Burlington Jamboree 2021

Jamboree 2021

BURLINGTON

May 27 to 31

Rides, games, food, fun and more!

A publication of the

Burlington Standard Press

PAGE 2 • BURLINGTON JAMBOREE 2021

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BURLINGTON JAMBOREE 2021 • PAGE 3

Jamboree replaces annual ChocolateFest

New event features carnival, food and live entertainment following guidelines.”

The Burlington Jamboree, which revives a festival name from the city’s past, will feature free admission and offer live entertainment on Saturday evening as well as a beer tent operated by the Burlington Lions Club.

Scherrer further added he hopes the Burlington Jamboree can become a bright spot amid the challenging and ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Additionally, the new event, he said, looks to restart momentum for the city as one of the first festivals out of the gate for the summer season.

“The reason we are doing (this) is we want to keep some momentum going and give (people) something to attend.”

By Jason Arndt STAFF WRITER

Burlington’s ChocolateFest, like most other events last year, became a casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic and resulted in organizers canceling the annual festival.

Since then, some of the ChocolateFest organizers decided to start something different. That event is the Burlington Jamboree scheduled for Memorial Day weekend from May 27 to 31.

The new festival received a permit from the Common Council on April 7 to host the event at the former ChocolateFest grounds along Maryland Avenue.

Bil Scherrer, ChocolateFest president, said the group of organizers took several factors into consideration when transitioning away from what had been the city’s signature festival since 1987.

In addition to COVID-19, the former ChocolateFest group faced ongoing expenses with no incoming revenue, loss of chocolate vendors and key volunteer committee members as well as the absence of chocolate-relevant entities in the city.

The City of Burlington, meanwhile, is undergoing a rebranding effort, moving away from Chocolate City, USA to City of Trails.

“With the city rebranding, maybe it is time for us to rebrand and rebuild,” Scherrer told the Common Council. “This might just be a basic year where we are providing a carnival and some activities.”

Scherrer, one of a handful of volunteer holdovers from ChocolateFest, said North American Midway Entertainment reaffirmed its commitment to the city and

The Burlington Jamboree carnival has rides for kids (and adults) of all ages.

ED NADOLSKI Burlington Jamboree

will continue handling rides, games and food concessions at the new festival.

The carnival company, according to organizers, will follow COVID-19 safety guidelines during the event.

Scherrer, who has kept in contact with the carnival company, told the Common Council North American Midway Entertainment previously participated in large-scale events elsewhere amid the COVID-19 pandemic and did not report any coronavirus outbreaks.

“They spray the rides down at night… all of the staff wear masks, they have hand sanitizer,” Scherrer said. “They are

Safety, health concerns City staff as well the Common Council, while receptive to the Burlington Jamboree, outlined concerns related to planned road construction of Maryland Avenue along with patrolling the ChocolateFest grounds.

Jon E. Schultz II, of District 3, questioned Director of Public Works Peter Riggs on how the Maryland Avenue project would affect Burlington Jamboree.

Riggs, in response, stated contractor, Wanasek Corp., does not plan on starting construction until early June.

“Wanasek, who is our contractor for the project, has indicated that it has always been their intention to begin the project in early June,” Riggs said. “There would be no conflict with this Maryland Avenue project.”

Police Chief Mark Anderson, who

has coordinated safety coverage for ChocolateFest in previous years, said the Burlington Jamboree brings a series of unknowns because attendance is an unknown.

JAMBOREE • CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Burlington Jamboree 2021 A publication of Southern Lakes Newspapers LLC and the Burlington Standard Press 1102 Ann St., Delavan, WI 53115 (262) 728-3411 www.myracinecounty.com Editor in Chief............................Ed Nadolski Special Sections Editor.........Tracy Ouellette Section Designer................ Jeniffer DeGroot Advertising Director......... Vicki Vanderwerff Creative Director.......................Heidi Schulz For advertising opportunities, please call (262) 763-2575 above: North American Midway Entertainment returns its midway and carnival to Burlington for the new Jamboree. A big attraction at previous ChocolateFest celebrations, the carnival is now the main focus of the Jamboree.

