No Fun Days this year
COVID-19 takes another large community event off the calendar
The American Legion Alois Dreikosen Post 469 has announced the 63rd annual Fun Days in Marathon City will be cancelled for this year.
A major reason for cancelling the annual Labor Day weekend celebration was that the carnival company contracted for the event pulled out.
“Earlier this month, the carnival company informed us that they were not going to operate for the 2020 season due to COVID-19,” stated Marathon Lions Club treasurer Keith Paul. “The carnival is a major draw for the families that attend Fun Days and not having that is a big impact.”
Several options for continuing with a scaled back Fun Days event were considered but ultimately rejected after a Fun Days planning committee consulted with Marathon City officials regarding public health requirements and concerns.
“This was a very difficult decision for the Legion,” said Brandon Skrzypchak, Fun Days Committee chairperson. “Fun Days has been the end of summer event of our community for decades. Ultimately, the decision was made based on our ability to hold a safe and successful event.”
The American Legion will proceed with its annual Fun Days raffles. Proceeds from the raffle are returned to the community through support of the youth baseball and softball programs as well as donations to other community and school projects. Raffle tickets can be obtained from any American Legion Post 469 member at this time. “Fun Days is a major event for our community and like other communities and organizations, COVID-19 has disrupted our event,” said Andy Kurtz, Marathon City village administrator. “The uncertainty and complications created by impacts of the pandemic make planning and managing these events very difficult. We support the efforts of the American Legion to make it happen and their diffi cult decision to cancel in 2020.”
Fun Days Committee members look forward to celebrating Fun Days next year.
“Planning for Fun Days 2021 will begin shortly and we look forward to having our families, friends and neighbors celebrating with us next year,” said Skrzypchak.
Fun Days draws thousands of people to Marathon City over the Labor Day weekend for fireworks, carnival rides, live music, a pancake breakfast, food stands, beer garden, grilled chicken dinner, parade, old-timers softball tournament, car show and bean bag tournament.
The Fun Days is the major annual fundraiser for American Legion Post 469, American Legion Auxiliary 469, the Marathon City Lions Club, St. Mary’s Home and School and local Boy Scout Troop 458.
