Commission approves summer events, farmers market and tournaments; accepts donations

The West Bend Parks and Recreation Commission approved a package of events and permits at its February meeting, including 10 fee-waived special events in Regner Park and related locations and separate approvals for the Downtown Farmers Market, Music on Maine and a Father’s Day youth tournament.

Staff listed the 10 fee-waived events as Bachfest (this Saturday), an Easter Egg Hunt (March 23), a kids’ fishing clinic (April 13), the Roots & Branches spring cleanup (April 20), a Baird Shred event (May 9), the Lac La Rann Wildflower sale (Mother’s Day weekend), a Silverbrook Intermediate fun run (May 29), a new Regner Park Beach Beer Garden (May 30–June 1), a Friends of Park and Recreation event, and a Westman Athletic Association adult softball tournament (June 20–23 at Quass Creek). The commission voted to approve the grouped no-fee events; staff reminded the public that each event still requires city permits, liability insurance and clerk’s-office review.

Separately the commission approved the Downtown West Bend Association’s farmers market at Old Settlers Park (May 18–Oct. 26) and Music on Maine (evenings May 30–Sept. 5). The West Bend Little League Father’s Day tournament (June 14–16) at Quass Creek, Riverside Park and Carl Cook Field was also approved; staff noted MOUs reduce certain fees for league events.

Staff reported donations supporting events and programming: West Bend Mutual Insurance Charitable Trust ($2,500) and two business sponsors (Delta Defense LLC and Dielectric Manufacturing Inc., $12.50 each) for the Dirty Ninja Mud Run for kids; Knights of Columbus raised $65 at a Holy Angels School free-throw contest and the amount was matched by Judy Steffes for a combined $130 to benefit Special Olympics; Friends of Lac La Rann Conservancy donated $12,450 for improvements to the conservancy’s north barn entrance carried out by BMCI Construction.

The package of events and donations was approved by voice vote.

Why it matters: the approvals set the calendar for many community-focused activities that drive recreation use and fundraising for the Parks department; staff emphasized permit and insurance requirements and the role of volunteer partnerships in supporting operations.