FILE PHOTO Burlington Jamboree

PAGE 4 • BURLINGTON JAMBOREE 2021

JAMBOREE

• CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

In a typical ChocolateFest, the City of Burlington Police Department as well other agencies commit 600 total hours, ranging from traffic control, patrolling the grounds and helping with identification for beer sales.

“This is a challenge because we have no idea how many people are coming,” said Anderson, who indicated his department can contribute up to 200 hours of coverage.

Jamboree organizer Mike Austin,

meanwhile, offered some assurances, noting he and others plan to encourage visitors to use parking lots on the south end of Milwaukee Avenue.

Additionally, with one night of live entertainment, Austin said the Jamboree likely won’t have beer sales on Monday.

Anderson noted adjustments and indicated he felt comfortable with 200 hours of public safety investment.

As for the COVID-19 pandemic,

Music, fun run included with new festival

The Jamboree will open at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 28, and at noon on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Admission is free.

A 5/10-kilometer run and a beer tent with daily music have officially been added to the roster of activities for the Burlington Jamboree during the Memorial Day weekend, May 28 to 31.

“Excitement and momentum are building up,” organizer Bil Scherrer said recently in a news release.

The highlight of the weekend, however, remains the carnival presented by North American Midway Entertainment – the same firm that provided rides and games for the annual ChocolateFest, which was also held over Memorial Day weekend.

Scherrer said the ability to retain North American Midway Entertainment for the long weekend was a factor in deciding to transition to a new festival.

But not the only one.

“When people ask me why I am sticking with this (after ChocolateFest has gone away), and not just calling it quits, I explain that a dear friend of mine – Jim Wanasek, who passed away in 2012 – always said: ‘We do this for the kids!’”

Scherrer said.

“And don’t we want kids growing up with the fun of riding a Ferris wheel and merry-go-round and bumper cars?

Carnivals are nostalgic, and part of living is the ability to experience them.”

There will be plenty of rides during the course of the weekend with the carnival offering $30 wristband deals daily for unlimited rides during certain time periods.

The carnival will also sell Mega Bands for $55 unlimited rides on Saturday and Sunday.

Discounted ride tickets will soon be on sale online until May 27.

Beer tent, fun run The Burlington Lions Club Jamboree Beer Tent will feature live music with the Twin Rivers Band from 8 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, May 29.

At other times during the festival, the tent will feature disk jockeys playing tunes with themes ranging from classic rock to oldies, country and dance music.

The Chocoholic 5K/10K is slated to begin at 10 a.m. Sunday at Riverside Park.

The entry fee for the 5K is $35 and for the 10K it is $40. Runners will receive a commemorative T-shirt or opt to forgo the shirt and receive a $5 discount on registration.

The course will take runners along the Fox River from Riverside Park to Bushnell Park and back.

For registration and additional course information online, visit chocoholic.5k.run.

A transitional year After canceling ChocolateFest in 2020 because pf the coronavirus pandemic, organizers took time to consider the future of the event, according to Scherrer.

He said the group of organizers took several factors into consideration when transitioning away from what had been the city’s signature festival since 1987.

In addition to COVID-19, the former ChocolateFest group faced ongoing expenses with no incoming revenue, loss of chocolate vendors and key volunteer committee members as well as the absence of chocolate-relevant entities in the city.

And although people are just becoming comfortable again with venturing out as COVID-19 vaccinations increase, Scherrer said there is a pent-up desire for safe social activities.

“After a year of shut-downs, staying at home, and distancing, people want to get out again,” he said.

Theresa Meyer, of District 1, asked if organizers and city staff reached out to the Central Racine County Health Department for guidance on the Burlington Jamboree.

Diahnn Halbach, City Clerk, said the CRCHD reiterated its recommendation to avoid large crowds, but did not go further at the April 7 meeting.

