2015 verona hometown days

Hometown Days 2015June 4-7 Verona, WI

A special supplement to the Verona Press

InsideChamber in charge again Page 2

Fireworks move to Friday Page 3

New ‘Community Night’ Page 3

Pancake Breakfast returns Page 4

Music acts Pages 6-7

‘Safe Ride Home’ bus back Page 7

Prepare for the parade Page 9

2 June 4, 2015 The Verona Press ConnectVerona.comHometown Days 2015

Big changes in year 2 of chamber managementFestival now falls on first weekend in June, fireworks will be Friday night

Scott GirardUnified News Group

When the Verona Area Chamber of Commerce decided to take over Home-town Days last year, execu-tive director Karl Curtis did not want to make a ton of changes.

But this year, the chamber is making some “signifi-cant” decisions, most nota-bly the festival being held a weekend earlier than nor-mal.

“Last year, we noticed a large number of people, as soon as school let out, took off for vacation,” Curtis said.

The festival, which had historically fallen on the second weekend in June, will move up to the first weekend this year to avoid a conflict with Verona Area High School graduation and Mount Horeb’s Summer Frolic community festival.

Curtis called the change an “experiment,” and said the chamber will evaluate whether it was a “positive” after the festival.

It’s not the only date change, though, as the fire-works will also be a dif-ferent night this year, with the sky lighting up Friday instead of Thursday.

Curtis said both of those changes, plus the return of some other formerly popular activities like the Sunday pan-cake breakfast and the “Safe Ride Home” bus, have been

a result of simply “responding to what people tell us.” The chamber also added a Thurs-day night “community night” in the beer tent after a last-minute scramble to add a new activity, and Verona Area Community Theater will

provide babysitting services Friday and Saturday nights.

Curtis hopes to receive more ideas moving forward, too.

“I would like to hear from people in Verona,” Curtis said. “Do they have good

ideas? Have they been to festivals elsewhere they did something really cool that we could incorporate?”

He encouraged people to contact him with any ideas, whether original or something they’ve seen

somewhere else.“The Chamber isn’t some

kind of big, monolithic tem-ple that you have to do spe-cial things to come and talk to us,” Curtis said with a laugh. “There’s no admission fee to stop by my office.”

He said with ideas from the community and within the chamber, he hopes to “spice this thing up” in future years to avoid the festival becoming “predict-able.”

“The word I hear from other people around these festivals, they’re starting to become predictable,” he said. “When you become predictable, people begin to lose interest.”

Even with the major changes this year, and poten-tially more in the future, Curtis said the Chamber running the festival provides it with some “stability” it hasn’t had recently.

“We’re not going any-place,” he said. “We’ve been around Verona for a long time.”

For Curtis, there are no regrets of taking on the com-munity’s annual festival.

“If you don’t mess with the template, things go real-ly, really smoothly,” he said. “You can make it hard run-ning the festival, but if you don’t do that the people who help us run this know what they’re doing.”

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For more info, go to active.com (search Verona Hometown Days). Sponsored by Capitol Bank.

Photo by Evan Halpop

In its second year of managing Hometown Days, the Verona Area Chamber of Commerce is experimenting with a new weekend and new night for the fireworks show.

June 4, 2015 The Verona PressConnectVerona.com 3Hometown Days 2015

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adjustment made to accommodate school schedulesJacob bielanSki

Unified Newspaper Group

It has been, Chamber of Com-merce executive director Karl Cur-tis said, the “biggest complaint” of Hometown Days.

“I’ve heard for the past 20 years ... ‘Why are the fireworks on Thursday? It’s a school night,’” Curtis said.

This year the pyrotechnics show

is scheduled to start at 9:30 p.m. on Friday, June 5.

Curtis told the Press that timing had been less of an issue in years past, when the fireworks show

came on a night that preceded the last day of school for the year. With Hometown Days moved up a full week for 2015, students are facing a full week of classes after the festivities. And that, Cur-tis said, persuaded the chamber to finally “give in to (the) public desire” and move the show.

For the second year, the pyro-technics display for Hometown Days is paid for by Epic Systems Corporation, and it should be approximately the same size as last year’s display, Curtis said.

