|
NEWS RELEASE The Highland Jaycees CONTACT INFORMATION Diane Nagel P.O. Box 521 Phone: 618.910.1981 Highland, IL 62249 Diane.Nagel@ustranscom.mil www.highlandjaycees.org May 30, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE HIGHLAND JAYCEES HOST ANNUAL SCHWEIZERFEST (HIGHLAND, Ill. 05-30-08) – The Highland Jaycees will host their annual Schweizerfest June 6-8 at the town square and are inviting the local community to experience the festival. “The Jaycees look forward each year to hosting the Schweizerfest,” stated Highland Jaycee President, Kristin Schmidt. “The event is the culmination of months of planning and hard work that leads to a very rewarding outcome.” The Schweizerfest schedule is packed with great entertainment and family fun the entire weekend. Friday night “Out of Focus” debuts in the west tent from 8 p.m. to midnight. On Saturday, the west tent features a washer tournament and a DJ from noon to 4 p.m. “Double D” will perform from 8 p.m. to midnight. The east tent features a Kids Corner with Kevin Heim from 1 to 4 p.m. and “Sable” from 8 p.m. to midnight. On Sunday, the west tent features performances by Chris Schmidt and John Pry from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. “The Well Hungarians,” Country Group of the Year - 2006 will then perform from 7 to 10:30 p.m. The east tent features cheerleading and dance performances from noon to 4 p.m. A memories of Elvis (with Buddy Holly) performance is scheduled in the east tent from 7 to 10 p.m. Schweizerfest, ADD 1 – “This year’s entertainment schedule features two new performances – Out of Focus and Sable,” stated Jennifer Jakel, Schweizerfest Entertainment Chairperson. “We are excited for their debut at Schweizerfest.” In addition to amusement rides and games for children, the event will feature food to tempt every taste. Kent England, Schweizerfest Contracts Chairperson, noted that 20 of the 30 event vendors offer food. The feature event of the Schweizerfest is the spectacular parade held Saturday and Sunday evenings. The theme for this year’s parade is “Going for the Gold” and parade participants are encouraged to creatively celebrate the 2008 summer Olympics. The event will show case approximately 50 parade participants. The parade will begin at 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. “We are honored to have the Jaycee National President, Denice O'Neil, and the Illinois Jaycee State president, Tanya Lee, participate in the parade on Saturday night,” stated Terra England, Schweizerfest Parade Co-Chairperson. According to Schmidt, the Schweizerfest is the single most important project the chapter organizes. “It is our biggest fundraiser and the success of the event determines how much we can contribute to the community financially.” The
Highland Jaycees raise approximately 75 percent of their annual income from
Schweizerfest. Of the Jaycees’ annual
income, an average of $8,000-$15,000 is donated back to the community. Recent donations include: the Highland
Area Community Foundation, HHS Scholarship, Camp New Hope, Claire Wright Sight
Fund, the Angel Fund, the Ruth Lowenstein Foundation, and many more. “To event goers, the Schweizerfest appears to be just a weekend long festival. It’s tradition,” stated Schweizerfest Committee Chairperson, James Fritz. “However, there is a purpose behind the festivities and tradition. The Jaycees host Schweizerfest to give back to the community, not just that weekend, but all year long.” The Jaycees are a community organization that was founded in St. Louis, Mo., during 1920. Currently, the Jaycees are located in all 50 states and more than 100 foreign countries. The mission of the Jaycees is to provide members with leadership training through community involvement. The Highland Jaycees chapter has over 100 members that devote their time to improving the community. ## |