Pandemic progress noted Although the COVID-19 pandemic continues, some City Council members did not believe the coronavirus should be a deciding concern against the event, noting progress in vaccinations and the carnival company’s track record. “…34% of Wisconsin has a vaccine at this point, cases are low, hospitalizations

are low, this pandemic is functionally over,” Schultz said at the time. “This is a great thing you guys are putting together. I am not remotely worried.”

District 4 Alderman Thomas Preusker, who concurred with Schultz, acknowledged anyone older than 16 years old in Wisconsin can receive a vaccine if they want.

Bob Grandi, of District 2, recognized the carnival company’s record as encouraging and believes holding the Burlington Jamboree is appropriate.

“It really appears that North American Midway is doing all of the right things all of the safety measures,” he said.

“Their track record is good, so I think it is important that we go through with this.”

The Kiddie Koaster is always a big draw at the carnival, where kids and parents can ride together.

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BURLINGTON JAMBOREE 2021 • PAGE 5 PHOTOS BY CHAD HENSIAK Burlington Jamboree

ChocolateFest

With Burlington’s annual Memorial Day weekend festival rebranded as the Jamboree, we look back at the final ChocolateFest in 2019. top to bottom: Daivd Andrews gets going on his chocolate sculpture; A young ChocolateFest visitor makes a cupcake in a decorating contest; Jim Malkowski starts his chocolate sculpture during the 2019 ChocolateFest in Burlington.

Clockwise from top left: Jim Malkowski’s chocolate sculpture called, “Pair O’ Dice Lost”; Greg Bubolz’s chocolate sculpture called, “Chocloate Fountain”; David Andrews’ chocolate sculpture called, “Showgirl’s Guilty Pleaseure”; Edwin Monfero’s chocolate sculpture called, “MGM Lion”; Paul Laabs’ chocolate sculpture called, “Ace up the Sleeve”; Brett Huisman’s chocolate sculpture called, “The King of Choc ‘N Roll.”

PAGE 6 • BURLINGTON JAMBOREE 2021

Tempt your tastebuds Explore the best of the best carnival foods Summer is a time of year when empty parking lots or fields get transformed into magical places of wonder.

When the carnival comes to town, once barren spaces are filled with blinking lights and the hum of mechanical rides that treat thrill seekers to a whirling dervish of excitement. Cheers, jeers and game attendants can be heard, and the savory aroma of fried delights wafts in the breeze.

Traveling fairs and carnivals are hallmarks of late spring and summer.

Comprised of vendors, games of chance, amusement rides, and more, these events attract scores of spectators.

Historians believe the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair served as a catalyst for the creation of traveling carnivals. After the World’s Fair closed, traveling carnival companies began to tour the United States and abroad. The idea of mobile carnivals may have also been made trendy by the popularity of amusement areas like Coney Island and Atlantic City.

Although the rides and attractions certainly entice their share of carnival visitors, for many the unique culinary offerings available at fairs and carnivals are a big attraction as well. At carnivals,

many people indulge in foods that are best enjoyed sparingly, such as fried foods, sticky sweets and meats on a stick. The following are some of the more popular fair foods.

Cotton candy Cotton candy is a treat many people only eat at carnivals or fairs. A form of spun sugar mixed with air to produce a large volume of sticky sweet cotton, cotton candy was invented by dentist William Morrison and confectioner John C. Wharton in 1897. It was subsequently introduced to the public at the 1904 World’s Fair as “Fairy Floss.”

Automatic cotton candy machines help make cotton candy available to market at carnivals and fairs around the world. Eat it quickly because cotton candy melts and gets messy under the hot sun.

Corn dogs Foods served on sticks, including corn dogs, are a staple of carnivals because of their portability. Corn dogs are formed by dipping a hot dog into a cornmeal batter and frying it. Many credit Carl and Neil Fletcher with the first “corny dog,” served at the State Fair of Texas in 1942. Those who enjoy hot dogs and the crunch of an outer coating flock to concession stands for these salty delights.

Pennsylvania. Funnel cakes were once formed by pouring batter through a funnel into a hot pan of oil. Now it is usually done by pouring batter from a pitcher or through an automatic machine.

