Let the Party Begin

“Moose” Mullin, owner of the Mullin’s Drive-In in Fox Lake, Wisconsin, and long time sponsor of the Bunny Berigan Jazz Jubilee, is again supporting a FREE concert at the root-beer stand on Friday, May 16^th, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM. This concert begins the Bunny Berigan Jazz Jubilee weekend and draws crowds from all over the area plus those who have come for the whole weekend of Dixieland Jazz and Big Band music in Fox Lake. The Bunny Berigan Memorial Band provides the music, but occasionally other musicians attending the event are seen just jamming it up on the blacktop. (Speaking of a “Jam”, everyone is invited to the jam session at the American Legion Club House on Saturday night, May 17^th, beginning at 10:00 PM. Bring out the horns!)

When asked how it was that he sponsored this event each year, “Moose” answered, “I do it in memory of my Dad. My Dad played with Bunny in the Fox Lake Youth Band that was directed by Bunny’s Grandfather.” “Moose” does not have a fine hall to have this kick-off concert in, but “mother nature” provides a beautiful setting under the trees around the drive-in. In case of rain the concert does take place at the American Legion Club House on State Street in Fox Lake, just two blocks west of the drive-in.

Also at this concert the Wisconsin Antique Phonograph Society will have a live demonstration set up. This great Society promotes the preservation of vintage phonographs and recordings. Joan and Robin Rolfs, members of the Wisconsin Antique Phonograph Society, authors of three books relating to the phonograph hobby and editors of the “Badger Talking Machine” newsletter which reaches over fifty collectors of phonographs and recordings in the Midwest area, will have the live display set up by 3:00 PM. People coming will be able to hear the original sound of the great Bunny Berigan who recorded with the famous Paul Whiteman Orchestra, The Dorsey Brothers, Benny Goodman, Glen Miller, Rudy Valle and vocal stars such as Louis Armstrong, the Boswell Sisters, Bing Crosby, Ethel Waters and Mae West just to name a few.

For people coming to this wonderful “first event” it is suggested that they drop off their chairs and proceed to park in the parking lot at the Fox Lake Community Center, two blocks east of the drive-in. Parking is at a minimum when one is talking about 200 people attending a concert, and since there will be the original music beginning at 3:00 PM it is suggested that one get there early. Of course it hardly needs mentioning, but Mullin’s Drive-In is known throughout Wisconsin for it’s curb-side service with friendly car-hops and delicious “Moose” burgers.