In the event of inclement weath-er, the show will be moved to Sat-urday, June 6, at 9:30 p.m.

Fireworks show moves to Friday

‘Community night’ offers chance to win free prizesMark iGnatowSkiUnified Newspaper Group

Sometimes just showing up is all it takes to be a winner.

On Thursday night at Home-town Days, that’s all you have to do in order to win a raffle prize at the new “community and busi-ness appreciation night.” Plus, you get the added bonus of live music, food and some refresh-ments at the beer tent.

Thursday has historically been a bit of a financial loss for the annual Hometown Days festival, Verona Area Chamber of Com-merce executive director Karl Curtis told the Press. Smaller crowds and fewer beer sales usu-ally put organizers a few hundred dollars in the hole, he said.

But this year’s event hopes to turn that around by offering free prizes – including a flat screen TV – to anyone who drops their name in a hat at the beer tent Thursday night.

“There’s no cover charge,” Curtis explained, adding that there will be raffle cards for peo-ple to write their name and phone number on as they walk into the tent.

The event is open to adults 21 and older, and the only other requirement is that you be pres-ent to win, Curtis said.

Prizes include $25 or $50 gift cards to local businesses and res-taurants, a $200 Miller and Sons gift card and a flat-screen TV. Curtis said the prizes will given out in no specific order, so that anyone will have a chance to

win a larger prize throughout the night.

“It depends on when your name gets drawn,” Curtis said. “We’ll spread them out.”

Drawings wi l l t ake p lace approximately every 20 min-utes starting at 7 p.m., but there might be a few bonus drawings, depending on how many prizes the chamber has to give away.

Cover band Daniel Anderson Trio will provide live music from 7-10 p.m.

“(They’re) a lot of fun,” Curtis said. “They’re really good.”

Kids will be able to enjoy rides during wristband night at the midway while parents wait to win prizes inside the tent, Curtis said.

T h u r s d a y w a s o r i g i n a l l y planned to be a Battle of the Bands event aimed at getting another activity for teenagers. But there wasn’t enough inter-est from bands, so the chamber decided to go with the commu-nity night plan and drum up sup-port for a possible Battle of the Bands next year.

If you goWhat: Community and business

appreciation nightWhen: 7-10 p.m., Thursday,

June 4Where: Hometown U.S.A.

Community ParkInfo: veronahometowndays.

com

Photo by Evan Halpop

This year’s fireworks display should be approximately the same size as last year’s.

If you goWhat: Hometown Days fire-

works displayWhere: Friday, June 5 at

9:30 p.m.When: Hometown U.S.A.

Community ParkInfo: veronahometowndays.

com


Visit the Verona Area Chamber of Commerce Tent at Hometown Days 2015

for a chance to win one of more than 80 prizes!You Could Win Prizes Like:

• Xbox

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• Gas Grill

• 3 Bicycles

• Gas Cards

• Digital Camera

• Toys

• Gift Certificates

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Platinum Sponsors:Ace Hardware • Miller & Sons Supermarket

Gold Sponsors:Oak Bank • TDS Telecom • Culver’s of Verona • Krantz Electric

Silver Sponsors:

5th QuarterAdkin’s Bicycle Shop

Animal Hospital of VeronaBoebel Valuation and Tax

City of VeronaElysee Scientific Cosmetics

Fiscal FitnessFour Winds ManorGreat Rock Realty

Krell InsuranceMidwest Family BroadcastingOnce Upon a Time Childcare

Postal ConnectionsState Bank of Cross Plains

Stellar RehabilitationSVA Accounting

The Employer GroupUltrazone

Verona Press

Thank you to all the sponsors who make Spin the Wheel a success!

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Sunday morning pancake breakfast returnsSaMantha chriStianUnified Newspaper Group

On the way to t he Hometown Days parade that begins at noon Sun-day, families can stop by and grab breakfast or brunch along the parade route. Verona Area Com-munity Theater is organiz-ing a pancake breakfast at Park Bank, at the corner of Main Street and Verona Avenue, from 7:30 a.m. to noon.

The breakfast has not been a part of Hometown Days for several years. The Verona Fire Depart-ment used to run it out of the firehouse, but it became more than the group of volunteers could manage.

