The Post-Crescent: Document Display

First Appeared in the The Post-Crescent July 20, 2005

Paperfest bathed in heat, fun
Sarah Vanderloop, For The Current

KIMBERLY -- Put fun, sun and paper together.

Mix in several sports competitions, lots of live music and thousands of people and you have Paperfest, which completed its 17th annual run Friday through Sunday at heat-drenched Sunset Park. Volunteers from more than two-dozen non-profit organizations worked the event, which board of directors members estimated drew its largest crowds ever this year, despite temperatures that sometimes reached the 90s. "Everything here is the highlight. Food, music, kids' games," said Jim Boots, who co-founded Paperfest with his cousin Dennis Smits after the Kimberly Kiwanis Club stopped having its annual picnic. "Communities need a sense of knowing their neighbors. Too often in our busy worlds people don't get that opportunity, and that's what this festival's about -- renewing acquaintances and having fun. All the money goes back to the community to make it a better area to live in," said Boots. "We put together a 15-year plan to eventually utilize the whole park," said Smits. "That's what we're doing now."

The Paperfest committee and volunteers had already started setting up Tuesday in preparation for the event. Each day there was a new goal to accomplish before the festival began. "By 5 p.m. Friday we were ready to roll," said Don Fuhrmann, one of the directors. "The event gives the people a free night out on the town. People can come down, hang out, be safe and enjoy themselves."

There were stands set up for games, children got the chance to paint pictures or graffiti on paper hung on the fence for all to see, and the food tents and rides were a few steps away. Kathy and Mark Gruender of Appleton attended Paperfest with their son and grandchildren. "I like taking the kids on rides and letting them play games," said Mark. "It's nice having a local event because you don't have to travel too far." Their granddaughter, 7-year-old Alyssa Gruender of Kimberly said she was excited about Paperfest. "I like the roller coaster," she said. Across the lawn Jonathon Tuttle, 9, of Kimberly, climbed the rock wall. He and his dad Brian come to Paperfest every year and were ready to go to the lower diamond to take on the other wall.
"It's fun but hard," said Jonathon.

In spirit of the paper theme at the festival, there were toilet paper and airplane tosses. Volunteer worker Paul Driessen was in charge of the toilet paper toss. He represents the Kimberly Boy Scouts Troop 44 and says he has been involved with Paperfest for several years. "It's just fun to meet all the people from different organizations and communities," said Driessen.
Even the workers say they have a great time at Paperfest. For Penny Hoh of Darboy, the best part is working with her three sons at the event. "That's the most fun," she said.

Rides and games were among the favorites, but there were also sporting activities, competitions, food, two stages for music, and a separate family tent filled with more surprises and shows. Saturday there were gymnastics demonstrations, a magician and juggling under the tent.

Randy Peterson sang children's songs Sunday, followed by hypnotist Mark Starr. Volunteers were taken from the crowd for each show to help sing, perform, and entertain, even while under a trance. Adena Reinemann, 12, of Kimberly is used to singing in front of the audience. At one show Peterson heard her singing in the crowd and he wanted her to come on stage, said mom Linda. He invites her every time when he sees her in the crowd, she said. "It's fun," said Adena. "It's nice to interact with kids and help them express themselves."

Hailey Peerenboom not only did the bungee trampoline Sunday, but also won a trophy for being the most entertaining person under hypnosis. Jessica Koebe and Peerenboom, both 14, of Kimberly, took the stage and wowed the crowd during their hypnotized state. "It was intense," Peerenboom said. "All I remember is the hands part at the beginning." Both agreed on two things. They didn't remember much about the process and they were enjoying themselves at Paperfest. "Paperfest is cool, but it's really hot," said Koebe. "It's fun because we get to hang out with friends and the food is good."

Among the sporting activities of softball, 3on-3 basketball, fishing competitions, volleyball and soccer, the Tour de Fest bike tour, and flag football, a 5k run and 1k run or walk for kids took place Friday. Mike Heidke of Neenah took first place in the 5k run. "I like running in the community," said Heidke. Michael Quesnell, 11, of Appleton, participated in both races. For the children's race, he took third place. "I think I did well," said Quesnell. "This is my second year running and I plan to run at Paperfest every year."

Dan Keddell of Appleton stepped off the karaoke stage after singing his specialty, Neil Diamond. "It was excellent," Keddell said about being on stage. He says he does karaoke about once every other weekend.

Some 13 music groups from about every genre performed at Paperfest. RPM and Sonic Circus headlined Friday night, when Paperfest drew an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 people. RPM sings everything from U2 to Kenny Chesney and it had the crowd chanting for more by the end of their show. "I love performing here," said band member Don Dix said. "I like being able to have fun and have the crowd see you having fun. It's a community event, free for everyone and all run on volunteers. To this day they've stayed true to that and it's pretty amazing." About 12,000 people were estimated to have attended Paperfest on Saturday when Vic Ferrari was the headline act. Attendance appeared to be lower on Sunday, although no estimate was available.

Kimberly firefighters brought a truck to Paperfest to help promote fire prevention. Kids got to come and try on the "gear" and go on the truck.

Laurie Lardinois, principal of Sunrise Elementary School in Darboy, was an official "celebrity" at the dunk tank Sunday afternoon. "I got dunked a lot, but this is the best place to be today," she said of hanging out in the steamy weather.

Many thought the best place to be was at the car show on Saturday. WVBO's car show started at 4 p.m. and cars pulled onto the lawn one after the other. Ricardo and Ruby Gomez and their 5-year-old son Ricardo of Menasha, brought their 1972 Volkswagen Beetle to its first show. "We love cars," said Ricardo Sr. At 8 p.m. everyone got to show off their vehicles some more and cruise the streets together. Randy Lynch of Shiocton also had a car in the show. "It's getting people out of the house to have fun," said Lynch. "Carnivals, festivals, it's what summer's all about."