Bunny Berigan Jazz Jubilee Takes Place

Because of Volunteers and Sponsors

The Bunny Berigan Jazz Jubilee, scheduled for May 18 – 20, 2012 in Fox Lake, WI, takes place because of Volunteers and Sponsors. Not unlike many festivals around the nation that take place in small communities, the Bunny Berigan Jazz Jubilee relies on the man power of the community and sponsors that are willing to help with monetary donations. The budget shows no line for administration, only items like publicity, equipment needed and attractions hired. There is no larger corporation running the three day event that brings people from all over the nation to a small town of 1,400 people, the hometown of Bunny Berigan. The event is put on to honor “Bunny” who was one of the best Trumpet players ever. “In his short life (November 2, 1908 – June 2, 1942), Berigan’s trumpet artistry made a deep and lasting impression on almost everyone who heard him play” says Mike Zirpolo in his new book titles Mr. Trumpet published in October of 2011. Persons still listen and enjoy Berigan’s music while new biographies are still written about him, and Fox Lake, WI. honors his memory with a Festival.

Volunteers make up the work force that pull off the event by manning the ticket table which greets festival comers. They decorate the hall before the event, volunteer behind the souvenir sale table, see to the comfort of guests, send out hundreds of fliers and emails, plus monitor the sales of tickets. Some volunteers even come from communities in a 10 mile radius from Fox Lake to help out at the festival. Although April 16 thru the 21 is National Volunteer Week, it takes a nation of Volunteers to create the quality of life enjoyed in our small towns.

Sponsors are also critical to the success of the Bunny Berigan Jazz Jubilee. Their donations are used for things that must be paid for besides helping to bring nationally known musicians to play at the event. This year the Sponsors of the event include Civic groups as well as Individuals. Sponsors underwrite expenses with their monetary donations and those Sponsors are The City of Fox Lake, The Town of Fox Lake, The Fox Lake Kiwanis Club, The Fox Lake American Legion, The Fox Lake Chamber of Commerce, Kwik Trip, Inc. and the Seippel Family Foundation. Individuals who have contributed to the Jubilee are “Moose” Mullin, Herschel Aaronstein and Bob Dupuis. For over 38 years Volunteers and Sponsors have stepped forward to honor the great “Bunny” Berigan in Fox Lake, Wisconsin.