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DE PERE, W.I. (February 17, 2012) – The 22nd annual three-day Celebrate De Pere festival kicks off on Saturday, May 26, 2012 at Voyageur Park on the Fox River. One of the premier outdoor festivals held in Wisconsin, Celebrate De Pere will feature live music, family activities and a spectacular fireworks display. Crowd favorites like the Redneck Regatta, Car Show and Fishing Tournament will also be held again this year. This volunteer-run event is hosted by The Celebrate Committee Inc., whose mission is to help raise money for a number of local non-profit groups.

Dennis DeYoung, a founding member of Styx, and his band will headline the festival on Saturday night at 9:00 p.m. For over four decades, DeYoung has been a singer, songwriter, keyboardist and record producer. He wrote and sang several well-known classics including: Lady, Come Sail Away, Best of Times, Mr. Roboto, Show Me the Way, Desert Moon, Don’t Let It End, and the 1979 People’s Choice Award winner, Babe. His singing talents have made his voice one of the most recognizable in the world. In addition to his work with Styx, DeYoung has recorded seven solo albums.

Sunday evening will culminate with a 9:45 p.m. performance by the Grammy award winning band Diamond Rio after the fireworks display. With over 10 million albums sold and nine number one hits under their belt, this powerhouse country group features lead vocalist Marty Roe, lead guitarist Jimmy Olander, drummer Brian Prout, keyboardist Dan Truman, bassist Dana Williams and Gene Johnson on mandolin. The band was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 1998 and has enjoyed one of the most successful careers in country music.

“It’s exciting to be celebrating twenty-two years of Celebrate De Pere and I am looking forward to another great event this spring,” said Brenda Gauger, president of The Celebrate

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Committee, Inc. “We are fortunate for the ongoing support of the community and hope to raise significant funds for a number of local non-profit groups again this year.”

Advance tickets can be purchased beginning April 2. All tickets are $5. Vendor and sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, visit www.celebratedepere.com.

About the Celebrate Committee Inc.

The Celebrate Committee is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that manages and distributes the funds raised by Celebrate De Pere. Since 1990, Celebrate De Pere has helped raise over $1.6 million for these organizations: Vietnam Veterans, De Pere VFW, De Pere Beautification Committee, Cerebral Palsy Center, Kiwanis Club, Lions Club, Riah’s Rainbow, CASA of Brown County, De Pere Youth Hockey, De Pere Fire Department, De Pere Christian Outreach , De Pere Optimists, Altrusa House, De Pere High School Redbirds Girls Softball, De Pere Wrestling, West De Pere Booster Club, De Pere and West De Pere High Grad Bash/Lock-in, De Pere Police Department, Boy Scouts, De Pere Rotary Club, 432nd Family Readiness Group, Oneida Relay for Life, De Pere Historical Society, the Kress Family Library, Syble Hopp School, NEW Service Dogs, Bay Area Humane Society, and more.

Schedule attached below.
Live Music Schedule

Photos by Brenda and Bob Peryea Photography, and Mark Wells

MMM , that corn on the cob is good!
Music that appeals to ages!