VACT jumped on the opportunity to take over the event when approached by the Verona Area Cham-ber of Commerce.

“It was always a very popular event, and we are thrilled VACT has picked it up,” chamber executive director Karl Curtis said. “The fact that it will be downtown at the parade route makes it even more convenient for the commu-nity.”

A regular ticket provides

a serving of pancakes, eggs and applesauce. Bev-erages of coffee, apple juice or orange juice are also included. Tickets are $7 for adults, $4 for chil-dren 3-10 years old and free for kids under 2. Peo-ple can also purchase tick-ets for breakfast meat and desserts for $2 each.

Aside from the meal, there will also be face painting, raffles and a silent auction that fea-tures summer attractions. VACT will be selling mer-chandise for its upcoming show, “Shrek the Musi-cal,” and will possibly have characters present.

All proceeds will ben-efit VACT’s new building project. For more informa-tion, visit vact.org.

‘Parents Night Out’ childcare offered Friday, SaturdaySaMantha chriStianUnified Newspaper Group

Hometown Days offers a plethora of activities for fam-ilies to do together over the weekend, but sometimes it’s nice for adults to take a break from the kids, and vice versa.

Instead of having to search for a babysitter to get away at night, parents of kids ages 5-13 have another option this year. Verona Area Com-munity Theater is offering

“Parents Night Out” from 6-11 p.m. Friday and Satur-day nights.

“Their parents can go have a date night or if they wanted to go listen to a band at Hometown Days they can go,” said the event’s lead organizer, Alyssa Dvorak.

The event will include the movie “Shrek” on Fri-day night and “Shrek 2” on Saturday night to recognize VACT’s upcoming produc-tion of “Shrek the Musical.”

Once the movie is finished, there will be dancing in the main room, board games and movies in the quiet room. Although no full meal will be provided, there will be snacks and beverages.

“We will have juice and water and possibly soda available as beverages,” she said. “As well as a continu-ous flow of snacks, such as popcorn, candy and cook-ies.”

VACT has lined up about

eight to 10 volunteers for each night to chaperone this new event.

People who register their children in advance will pay less than parents who register their children the day of the event, which is $25 per child.

The early registration cost to attend one night is $20 for the first child, $15 for the second child and $10 for any additional children. For those who would like to advance register for both nights, the cost is $35 for the first child, $25 for the second and $15 for any additional children.

Cash or checks, made out to VACT, are accepted.

For more information, email [email protected]. Registration forms are available at vact.org.

If you goWhat: Pancake break-

fastWhen: 7:30 a.m. to

noon Sunday, June 7Where: Park Bank, 104

S. Main St.Cost: $7 adults, $4 kids

3-10, free under 2Info: vact.org

If you goWhat: “Parents Night

Out”For: Kids ages 5-13When: 6-11 p.m. Friday,

June 5 and Saturday, June 6

Where: VACT building, 405 Bruce St.

Cost: $25/child walk-in registration

Info: vact.org, [email protected]

VACT hosts a pair of fundraisers

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Spin the wheel for prizesA par tnership begun

last year and continuing for Hometown Days 2015 between the Verona Area Chamber of Commerce and the Verona Lions Club will have the Spin game as big as ever.

This year a variety of chamber businesses have donated over 80 prizes ranging from gift certifi-cates to toys to patio furni-ture to high-end electronic devices, all available to be won by each player.

The difference between a standard raffle and the chamber’s Spin game is the player chooses which prizes

he would like to vie for.If you really want a lap-

top computer for your kids. Simply take all your tick-ets and place them in the drawing bucket for that item. Say you want to win a new gas grill, but your husband would rather win a new crock pot, the pair of you can divide your tick-ets between the two items. Players can spread their tickets between five prizes, 10 prizes, or every prize offered. The choice is up to you.

The Verona Area Cham-ber of Commerce uses the funds raised at Hometown

Days to fund its operations and activities throughout the year. Among the pub-lic events the chamber has funded is a $500 scholar-ship for a Verona Area High School senior and Verona’s Concerts in the Park.

By coming to the Spin Tent and trying to win one of the many prizes avail-able, you will not only have fun but you will also be helping the chamber and the Lions Club to carry on their work in the commu-nity. The tent is located just past the food stand near the Community Park entrance.