Funnel cakes What would a carnival be without some variation of fried dough? From Spanish churros to Italian zeppoles to regular doughnuts, there is something to be said about sweetened, chewy dough fried to form a crunchy outer shell. When dusted with powdered sugar, the confection is complete.

Funnel cakes are a type of fried dough regularly sold at fairs across North America.

Although the history of funnel cakes is debatable, popular opinion states they were made popular by German immigrants in

Kettle corn Although popcorn is a popular fair food, so is its sweetened cousin, kettle corn. Kettle corn was first introduced in the early 1700s

by European immigrant farmers. Corn was popped in large cast-iron pots filled with lard rendered from farm hogs.

The corn popped quite quickly in the kettles and sweeteners like sugar or honey were added to the popped corn.

Modern kettle corn is made in much the same way, using corn, oil, sugar, and salt.

Use of sugar produces a sweet crust on the popping corn. Constant stirring is required, or the sugar will burn in the kettle.

Carnivals, county fairs and feasts are popular attractions when the weather warms up. They’re heralded not only for their rides and games of chance but also for their indulgent foods.

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BURLINGTON JAMBOREE 2021 • PAGE 7

From ChocolateFest to the Jamboree A history of Burlington’s Memorial Day weekend festival

After canceling the annual ChocolateFest in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 festival was rebranded “Burlington Jamboree,” dropping the chocolate focus of the Memorial Day weekend celebration.

Former ChocolateFest organizers cited several reasons for the change, including ongoing expenses with no incoming revenue, loss of chocolate vendors and key volunteer committee members as well as the absence of chocolate-relevant entities in the city along with the City of Burlington’s desire to “rebrand” away from Chocolate City, USA to City of Trails.

ChocolateFest began in 1985 when Bill Branen, Jack Berry and Dave Wright of the Burlington Standard Press along with Henry Spreaha and Hank Hasert of Nestlé, Mayor Marty Itzin and the Burlington Area Chamber of Commerce, brainstormed a way to draw tourists to Burlington and to celebrate Nestlé’s 20th anniversary of doing business in Burlington.

They capitalized upon the idea that most people love chocolate and with Nestlé’s help, they planned and marketed a Chocolate Festival, giving Burlington the nickname of “Chocolate City U.S.A.” The first actual festival was in May of 1987 and entertainment was hosted at local school auditoriums and athletic fields. The big act that first year was the Kingston Trio.

By 1988 Hershey’s had taken the city to court over its nickname, “Chocolate City U.S.A.” which took a couple of years and much publicity, including an article in the Wall Street Journal, to resolve. After the first year, the festival date was moved to the third weekend in May (the weekend after Mother’s Day).

In 1992, following several years of changing locations to hold the festival, the need for a permanent site was evident. With the help of the city, an unused parcel of about 15 acres and a new purchase of about five acres were put together.

Several chairmen coordinated the festival including Jack Berry, Kurt Ludwig, Kathy Zdanowski, and Bob Branen (Bill’s son) until he resigned in 1998.

With no heir apparent, the Burlington Chamber of Commerce polled local charities and service clubs to assess the effect of not having a Chocolate City Festival upon their budgets. They all were very concerned, since the Festival had become, for many of them, their major fund-raiser.

After twelve years, the Burlington Chocolate Festival was facing a number of challenges including the time and effort required to produce it every year. With a family and his own business to run, Bob Branen approached the Burlington Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee in the fall of 1998 requesting their assistance with a plan to continue the festival.

Upon acceptance, Bil Scherrer along with several dedicated local residents, many who previously served on the Chamber board, began to flesh out a new Operations Committee. This committee would carry out the huge workload of the festival by basically dividing the responsibility into several key areas – administrative, entertainment, grounds, marketing, media, operations, sponsorship,

Free Nestle Toll House Cookies always drew a large crowd to the Chocolate Tent in previous years. The Burlington Jamboree, which replaces ChocolateFest in 2021, will not focus on all things chocolate.

CHAD HENSIAK Burlington Jamboree

vendors, and volunteers.

