Buttermilk Festival – Fond du Lac Symphonic Band

            The 36^th season of the Buttermilk Festival concert series has been announced by the Fond du Lac Symphonic Band. In addition to serving as the resident ensemble, the Symphonic Band hosts and produces the free, summer-long festival at the Wifler Performance Center in Buttermilk Creek Park, 801 S. Park Avenue, Fond du Lac.

            This year’s guest artist line-up will feature the return of the renowned Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra on June 18, their 24th Festival appearance since the Festival’s inception in 1989.   New to the Wifler Performance Center stage on July 30 will be Divas and Jazz, featuring six popular female vocalists from Milwaukee and the Fox Valley. Also scheduled are a concert by the Wisconsin Symphonic Winds on July  2, Fondy High and Middle School Summer Bands on July 16, and popular returning favorites: Dorf Kapelle on June 25 and Kids from Wisconsin on August 13.

The theme of the Symphonic Band’s opening concert on June 11 is “Dancing Through Life,” and on July 9, they will present music from outer space in “The Final Frontier.” The annual Family Concert on July 23 will feature various instrumental soloists in “Meet the Band.” “Hit the Waves” is the theme on August 6, and “Fan Favorites and Alumni Night” will wrap up the summer series on August 20. The Band’s local summer appearances, which are sponsored by the City of Fond du Lac, also include the July 4 Americana Concert, 7:30 p.m. at Lakeside Park preceding the fireworks on the lakefront.          

A concession stand, hosted by area non-profit groups, will be available at each concert. A limited number of lawn chairs are available at the park, but it is suggested that concert goers bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating. While all Buttermilk Festival concerts are free of charge, free-will offerings will be received to help defray costs. In the event of unsuitable weather, concerts will be moved to the Fond du Lac County Fairgrounds. 

For further information on the Festival, email fdlsymphonicband@gmail.com , contact Symphonic Public Relations Director Mary Arthur at 920-907-7678, visit the Band’s website at www.fdlsymphonicband.com, or check out the events on the Band’s Facebook page.