Top prizes$500 Miller’s gift card2 x $250 Miller’s gift

card32” Samsung TVAn Xbox systemA pair of Beats

headphonesA bike valued at $500

from AtkinsAn iPod touchA Samsung blu-ray

player

A GPS$250 in cash from Krell

InsuranceA digital cameraAn electric guitarOver 75 other prizes

Photo by Scott Girard

The Lions Club will once again run the Spin-the-Wheel event at this year’s festival.


ENJOY HOMETOWN DAYS 2015!Remember us for all your grilling and picnic needs

Full liquor department

Open during the festival

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Cherry Pie returns to headline Hometown Days musicbill livickUnified Newspaper Group

Light shows, loud music and big hair in the style of 1980s rock. That’s Cherry Pie , an award-winning band based in Milwaukee and this year’s Hometown Days headliner.

Popular throughout the Midwest, the high-energy band formed in 1999 and in 2000 adopted the name Cherry Pie. I t features Dave Zettle on guitar, John Swenson on lead vocals, Case Villand on bass and vocals, Frank Babeck on drums and Josh Becker on keyboards, guitar and vocals.

In an interview, Becker told the Press the band tends to “ignite things” on stage.

“Frank, the drummer, is a real showman – always twirl ing his s t icks and drawing attention to him-self,” Becker said. “John’s s i n g i n g i s e s p e c i a l l y impressive, because what-ever you think about the vocal stylings of Journey’s Steve Perry or Motley Crew’s Vince Neal, those hyper tenors are not easy to imitate. He’s a great front-man, too.”

Becker described the b a n d ’ s s h o w s a s p a r t machismo and part kitsch. He admitted that what the band does is “sort of silly”

on one level, but with a high level of musicianship and commitment.

He said the band takes its craft seriously and has pride in its music, “but we try not to take the whole thing too seriously.”

“We’re paying tribute but also sort of mocking all at the same time,” Becker said. “We are good at what we do, but we don’t want to be taken too seriously. I think that’s the antith-esis of what the ‘90s were about. I’ve always felt that the bands of the ‘90s, like Nirvana and others, took themselves seriously with-out taking their craft seri-ously. We’re like the other way around.”

Cher ry P ie ’ s newes t member, bassist Villand, joined the group last year with “an amazing vocal range,” Becker said.

“He has strengthened our harmonies,” he said. “It’s like having another lead singer.”

The band has averaged about five shows a month

for the last 14 years and has been recognized with Wisconsin Area Music Industry awards.

To get a sense of what to expect, Becker listed some of the band’s favorite art-ists: Bon Jovi, Beck, Rush, Van Halen, Slayer, Ste-vie Ray Vaughn and Alice Cooper.

He said the band thrives on performing for large audiences.

“One o f the b igges t thr i l ls for me, person-ally, is like when we play ‘Wanted Dead or Alive’ by Bon Jovi, usually the crowd wi l l s ing a long really loud,” he said. “And during that whole f irst verse, it’s really nothing but acoustic guitar and lead vocal. And a lot of times John will stop singing and the whole crowd will sing the first verse while I play acoustic guitar.

“When you’ re do ing that for like 3,000 or 4,000 people at a festival or a big concert, that is unbeliev-able.”

If you goWho: Cherry PieWhen: 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 6Where: WBC beer tentCost: $7

‘We’re paying tribute but also sort of

mocking all at the same time.’

Josh Becker Cherry Pie

Photo by Jim Ferolie

WBC beer tentHometown Days will once again have a beer tent with live music. The tent will open at 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday and noon Saturday.. Children under the age of 13 are welcome on Thursday and also on Saturday until 6 p.m. when accompanied by an adult. All visitors to the beer tent must be 21 or older on Friday.


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‘Safe Ride Home’ bus returnsrides offered Friday, Saturday nights within five miles

There will once again be a bus to ensure those who have one too many at the beer tent make it home safely.

The bus was discontin-ued last year when the cost was prohibitive, but Verona Police Department Sgt. Jesse Christensen worked with the Dane County Sher-iff’s Office to get a grant to bring the bus back.