Chocolate City Festival was renamed ChocolateFest and the new focus of ChocolateFest was to maximize its ability to help local charities and service clubs raise money while bringing a fun tourist oriented event to the city.

ChocolateFest was a separate non-profit organization with its own board and it is not controlled by the city. In 2012, more than 750 volunteers staffed the Memorial Day weekend of ChocolateFest.

ChocolateFest timeline 1999 – New group takes over running ChocolateFest, adopting the title of “Operations Committee.” ChocolateFest parade is cancelled due to expenses and ability to organize it in time.

2000 – Began a “branding” program by developing a new logo and web page to go on all promotional materials. ChocolateFest parade is brought back thanks to Aurora.

Sponsorship marketing program employed, involving all levels of the business community. Eliminated national musical acts and focused on regional acts. Beer tent added with sponsorship from C.J.W./Miller Lite.

2001 – A slightly profitable year for ChocolateFest with approximately $140,000 to charities and clubs. More blacktop is laid down creating better walking conditions.

2002 – Cold weather leads to a loss of more than $70,000 to festival but charities and clubs still made about $100,000.

Operations Committee refocuses on cost cutting with.

2003 – Budget is $320,000 and projects

a “reasonable” profit with $140,000 to charities and service clubs.

2004 – ChocolateFest is given the opportunity to move to Memorial Day Weekend. Permanent grandstand is built in the Family Land Area. Material and labor was all donated.

2005 – The move to a four-day weekend proved to be successful. ChocolateFest parade is now officially titled “Veteran’s Memorial Day Parade.”

2006 – Chocolate Experience Tent is created with a dynamic emphasis on chocolate vendors and activities.

2008 – A significant upgrade in electrical infrastructure is installed on the grounds.

2010 – Established an Executive Committee.

2012 – Long-time advocate, and strong supporter, as well as member of the Operations and Executive Committee, James L Wanasek passes away. His son John Wanasek continues in his roles.

2013 – After 26 years, Nestlé Foods & Confections announces that they will no longer be able to produce the creation inhouse. They will support ChocolateFest as much as possible as they try to secure an outside source.

Patrons are able to walk the entire festival grounds with an alcoholic beverage.

2014 – With temperatures in the 80s for most of the holiday weekend and no rain until Monday afternoon, festival president Bil Scherrer called it the best-ever Memorial Day weekend for ChocolateFest.

Attendance was up about 25 percent.

2015 – The rainy weather put a damper on the ChocolateFest activities, but fairgoers made the best of the soggy

situation.

2016 – ChocolateFest celebrates its 30th festival last year. Nestlé USA celebrated 50 years in Burlington.

2017 – While rain on the opening night put a bit of damper on things, the weather cooperated for most of the weekend and more than 37,000 people attended the festival, an increase of about 3,000 from 2016. Revenue from the festival was up as well, about 10 percent.

2018 – With temperatures more suited for melting rather than savoring chocolate, Burlington’s ChocolateFest withstood a string of 90-degree days last year to finish in the black for 2018. The festival generated about $115,000 and more than 30,000 people came through the gates.

2019 – Storms and wet conditions caused some parking issues for festival goers and led to a postponed fireworks display, which was held Saturday night instead of the traditional Friday, but overall, ChocolateFest had a good final year, even if no one knew it at the time.

The annual fireworks display was in jeopardy earlier in 2019 year when longtime sponsor Runzheimer dropped its support after being purchased by an outof-state firm. Local businesses Community State Bank and Mangold Insurance stepped in fund the display.

2020 – ChocolateFest officials canceled the annual festival because of the COVID-19 pandemic and with that decision, ChocolateFest would be no more.

2021 – Festival organizers rebranded the celebration “Burlington Jamboree” and left the chocolate behind. The new festival, which debuted this year, was scaled back with a focus on the midway and carnival.

PAGE 8 • BURLINGTON JAMBOREE 2021

Veterans Memorial Day Observances 9:00 a.m., Echo Park

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual Memorial Day Parade is canceled.

Photos from the 2019 Memorial Day Parade and Observances

by Ed Nadolski

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