Give’r Hell in ‘21

by Betty Roberge

Wow…January already. It’s really time to kick in and get this fundraiser/rally off the ground. I hope everyone has done their part in soliciting sponsors because this fundraiser is the biggest statewide fundraiser of the year and it takes all of us to make it work. If you’ve been listening to Steve Panten lately, you know that we are in for some big challenges in the future and it takes a little cash to keep the Legislative ball rolling, so to speak.

Our December committee meeting found us rolling up our sleeves to begin nailing down some of the loose ends any large event consists of. First and foremost is entertainment: For you early birds, Wednesday night will have a jam session held by some local bands that will play for tips. This worked well at the non-Hummer weekend that was held in the summer of 2020 – the COVID year that is now history (let’s hope). The Line-up for Thursday is the Back Alley Kings; Friday is Bobby Evans then Double Threat; and Saturday night is Eager Beaver followed by the Richrath Project 3:13 an (REO Speedwagon tribute band widely known throughout the Midwest region). Check out the Richrath Project 3:13 website where they are already advertising the Summer Hummer.

It was decided to have a Summer Hummer T-shirt Design contest. Entries will be accepted until 2/15/2021. If you are artistic – or not – send your design ideas to RobertGrasse59@gmail.com or to news@abatewis.org.

The Hummer is offering the “Taste of Summer at the Hummer” for this first time this year. This is a Wine – Beer – Cheese – Meat tasting that will take place on Saturday afternoon under the big tent near the bar area. For an additional fee those wanting to attend will have a few hours of free “sampling” of various Wisconsin area craft beers, wines, cheeses, and meats and will take home a souvenir tasting glass. The Mad Dog & Merrill crew will be hosting a meet and greet during the tasting, so be sure to stop by. This is a great way to try some of the best Wisconsin products that our state has to offer. You won’t want to miss it. People that are coming in for the day will pay their Day Pass entry fee and an additional $25 fee to get into the tent. When the tasting is over everyone is invited to stay and listen to the Saturday night entertainment. Camping is available and we encourage those that have tasted, to drink responsibly and not drive home, but stay over.

All of our usual biker activities, vendor booths and food trucks will be on-site for your enjoyment along with a few new surprises/ideas. You won’t want to miss it.

Advanced tickets will be available soon and Damon is working hard to have on-line ticket sales up and running as an alternative to mailing your advanced ticket requests to the office. Look for that information soon on our Summer Hummer page on the website. Speaking of tickets, we are going to offer local establishments the opportunity to purchase a package of 5 or 10 Day Pass Hummer Admission Tickets at a discounted rate as an incentive for those establishments to sell and generate some fresh blood (attendees) at the Hummer. Those businesses will sell the Day Passes at face value and can pocket the difference as added income for themselves.

Ticket prices this year are: Day Passes Friday and Saturday – $25
Weekend Member Advanced – $35
Weekend Member at Gate – $40
Weekend Non-Member Advanced – $70
Weekend Non-Member at Gate – $75

A $10 discount will be given to new members attending the Hummer for the first time. Those coupons will be sent with membership information from the State Office at the time they join starting in January. Those joining at the gate will be given the discount at that time.

The committee will post various Summer area leads in the February newsletter to contact for volunteering. Please consider volunteering for a 4-hour shift to help ease the burden. New this year – a limited amount of volunteers that work (2) 4-hour shifts (a total of 8 hours) will qualify for a refund in the amount of a Member Advanced Ticket or $35. This is on a first-come, first served basis, so volunteer soon. Remember you must volunteer and work a full 8 hours to qualify, and you must present your volunteer work vouchers at the time of re-imbursement to get paid.

As always….Promote – Promote – Promote. We have a year to make up for so let’s Give’r Hell.