Verona Area Chamber of Commerce executive direc-tor Karl Curtis said there were “zero problems in the beer tent” last year, but the bus “adds to the ability to be responsible.”

“It’s just a safety thing,” he said. “It’s easy to have one beer too many.”

The bus will offer rides to those within a five-mile radius of the festival from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights.

The program is in con-junction with the Wisconsin Department of Transporta-tion and First Student Inc. bus company.

Charm School RejectsWhen: 8 p.m., Friday, June 5Where: WBC tentCost: $7The Charm School Rejects have been a Madison-based cover band since 2010. The

six-piece band has been a Madison Area Music Award finalist for Cover Band of the Year and Pop Rock Performer for the past three years. The band has also been nominated for Madison’s Best Local Band by Madison Magazine. It features Sharona on lead vocals, Chris Bengry on bass and vocals, Ray Hubbard on guitar and vocals, Paul Schluter on guitar and vocals, Chuck Philyaw on keyboard and vocals and Steve Schroeder on drums.

The band specializes in covering Top 40 hits and is a regular act on the local festival and concert scene, performing at community events such as Hometown Days and at local clubs such as the Badger Bowl and Quaker Stake and Lube.

The Daniel Anderson TrioWhen: 7 p.m., Thursday, June 4Where: WBC tentCost: FreeThe Daniel Anderson Trio features original songwriting and the three-part harmonies of

Anderson and his band mates Mike Tully and Katie Gaynor.Anderson has been a lifelong musician, learning piano and guitar before his 10th birth-

day. He’s supported by Tully with his incredible fingerstyle guitar playing and the powerfully sweet vocals of Gaynor singing both lead and harmonies. The vocal blend of this group is a centerpiece to the well-crafted songwriting featuring memorable melodies and lyrics. The trio performs a mix of Americana, blues and jazz with classical overtones.

Anderson moved to Madison from his native New York state in 1992. He formed a jazz ensemble, and a decade later opened Boxcar Music Studios. Working with a wide range of solo artists and bands, Anderson built Boxcar Studios into one of the premier recording facilities in the region.

Other weekend acts

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HoursM-F 9am-6pm

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Photo courtesy The Daniel Anderson Trio


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Hometown Days food gets colder

Jacob bielanSkiUnified News Group

Nothing fights back the heat of a late Wisconsin spring like a snow cone.

For the first time, this year’s Hometown Days will include Kona Ice among the food vendors. The national shaved ice franchise typically operates out of food trucks, and has a local presence throughout Dane Coun-ty, including Verona.

In addition to frozen treats, this year’s food tents promise many of the same fea-tures from last year, many benefiting local

organizations. The Verona Area Needs Net-work, for example, will be frying cheese curds for charity, while the Optimist Club will be grilling up festival-time favorites.

As in years past, the Verona Area Active Adults will yet again offer what they have called the “best” strawberry shortcake.

The food vendors open at 5 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and at 11 a.m. on Sat-urday and noon on Sunday. From Thurs-day through Saturday, the food vendors stay open until approximately the close of the festival. Food vendors will pack up at around 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Shaved ice new to this year’s food court

ZooZort returnsThe ZooZort Exotic Animals show has become a popular feature in recent years at Hometown Days and will be back again this year. Kids can see a variety of animals like a python or a hissing cock-roach at one of the group’s three live stage shows.

ZooZort’s shows will be Saturday at 2 and 4 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

For more information on Zoozort, visit zoozort.com.


Photo by Mark Ignatowski

Plenty of local groups will serve up food this weekend.


Enjoy the Hometown Celebration!

Hometown U.S.A. Festival Parade

Parade map proudly sponsored by:

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Sunday, June 14th at Noon

Festival Grounds

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Sunday parade packs plenty of participants, but no bandcurtis: ‘Pretty much the same as last year’Scott de laruelleUnified Newspaper Group

Everyone loves a parade, and this year’s Hometown Days main event will once again have a familiar look to folks who have enjoyed it over the years.

“It’s pretty much the same as last year,” said Verona Area Chamber of Commerce executive director Karl Curtis.

