Fresh from their 10-day run at the Wisconsin State Fair, the Kids from Wisconsin will return to Fond du Lac for their 29th annual free appearance at Buttermilk Creek Park on Wednesday, August 14, at 7:15 p.m. The Lighthouse Big Band and the Fond du Lac Area Children’s Chorale will entertain prior to the Kids’ performance, beginning at 6:00 p.m.
The theme of this year’s show is “Larger Than Life: The Great Entertainers,” showcasing many entertainer icons who impacted the music industry and pop culture into another stratosphere. The troupe will bring to its audiences these “larger than life” performing artists in their highly energized and anticipated 2024 summer production. Featured are historic bands and orchestras that have sold out world stadiums, kings and queens from rock to pop, legendary Broadway stars and classic entertainers that will live forever on the stage and screen.
Since their first performance in 1969, the Kids from Wisconsin show troupe has performed at state and county fairs, festivals, national trade shows and conventions. Their travels have taken them to many hometown stages as well as distinguished stages such as the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., the Performing Arts Center in Milwaukee, Cabo Hall in Detroit, the Convention Center in Atlantic City, and the Canadian National Exhibition. Selected through a rigorous audition process, troupe members not only perform to thousands over the summer, but are trained to provide hands-on, performing arts workshops in many of the communities they perform, helping to spread the love of performing to youth ages 7-13.
Sponsors for this year’s performance include the Francis R. and Ruth E. Oberreich Foundation, Service League, Lakeside Evening Kiwanis, Fond du Lac Noon Rotary, and Steve and Lynne Uecker. Funding for the Buttermilk Festival is also provided by local business and individual donors known collectively as the Friends of the Festival, and a free-will offering that will be received at the concert.
In the event of bad weather, the concert will be moved to the EXPO Center at the County Fairgrounds.
Next on the summer schedule, the Fond du Lac Symphonic Band will perform at Sterr Park in Lomira at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 15, and will wind up their summer season with “Fan Favorites” on Wednesday, Aug. 21 at Buttermilk Creek Park.