BIRCHWOOD — Crowds gathered in Birchwood for the 61st-annual Bluegill Festival July 19-21. As every Bluegill Festival has had for the last 61 years, there was much beer, food and fun activities to take part in.
The beginning of Bluegill Festival started out with their Friday fish fry, good music to listen to and the introduction of the Bluegill royalty candidates. Much of the town residents were selling custom-made souvenirs, like resident Loretta Greener, who was selling watercolor designs that were translated into pillows, coffee cups and tote cups. Also out on raffle was a full-size deer blind and welcome signs, made by the students at the Birchwood tech ed department. There were many craft fairs for the kids to partake in, a little dolly train where the kids could ride across town and a bean bag tournament where the adults could compete against each other. Over the course of the weekend, multiple sports games took place across town, which primarily consisted of softball and pickleball. For the softball games, Birchwood businesses competed against each other, this year being the first time in many years where there were enough females interested in playing. This year, the female champions were the Rizzly Grizzlies, and for the men’s team, Iron Pubs (formerly known as Cheers) was crowned.
On Saturday evening, the Bluegill queen and Little Miss Birchwood were crowned. Only a high school student attending Birchwood Schools can win the title of Bluegill queen, and only an elementary student can win the title of Little Miss Birchwood. This year, junior Alyiah Glaze won the title of Bluegill queen, succeeding the outgoing queen, senior McKenzie Livingston. She later said, “I hope that more girls participate in this event because you get a lot of experience with it, meeting other girls and building relationships with people. It’s also a good way to further their education, and you get a good scholarship out of it.”
Sophomore Shianne Bradley was crowned first princess, and for the title of Little Miss Birchwood, fourth grader Ava Musil was crowned. These young ladies worked hard to earn these titles, and they deserved it.
On Sunday, the parade was held on Main Street, with many different groups showing up to promote their business and the Bluegill Festival. Groups that were involved in the parade included Grand Marshals Dale and Vicki Busick, the former Bluegill queens of past years, Birchwood Little League, S&K Systems, Exeland Trout Queen, the Spooner Rodeo, the Birchwood Dance Team, Brill Harvest, Washburn County Republicans, Ri-Shells Resort, Trinity Church, the Birchwood Educational Foundation, Under Aire Heating and Air Conditioning, Scott Harbridge, Birchwood Historical Society, Snowmobile Club, Birchwood Chamber of Commerce, Countryside Towing, the Bakery and Coffee House, the Birchwood Lions Club, the Fire Department and a Packers float. After the parade, the local fire departments in the area held a water fight.
Many of the spectators enjoyed the three days that Bluegill Festival was held.
Chuck Soper, a longtime resident in the area, “I’ve watched every Bluegill Festival since 1963; it feels so good, and I get to meet a lot of people. It’s truly one of the greatest days here in Birchwood.”
One high school student said that Bluegill Festival “was a change in pace from middle school; it’s a lot rougher now that I have more summer work to do.”
EMT and firefighter Naomi Labahn, who was part of the parade and the water fights commented, “This year being my first year being on the department, being with an amazing crew, is one of the best things to happen to me after high school.”
This year was a good year for Bluegill Festival. The Birchwood Lions Club hosted the event and had it over the three days. All the volunteers helped make this possible. If you are interested in attending it next year, Bluegill Festival is held on the third week of July and lasts three days. Everyone appeared to have a good time there, and it’s exciting to see what next year has in store for Birchwood.
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