Grab Your Old Ladies and Hang on to Your Babies – The Hummer’s Back in Town

by Betty Roberge

There’s no time to waste now….get your gear packed and your bikes fueled up. It’s time for the Summer Hummer. Remember that the Hummer is the weekend AFTER Father’s Day this year so, if you show up of Father’s Day weekend, you’ll have the place to yourself. The change in date is to encourage more people to attend – no excuse now because of Father’s Day and you’re a Dad. Like Steve Panten is always harping….we need you to SHOW UP.

The Hummer is one of the best fundraisers ABATE holds each year because it’s 3 days of slam dunk fun. Hope we see you there bright eyed and bushy tailed.

You know we have music, right? Just wanted to mention that Sammy Ray just received a first place win at the WAMI (Wisconsin Area Music Industry) awards. She took first place for her #1 country song, “Country Boy”…and guess what? Sammy Ray is playing on Thursday at the Summer Hummer. When we tell you we have talent, we mean it.

Hope you ordered your Hummer shirts by May 23^rd because if you didn’t, you missed the deadline and the design is awesome – created by one of our very own members Lizzie Dressler from Region 8A.

The line-up for the event looks great. Everything from great food and vendors to the best campsite contest. Has your region come up with a theme yet? And it’s no secret this year! Pauline’s Adventure Ride on Friday will return to Jurustic Park near Marshfield. You can’t make the 10 am ride on Friday? No problem. There will be instructions and an address available for you to take the ride yourself throughout the weekend. This place was an absolute hit 2 years ago….you won’t want to miss it.

There will be a bike wash, loud pipes contest, and of course our world-famous Beer Bobbing. Who wouldn’t want to give that a try? Saturday will host a bring your own everything motorcycle parts swap meet, a bike show, bike blessing and ride to the High Ground, the Taste of Summer ad the Hummer, Pin-up girl photo shoot, tattoo contest and hmm, hmm a wet t-shirt contest, not to mention a lot of shenanigans amongst the troops, so to speak.

Mikey Mueller has taken over state products and will be getting his feet wet setting up shop at the Hummer this year. It’s a learning experience and he tells us that he plans on having a few new items available for our members to buy. Mike is not new to products. He has been selling and promoting our product line for nearly 20 years now so we look forward to seeing what he will be able to do for our members in the future. Be sure to work a shift or two with Mikey. See his information below to sign up.

THERE’S STILL TIME to please contact the people below and set up a time slot to volunteer in the areas that interest you. Remember, “It takes a village…”

Volunteer by contacting the following people:

Bar Area Leads: Brad Shakal (715) 306-0105 or Jay Goecks (715) 315-0070

Bike Show Lead: Gary Krueger (920) 994-4638

First Aid Lead: Chrissy Cartwright (608) 354-9265

Gate Lead: Bill Roberge (608) 769-5337

Grounds Lead: Robert “Worm” Grasse (920) 912-1789

Products Lead: Mike Mueller (414) 305-5118

Security Lead: Danny Stoddard (920) 217-3639

Swap Meet Lead: Gary Krueger (920) 994-4638

Taste of Summer Lead: Dawn Stoddard (920) 639-5037

Treasury Lead: Laurie Thompson (414) 940-5883

Vendor Leads: Lauri Shakal (715) 306-0048 Betsy Jennings (715) 533-8085 or

Kay Johnson (715) 512-0062

Don’t forget to bring along your Pavilion buckets that you purchased at last year’s Hummer. 2024 is the last year the “6 Beers for the Cost of 5” promotion will be valid. There are a few buckets left to be sold and will be available at the chip table. Get your while you can.

Any suggestions to make our Hummer bigger and better? Contact Worm or Betty at the email addresses below.

Let’s rock and roll into 2024!

Summer Hummer June 20—23, 2024

Send your suggestions to: 

Worm at Robert.grasse59@gmail.com or to Betty at news30letter@outlook.com