By Brandi Makuski
PLOVER — One of the village’s largest annual community celebrations returns this weekend as Celebrate Plover brings two days of live entertainment, family activities, a car show, vendors and a fireworks spectacular to Lake Pacawa Park.
The free event runs Friday, July 24, and Saturday, July 25, with organizers expecting thousands of visitors to attend. The festival is entirely volunteer-run and funded through donations and sponsorships, with proceeds either reinvested into future events or donated to public-use areas in Plover.
Celebrate Plover has evolved over the years from previous events known as Downtown Plover Days, Golden Sands Festival and Freedom Fest. Organizers said the current name better reflects the event’s goal of bringing businesses, residents and visitors together to celebrate the community.
Festivities begin Friday at 4:30 p.m. with food and beverages available throughout the evening. The Jack Stand Racin’ Car Club car show starts at 5 p.m., followed by a kids fun run at 5:30 p.m. The Lake Pacawa Run, Walk & Roll 5K begins at 6 p.m., with live music from The Jerry Schmitt Band continuing until 11 p.m.
Saturday’s schedule starts with a volleyball tournament at 9 a.m. The outdoor business expo runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., while craft vendors remain open until 6 p.m.
Other Saturday highlights include a veterans tribute at the bandshell, a performance by Dance Dynamics, a pickleball clinic, youth activities, live music throughout the afternoon and evening, and displays of big rigs, tractors and heavy equipment.
Entertainment includes performances by Soul Whiskey from 2 to 6 p.m., Kaylin Kole and Matthew Paul from 6 to 8 p.m., and Outlaw’d from 8 p.m. until midnight.
The celebration concludes with a choreographed fireworks show at dusk Saturday. If weather forces a postponement, the fireworks will be rescheduled for Sunday evening.
Admission and parking are free. Organizers ask attendees not to bring pets or outside food and beverages.
They also reminded visitors that only law enforcement agencies are permitted to operate drones during the event.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source spmetrowire.com ’
