day (again, registration is at 8 a.m.), and the 8 a.m. Balaton Bay Roll-in event welcomes owners of vintage and classic cars, motorcycles and even tractors.
The Kiddie Parade will start at 10 a.m. Saturday at Legion-Lion Park, followed by Fun Fest favorite “Oar-less Canoe Races” at 10:45 a.m. at Knudson-Bosley Park.
Before the Grand Parade at 2 p.m., attendees can fill their stomachs with chicken from the Chicken Connection food truck, popcorn from Sweet Kettle Madness, cool treats from Lingen Dairy Ice Cream and/or pizza from Rolling Hills Pizza.
Following the parade, the Community Center doors will open for the Balaton High School Reunion from 3-6 p.m. Kids’ events like the petting zoo and coin dig at Legion-Lion Park will be at 3 p.m., as will a pedal pull on the basketball court.
Judging for the rib contest will open at 4 p.m. at Legion-Lion Park.
The Firemen’s Street Dance featuring HickTown Mafia will go from 8 p.m.midnight on Main St. The Fun Fest Calendar Raffle drawing will be at 10 p.m.
Things wind down a bit Sunday, but the fun isn’t quite over, as an adult bean bag tournament and a pickle ball tournament, both start at 12:30 p.m. at Legion-Lion Park after church services and the 11 a.m. Trinity Lutheran Church dinner.
The Balaton History Museum will be open on both Saturday (9 a.m.-noon) and Sunday (noon-2 p.m.), and the Legion Beer Wagon is available Friday and Saturday.