The parade will begin at noon on Sunday and follow the same route – starting at Paoli Street and South Nine Mound Road, then heading down South Main Street to West Verona Avenue, where it ends at Legion Street. South Nine Mound Road will be used as the parade staging area. Near-ly 70 participants will march along the route, including the Madison West Taiko Drum-mers and representatives from local businesses.

Curtis said it was disap-pointing to lose the march-ing band this year – due to a scheduling conflict, t he Lakes ide Lu the ran High School band could not attend. Citing the scar-ci ty of marching bands and the “very expensive” cost to book them, he said

the chamber would like to work with Verona Area High School to see if they can “get some type of local school musical presence” at next year’s parade.

“Even if it was a jazz band on a flatbed trailer (such as what performs in the Home-coming parade), I think the citizens of Verona would like to see local students performing in the parade,” Curtis said.

If you goWhat: Hometown Days

paradeWhen: Noon Sunday,

June 7Where: Starts at Paoli

and Nine Mound roads, to S. Main St. and W. Verona Ave.

Info: veronahometowndays.com

Three runs set for SundayThe weekend will include three runs and a

walk Sunday morning.The 5k and 10k runs and 5k walk will begin at

Harriet Park at 7:30 a.m. Registration will begin at the pavilion at 7 a.m., and those interested can also pre-register on Active.com by searching for “Verona, WI.”

Later that morning, the Kids Fun Run will begin at 11:40 a.m. Sunday, 20 minutes before the parade is set to start, and follow the same route as the parade. Children can register for the run beginning at 11:15 a.m. in front of Sugar River United Methodist Church.

Email [email protected] with any questions ahead of the run.


A group of kids runs down the hill on West Verona Avenue in last year’s Kids Fun Run. Photos by Scott Girard

Above, a group of kids waves to their father climbing a New Glarus fire truck’s ladder in last year’s parade. Right, a clown waves to fami-lies lining the street at the start of the parade.


Wenzel’s brings carnival back for third yearScott GirardUnified Newspaper Group

Wenzel’s Amazements is back to bring plenty of fun rides for people of all ages to choose from at Home-town Days.

The carnival company, which operates at similar events elsewhere in Dane County, took over two years ago after Calkins Midways had a conflict with Mount Horeb’s community festi-val. Calkins had previously handled the carnival since Hometown Days began in 1979.

The carnival will be open from 5 to 10 p.m. Thurs-day and Friday, and at noon Saturday and Sunday. Wristbands will be accept-ed until 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Wenzel, a second-gen-eration family business owned by Ann and Harvey Wenzel, has been in busi-ness since 1982 and runs more than a dozen carnivals around the state each year.

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a -tion on the company and the rides it offers, visit wenzelamazements.com.

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COME ON DOWN TO HOMETOWN DAYS!

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Wenzel’s Amazements is back at Hometown Days this year to fill the fairgrounds with fun and enter-taining rides for kids and parents.

Get your tickets

Tickets purchased on the festival grounds are $1 each or 22 for $20.

Wristbands purchased at the event are $18 and good for that day only. Wristband times are 5-10 p.m. Thursday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more informa-tion, visit veronahometowndays.com


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We’d Like to Thank Our Sponsors for their support of the

Hometown Days Run/Walk.Please support our generous sponsors:

Miller & Sons, Sweeney Construction, Stafford Rosenbaum LLP, First Business Financial Services, Inc., Culver’s, Capitol Bank,

State Bank of Cross Plains, Kehl School of Dance, Zurbuchen Oil & Berkeley Running Company.

Same day registration accepted June 7th at 7:00-7:30am at Harriet Park.

10K/5K/Walk starts at 7:45am1K & 2K Kids Run, register at 11:15am, race at 11:40am, Sugar River United Methodist Church, 415 W. Verona Ave.

(12 & under Free)

Promoting a healthy lifestyle and fitness

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Why is it ‘Hometown Days?’Verona earned its nickname a few years

before its annual festival began, but the name didn’t stick right away.

“Hometown U.S.A.” was the title bestowed on Verona in 1966 by members of the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division serving in Vietnam after the Verona Press printed a letter to the editor from one of its servicemen, Donald Schmidt.

