Lisbon Heritage Weekend bigger this year

Posted: June 29, 2010

Town of Lisbon — Town Park Chairman Marlene Kumitsch is optimistic that the third time might be a charm for the annual Heritage Weekend event at the Lisbon Community Park scheduled for Aug. 14 and 15.

Last year's event had about twice the number of historic re-enactors and exhibits compared to the previous year and about twice the number of people attending the event compared to 2008, according to Kumitsch.

"They say it takes about three years to really get an event like this going," Kumitsch said.

She anticipates there might be 60 to 80 historic re-enactors and exhibits. Plans also call for an increase in the number of demonstrations as well as raffle and door prizes.

The historic timeline event features historic re-enactors whose costumes, exhibits and encampments each represent a different period of time in the evolution of humankind and American history.

The event is intended to provide a weekend of historic education and entertainment as well as display the features of the 125-acre Lisbon Community Park, which has been described as "a hidden gem" in Lake Country because it is relatively unknown.

The park entrance is at Lake Five and Oakwood roads in the west-central quadrant of the town, east of the Village of Merton.

The park's northern boundaries include the Bark River and the Bug Line Recreational Trail.

The western quarter of the park is devoted to playground, picnic, athletic and park shelter activities. The central quarter of the park is a large prairie grass nature hiking trail. The eastern quarter of the park is a dense woods with walking trails that wind through the woods and near The Bug Line and Bark River.

The northern quarter of the park is where the Heritage event takes place.

The park's amenities, including nearby parking, permanent as well as portable restroom facilities, and ample camping and exhibit space, make the event attractive to the historic re-enactors, according to Kumitsch.

"The word has gotten out that we have excellent facilities, and we take good care of the re-enactors who come to our event," she said.

The re-enactors are provided rations, ice and firewood for their overnight campsites, she explained.

New re-enactors this year will include a broom maker, blacksmith, beekeeper, Native American hoop dancer, as well as Friends of Old Timers, a group of re-enactors depicting the old west in American history and a gypsy wagon encampment.

Other new attractions this year include a Civil War camp, Elizabethan nobleman and his entourage and historic timekeepers from the colonial era. There will also be an 1860 Navy cannon and a World War II Army Air Corps headquarters encampment.

Kumitsch said one of the reasons for the increased number of re-enactors is because she has been able to focus more time on recruiting for the event. In the two previous years, she has also had to focus on marketing and promoting the event.

This year, Marci Gehrke, wife of Town Chairman Matt Gehrke, has made a significant contribution because she has taken over much of the marketing and promotion duties.

A larger cadre of donors and contributions has also increased the value and number of door and raffle prizes, Kumitsch said.

This year's raffle prizes include chainsaw wood sculptures by park employee Paul Pichler, handmade log cabin bird feeders created by Kumitsch's husband, Dieter, Merton Deluxe Bird Feed from the Merton Feed Co. and a custard cake from The Merton Custard Shoppe.

Pick 'n Save and Piggy Wiggly of Sussex along with Panera Bread will contribute food and other supplies for the re-enactors' encampments. Lannon Stone Products, Payne and Dolan, Jay's Liquor in Sussex and State Farm Insurance all contribute cash or equipment for the event.