Model A Day, Lobster Boil and Corn and Brat Festival called off
In the past couple of weeks, announcements came forth that a trio of annual events in the southwest area of Walworth County have been canceled in light of continued uncertainties related to the coronavirus pandemic.
Historic Downtown Sharon’s Model A Day, the Big Foot Lions Club’s Lobster Boil in Fontana, and the Geneva Lake West Rotary’s Corn and Brat Day in Walworth have all been called off for 2020.
Model A Day, which was scheduled for June 7, was canceled by the Historic Downtown Sharon board following a unanimous vote “due to concerns of planning and hosting such a large event in our downtown area due to the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic in the coming months.”
The board, in a post on the group’s Facebook page, said the overall health and wellbeing of the Sharon community was a major concern as the event draws hundreds of people to its downtown area.
Model A Day will not be rescheduled as one of the main event partners, The Rockford A’s, were not interested in setting a later date at this time, according to organizers.
On a positive note, Historic Downtown Sharon said its looking forward to hosting Roun’da Manure on Saturday, August 15.
More information about that event can be found on the new event website, roundamanurebicycletour.com.
Those with questions or concerns can message Historic Downtown Sharon through its Facebook page or send an email to historicdowntownsharon@gmail.com.
Lobster Boil – Steak Fry
The Big Foot Lions Club said the decision to cancel its annual Lobster Boil – Steak Fry event wasn’t made lightly.
“We have given this a lot of thought and feel that it’s in the best of health and safety of our many patrons and the volunteers that help us put on this great fundraiser that we must cancel this year,” event co-chairs Andy Pearce and Joe Abell said in an email.
The Lions Club serves the towns of Linn and Walworth and the villages of Fontana and Walworth.
All the money raised from its fundraisers goes directly back to the local communities, Wisconsin Lions and Lions Club International. The club said it hopes to continue to meet its spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year.
“There is a possibility that some things might need to be cut without the income from our biggest fundraiser, the Lobster Boil. Any donations to our club in this unprecedented time would help us to meet our goal,” the email states.
There is link to make a donation through the website, www.bigfootlions.org. Donations can also be mailed to: Big Foot Lion’s Club, P.O. Box 189, Walworth, WI, 53184
“Save the date for next year’s Lobster Boil on July 31, 2021,” the email states.
Corn and Brat Festival
The Geneva Lake West Rotary Club has decided to cancel its 2020 Corn and Brat Festival, which is held on the square in Walworth and was to take place Aug. 1.
“With the current state of affairs we saw too many obstacles to have a successful Corn and Brat Festival this year,” the club stated in an announcement.
“The Geneva Lake West Rotary Club hopes everyone will understand the board’s decision was not an easy one,” it states.
Not having the event will affect the club’s 2021 donation forecast. To offset that, club members are working on alternative fundraising opportunities in the near future. Updates will be posted on the club’s Facebook page.
Despite having to cancel the Corn and Brat Festival, the club had some good news to share as well.
“(We do) have some reserve cash that can be earmarked for COVID-19 community needs. If anyone in our Geneva Lake west community would like to recommend an organization(s) that can benefit with this reserve, please reach out to us,” the club stated.
Written request are required and can be mailed to: Geneva Lake West Rotary Club, P.O. Box 368, Walworth, WI 53184 or sent via email to walworthfontanarotary@gmail.com.
The requests will be reviewed, vetted and voted on by the Rotary Club’s board.
In other Geneva Lake West Rotary Club news, the 15th Annual Scholarship Golf Outing Fundraiser has been rescheduled for Sept. 17.
For more information about the club, visit www.walworthfontanarotary.org or follow tis Facebook page, Geneva Lake West Rotary Club.
