WEYAUWEGA – The seventh annual Veterans Backyard Bash returns to the Waupaca County Fairgrounds Sept. 4-5, bringing together live entertainment, community competitions and fundraising to support local military veterans.
The annual event was founded by Brad Lind, owner of Lind Excavating and Landscaping. While Lind could not serve in the armed forces himself, several of his relatives are veterans.
“I do it because it means a lot to me,” Lind said. “We’re going to take care of our veterans.”
The event was initially held at Lind’s Fremont-area home, but after drawing upwards of 4,000 attendees to his yard, organizers moved the event to the Waupaca County Fairgrounds last year.
The bash operates as an all-volunteer effort in partnership with the nonprofit Community Benefit Tree. According to Lind, 100% of event proceeds go directly to assist local veterans. The event has raised nearly $126,000 for veterans since it began.
Organizers began festival activities early with a monthlong Poker Run from Aug. 1 through Sept. 4. Poker sheets are available for $10 per hand, with a four-hand limit per player, at 20 participating area businesses, including Hotel Fremont, Beck’s Pub & Grill and Bear Lake Campground. In addition to supporting local veterans with the proceeds going toward the cause, every hand purchased serves as an entry into a $100 gift card drawing. Players will gather Friday night at the Waupaca County Fairgrounds for the final card draw.
The main festival begins at 6 p.m. Friday with food, beverages, raffles, children’s activities and live music from The Spicy Tie Band, which will perform until 9:30 p.m. General admission and parking are free, with donations accepted throughout the grounds.
A 10-game bingo fundraiser will begin at 6 p.m. Friday inside the fairgrounds’ grandstand pavilion. Entry is $60, with $10 going directly to the veterans fund and $50 allocated for cash prizes. Pre-registration is preferred by calling or texting Dewey at 715-240-0792.
Saturday’s activities begin with a vendor market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration for a cornhole tournament opens at 9:30 a.m., with the tournament beginning at 10:30 a.m. The registration fee is $25, with cash prizes awarded to winners.
A 90-mile UTV ride also is planned for Saturday. Riders must register at the Waupaca County Fairgrounds by 10:30 a.m. The ride costs $10 per rider and includes a dice run, scavenger hunt and 50/50 raffle.
Additional Saturday highlights include an Under The Lights (UTL) pro wrestling tournament inside the pavilion starting at 3 p.m., face painting by Ali from 1 to 5 p.m., a static display of a replica F-16 jet, and a tentative 1 p.m. fly-in by the ThedaStar helicopter if available.
Live music will continue throughout Saturday with performances by Sizzlin Sonny’s Rockin Roadshow, the Dave Steffen Band, Illegal Formation and Mt. Olive Band.
A formal veterans ceremony is scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday, followed by a professional fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. to close the event. Lind noted that the 5K race held in previous years has been discontinued.
A free shuttle service will operate Saturday from noon to 2 a.m. The route features hourly pickups at locations including the Fremont River Deck in Fremont, Hahn-A-Lula Resort in Orihula, Road Rash in Poy Sippi, JR’s Sportsman’s Bar in Waupaca, the parking lot next to Festival Foods in New London, Mimi’s in Auroraville and Beck’s in West Bloomfield.
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