1 month, 2 great events

George Althoff
Executive Director

June is in the history books, and what a month it was. Two of our biggest events of the year – the annual Big Top Parade and our Chamber Golf Classic – occurred within 10 days of each other and both were outstanding successes. And neither one got rained on!
Unlike last year, the June 14 Big Top Parade took place in near-perfect weather conditions. An estimated 25,000 people crowded along the parade route in downtown Baraboo to witness an awesome spectacle of 76 units that included circus wagons, horse teams, marching bands, clowns and community floats. An added bonus this year was The Wheelmen, more than 50 of whom led off the parade riding their antique big-wheeled bicycles.
Hundreds of hours of planning by the Chamber’s Big Top Parade Committee, Circus World and the City of Baraboo police, fire and public works personnel made it all possible. To all of those parties, we extend a rousing thank you.
Of course, staging a parade of this size is an expensive proposition. Financial backing for the event came from more than two dozen businesses who deserve mention:
Presenting sponsor Baraboo State Bank, MAX-FM/Civic Media, Magnum Media, Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells, Terrytown Plumbing, Pizza Ranch, Fairfield Inn & Suites Baraboo, Cell.Plus – U.S. Cellular, Topham Family Foundation, Don Larson GMC Supercenter, Bank of Wisconsin Dells, WCCU Credit Union, Teel Plastics, Andersen Windows & Doors, Prevail Bank, SSM Health/St. Clare Hospital, International Crane Foundation, Dental Associates, Supreme Awards, MBE CPAs, Bachrodt Baraboo Motors, DEZ Tactical Arms, TRICOR Insurance, Seneca Foods, Wisconsin River Title, Community First Bank, Synergy Metalworks, Hill’s Wiring and Geri Pettersen Berkshire Hathaway.
And to the dozens of volunteers who assisted, we could not have done it without you. Thank you.

Whew! Golf outing stays dry
Sometimes, your weather app is wrong. Such was the case on June 24 when 145 golfers took to the links at Baraboo Country Club for the Chamber Golf Classic.
A deluge the night before had left the course soggy but playable. Still, there were those troubling clouds in the sky and multiple weather prognosticators showed rain during the day. Miraculously, nothing materialized and the tourney came off without a drop.
We gave away or sold dozens of raffle prizes and silent auction items, generously donated by many of our members. In addition to an enjoyable round of golf, participants were treated to an excellent meal at the Fore Seasons Restaurant. Many thanks to Club Pro Clint Hutchens and Chef Tony Teasdale and their staff for all of their work.
Presenting sponsor Baraboo State Bank, buffet sponsor Sysco Foods, beverage sponsor Tumbled Rock Brewery & Kitchen, and all of the businesses mentioned above helped support the event financially. A special thanks to Baraboo Fire Chief Kevin Stieve for bringing the department’s ladder truck to the course for our second annual ball drop. And once again, many volunteers stepped up to help with registration, sell raffle tickets and work the betting holes. Without volunteers, we’d be in trouble.
Onward to July.