Area festivals mark the start of summer
The unofficial kickoff to summer begins Memorial Day weekend and there are plenty of ways to celebrate locally.
From Burlington’s ChocolateFest to East Troy’s Corn and Brat Roast to Memorial Day parades and observances across the area, the weekend is full of family friendly activities.
A roundup of the area’s Memorial Day observances can be found at mywalworthcounty.com.
Enjoy the corn and brats
The East Troy Area Chamber of Commerce’s 42nd annual Corn and Brat Roast will return May 24 to 27, at East Troy Village Square Park, 2881 Main St.
The four-day event, featuring roasted sweet corn, Hometown Sausage Kitchen brats, hot dogs, burgers, soda and beer, as well as live entertainment, will run from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday.
“Nothing beats getting that first ear of buttery sweet corn while listening to live music in downtown East Troy,” said Vanessa Lenz, executive director of the East Troy Area Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the event.
“The event is not only a community tradition, but a family tradition. We are happy to be celebrating 42 years in 2019,” Lenz added.
The weekend events also include the chamber’s 28th annual East Troy Community-wide Rummage Sale on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
All rummage listings will featured in the new 2019 East Troy Community-wide Rummage Map and will be highlighted at easttroy.org.
Eric Grossmeyer of AntiqueWisconsin.com will be on the village square on Saturday, May 25, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. for an “Antique Roadshow”-style antique appraisal event. Bring up to three items for a free appraisal.
The East Troy Family and Community Resource Center will hold its fourth Junk In The Trunk fundraiser sale held in conjunction with the East Troy Community-wide
The rummage will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 25 at Little Prairie Primary, 2131 Townline Road. For more information, contact easttroyfamily@gmail.com or (262) 642-4900.
Entertainment on the East Troy Village Square over the holiday weekend includes:
- Friday, May 24 – Andy Carroll and The People He Owes $ To, 4 to 8 p.m.;
- Saturday, May 25 – Spare Change and Friends, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Lunchmoney Bullies, 3 to 6:30 p.m.;
- Sunday, May 26 – Paulie and The Poor Boys, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; DJ Devast8: Soundtrack to Your Summer, 2:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Brewfest returns Sunday
Taste the best from local breweries and homebrewers Sunday afternoon when the East Troy Area Chamber of Commerce’s fourth annual Brewfest returns from 3 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 26, at East Troy Village Square Park, 2881 Main St.
The event features unlimited samples of more than 45 craft beers and micro brews from area breweries, including East Troy Brewery, The Hive Taproom, Lakefront Brewery, City Lights Brewing and more.
Brewfest also highlights the best local homebrewers in East Troy, bringing out their best drafts for attendees to taste and rate.
“This year’s Homebrew Contest winner will get to brew their recipe with head brewer Ryan Hammerel at East Troy Brewery,” East Troy Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Vanessa Lenz said. “This event is a great chance to be outdoors in an awesome setting with live music, an impressive beer lineup and delicious food.”
Attendees will get a chance to sample any beer they’d like and will receive a commemorative East Troy Brewfest glass and food samples from Hometown Sausage Kitchen and Grassway Organics.
General admission tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door. For more information, visit easttroy.org.
Experience the chocolate
Chocolatefest returns for its annual weekend of fun Friday through Monday, May 24 to 27, on the festival grounds at 681 Maryland Ave. The carnival opens with free admission Thursday, May 23, from 5 to 10 p.m.
The four-day festival brings chocolate lovers near and far to Burlington where vendors await to cater to their cocoa craving. 2019 brings the theme “Viva Choco Vegas!”
The Veterans Memorial Day Parade is at 9 a.m. May 27. Parade route is Kane Street to Milwaukee Avenue to Echo Park followed by a ceremony at 10:30 a.m. honoring all veterans.
Radio stations will again broadcast live from the festival grounds.
The Main Stage music lineup includes:
- Thursday, May 23 – Cherry Pie, 7 p.m. (free festival admission);
- Friday, May 24 – Bella Cain, 8:30 p.m.;
- Saturday, May 25 – Lara Bell at noon; Squad 51, 2 p.m.; Dayrollers, 5:30 p.m.; Almighty Vinyl, 8:30 p.m.;
- Sunday, May 26 –Gravity of Youth at noon; Mad Bark, 2 p.m.; Astro Blues Band, 5:30 p.m.; Lunch Money Bullies, 8:30 p.m.; and
- Monday, May 27 – The Britins at noon; PF and the Flatheads, 3:30 p.m.
The Chocolate Experience Tent will be open from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday.
See Alice in Dairyland, Adrian’s Sundae contest, chocolate-eating contests, live chocolate sculpting daily, warm Nestle tollhouse cookies, and chef demonstrations with samples very day. Chocolate Experience taster tickets are $7 for a jackpot of 12 yummy chocolate samples.
Festival events include hypnotist and magician Chris Jones, Granpa Cratchet, food and retail vendors, Commercial Expo Tent, petting zoo, NASCAR exhibit, helicopter rides, Kid Buck$ game show and much more! Live mariachi band plays at noon every day. 5 stages of entertainment means a jackpot of FUN for everyone in the family.
The Jaycees Arts and Crafts Show will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Echo Park, Highway 36.
Festival hours are 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday (carnival only, free admission), 4 p.m. to midnight Friday, 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday and Sunday and noon to 7 p.m. Memorial Day.
Tickets at the gate cost $8 for ages 13 and older and $5 for children ages 5 to 12. Community Impact Day for Love, Inc. will be May 27 when admission is $5. On-grounds parking costs $5.
Pay-one-price carnival bands are $30 on grounds. It includes unlimited rides for one day.
For more information and tickets, go to www.chocolatefest.com.
