Bonduel celebration alive again after COVID

Bonduel’s Independence Day celebration looked a little different this year than last year.

In 2020, visitors to the festivities were socially distanced in a block radius. This year, however, hundreds of people lined Green Bay and Washington streets shoulder to shoulder in anticipation of the events.

The day kicked off with the 110th annual parade that started at the Bonduel schools, ran down Green Bay Street, turned on Washington Street and finished at Village Park. Music, food and baseball games then followed the parade.

“It is wonderful that everyone can get back together and not worry about the pandemic,” said Shawano resident Mark Reinke.

Getting back together seemed to be the common theme among visitors as many people packed the bleachers for the baseball games and the beer tent to help stay cool in 90 degree weather.

“Our favorite part of the day has been seeing all of the families and friends,” Reinke said. “It is good to see everyone that you haven’t seen all summer.”

Featured in the parade were floats that promoted local dairy companies. Instead of tossing candy for families, things like string cheese and milk were handed out.

“One of our favorite things was getting all of the dairy products in the parade,” said Kasia Klaus, who was visiting with her family from Green Bay. “I think that is what separates this one from other parades. That is what we always brag to people about. It is definitely Wisconsin dairy.”

With a larger attendance than last year, one resident said that he has seen more new faces than he has in the past.

“We have been coming here since we were little kids,” said Bonduel resident Jackson Jiskra. “Look at how packed this place is. I do not know any of these people, to be honest with you.”

Having the full celebration back brought a sense of cheerfulness to those who have visited in the past, but were deprived during the pandemic.

“We were not here for the events last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Bonduel resident Becky Dendler. “Having this in the community helps people be happy and be optimistic. It is just all positive.”

“Having this back with everyone together is a good feeling,” added Lisa Lamay, who was visiting from Pulaski.

Jeff Dendler, who also lives in Bonduel, showed acknowledgement to the village of Bonduel for its efforts in handling the pandemic.

“I thought it was great to have the parade this year and to help keep the town going,” he said. “It is great that everyone can get back together now that COVID is over. It is a good town to live in — Ythe school was open all year. You can’t beat that.”

Members of one family appreciated that they were able to spend time with each other and other Shawano County residents in a celebration.

“We were not here last year due to COVID,” said Tiffany Sumnicht, who often makes the trip north with her family from Green Bay. “It is a relief and it feels like normal that everyone can get back together. The social aspect of not feeling so secluded and that life really does go on is a good feeling.”

Sumnicht’s husband, Drew, who grew up in the village, admired how Bonduel is able to pull off a great Fourth of July event.

“For what is, for being a small town, it has always been an impressive event,” said Drew Sumnicht.

Throughout the day, tickets were being sold to visitors as they had a chance to win a bike donated by local businesses in the bike raffle. More than 100 bikes were up for grabs during the raffle. The bike raffle was one of the more highly sought after events at the celebration.

“The bike raffle is amazing,” said Tiffany Sumnicht. “It is above and beyond anywhere that I know.”

“The kids always love the bike raffle,” said Klaus.

Games including chicken poop bingo — where players selected a number, then fed chickens and whatever number the droppings landed on was deemed the winner — balloon pop, where darts were thrown at balloons corresponding with prizes, and yard games were also featured.

The day continue with two baseball games, a Dairyland game between Cecil and Bonduel and a Legion game between Shawano and Bonduel.

The day concluded with Bonduel’s annual fireworks show.

lreimer@newmedia-wi.com