Because of the free subscription sent to him (partially paid by the American Legion Auxiliary), the printing of his letter and other nostalgic things his fellow servicemen noticed in Schmidt’s description, the unit

declared Verona “the perfect example of Hometown U.S.A.” They asked to adopt it as their honorary hometown.

The title was informal until the Verona Area Chamber of Commerce adopted it in 1985 and created a logo. That year the city designated June 9 Hometown U.S.A. Day.

The annual festival started in 1972 as a quasquicentennial, and a parade was held annually. Eventually, the two were tied together and Hometown U.S.A. Days became shortened by most people as Hometown Days.


Carnival gamesThe carnival includes more than rides, with plenty of games offering a chance to win stuffed animals and more.


Kids activitesSaturday and Sunday afternoons will once again include plenty of activities for kids, including bal-loon animals and face painting.

12 - The Verona Press - Hometown Days 2015 - June 4, 2015

Verona Hometown Days2015 Schedule of Events

For more information and last minute updates visit VeronaHometownDays.com or like us on Facebook!

We’re proud to be part of your Hometown!

430 East Verona Ave.Verona, WI • 845-2010

Thursday, June 4, 2015 - 5-10pm5pm Food Court Opens Beer Tent, 5-11pm Wenzel Amazements Carnival Wristbands, 5-10pm Spin-the-Wheel (VACC tent)6pm COMMUNITY NIGHT! Fun & Give-aways in the Beer Tent! Must be present to win!7pm Home Talent Baseball, Stampfl Field The Daniel Anderson Trio WBC Stage from 7-10pm, no cover charge!

Friday, June 5, 2015 - 5pm-1am5pm Food Court Opens Beer Tent, 5-1 am Wenzel Amazements Carnival Wristbands, 5-10pm Funny Faces Balloon Sculpting: 5pm-8pm Spin-the-Wheel (VACC tent)6pm 6-11pm “Parent’s Night Out” - Enjoy a worry free evening! Kids’ movie and dance party with snacks. Ages 5-14 in the VACT Building. Check-In closes at 8pm. Parents can start checking their kids out at 8:30pm. Walk-ins allowed but there are savings available if you pre-register. Contact Alyssa at [email protected] for more information.6:30pm Adult Softball Tournament8pm Live Music by Charm School Rejects WBC Stage from 8pm-1am, $7 cover charge9:30pm ***FIREWORKS*** Sponsored by Epic Systems

Saturday, June 6, 2015 - 11am-1am8:30am Adult Softball Tournament11am Food Court Opens12pm Wenzel Amazements Carnival, Wristbands 12-5pm Beer Tent, 12pm-1am Spin-the-Wheel (VACC tent) Saturday Market 12pm-6pm ZOOZORT Exotic Animals Live Stage Show, 2pm & 4pm Kids Entertainment Funny Face Balloon Sculpting, 12-5pm Henna Tattoos, 1-4pm Rhapsody Face Painting, 1-4pm6pm 6pm-11pm “Parent’s Night Out” - Enjoy a worry free evening! Kids’ movie and dance party with snacks. Ages 5-14 in the VACT Building. Check-In closes at 8pm. Parents can start checking their kids out at 8:30PM. Walk-ins allowed but there are savings available if you pre-register. Contact Alyssa at [email protected] for more information.8:30pm Live Music by Cherry Pie

WBC Stage from 8:30pm-1am $7 cover charge

Sunday, June 7, 2015 - 7am-6pm7am Annual Fun Run - 5k/10k Run/Walk Register Now! Contact [email protected] with any questions.7:30am VACT Pancake Breakfast at Park Bank 7:30am-12pm9am Adult Softball Tournament11:15am Kids Fun Run registration - Sugar River United Methodist Church (previously Wildcat Lanes) Contact [email protected] with any questions.11:45am Kid’s Fun Run - Parade Route12pm Verona Hometown Days Parade Wenzel Amazements Carnival Wristbands 12-5pm Food Court & Beer Tent 12-6pm Spin-the-Wheel (VACC tent)1pm ZOOZORT Exotic Animals Kids Entertainment Funny Face Balloon Sculpting, 1-4pm Henna Tattoos, 1-4pm Home Talent Baseball, Stampfl Field2:30pm ZOOZORT Exotic Animals Live Stage Show

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2015 verona hometown days

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