Robbinsdalewhizbangdays 2014

Whiz Bang Days 2014July 10 - 13, 2014

Whiz Bang Days• Thursday, June 26, 2014 post.mnsun.com

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BY JOE BOWENSUN POST NEWSPAPERS

Robbinsdale’s 66th an-nual Whiz Bang Days festival will feature many of the same events that longtime attendees have become accustomed: the parade, fi reworks and much more.

Some new wrinkles have been added to the city’s long-standing cel-ebration, however.

Whiz Bang’s parade route, which had wound through Robbinsdale’s residential areas, will now travel through downtown Robbinsdale along West Broadway, starting at 43rd Ave. North.

“It’s a big change for us and it’s an exciting one,” said Candy Norton, President of Whiz Bang Days. “It opens a lot of access to businesses.”

The new route will re-sult in more foot traffi c for Robbinsdale busi-nesses than previous routes, and will require the use of fewer reserve police offi cers, which saves money for festival organizers.

The block party at the Hubbard Marketplace has been expanded to a second day, as well. The party now runs 6-11:30 p.m. at the Hubbard Marketplace, 4103 Hub-bard Ave. The event will

feature a performance by Pop Rocks on Friday, July 11 and Casual Con-fusion and Whole Lotta Zep on Saturday, July 12. Gates open at 6 p.m. and music begins at 7 p.m. A $7 cover fee will be charged each night.

The second day is a result of letting a lo-cal business take over the block party, Norton explained, adding that festival organizers have done it themselves in the past.

Brad Eagles, who owns and operates the Bird-town Cafe, Broadway Pizza, and the Eagles Nest Lounge in Robbin-sdale, had approached

Whiz Bang organiz-ers about operating the block party, Norton said.

Norton and Eagles said that Whiz Bang Days is a volunteer operation that relies entirely on fund raising and donations to survive.

“Adding a second day increases the chance to earn more profi t if ev-erything goes good, es-pecially the weather,” Eagles said. Most of the party’s basic features - portable toilets, fencing, stages, and so on - are paid for throughout the weekend, he explained.

“Basically, we are tak-ing all the fi nancial risk off of the Whiz Bang

Committee and we will share a portion of the profi ts with them,” he said.

“It just made sense because we’re trying to become more integrated with the Birdtown Club and some of the busi-nesses,” Norton said.

The committee is also selling $100 keg sponsor-ships to raise money for the event, as well, in an effort to increase partici-pation.

Unfortunately for some festival-goers, the annual Whiz Bang race is on hiatus for 2014 due to changes within the North Memorial Foundation’s management. Organiz-

ers hope for its return in 2015.

The festival’s atmo-sphere will remain the same, however.

“Robbinsdale busi-nesses and residents do such a great job,” Norton said. “People are walking on the streets, they attend all these various events. You get to see what the businesses have to offer, you get to see what your neighbors like to do.”

“You’re outdoors with music and friends. It’s just a wonderful way to be able to share your community,” she added.

Contact Joe Bowen at [email protected]

What’s new at this year’s Whiz Bang Days?Different parade route, longer block party among changes for 2014’s city-wide festival

post.mnsun.com Whiz Bang Days • Thursday, June 26, 2014

Thursday,

July 10

Robbinsdale Lions’ “Bistro on Broadway,” 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., at the Robbinsdale Plaza, 4151 W. Broadway. An outdoor grill to sup-port the Robbinsdale Lions Club. Attendees can purchase and enjoy grilled Hackenmueller’s Meats hot dogs, brat-wursts and burgers.

Nonna Rosa’s Ris-torante, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., 4168 W. Broad-way. Homemade Ital-ian gelato sold.

Robbinsdale Histori-cal Society, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., 4914 42nd Ave. N. Visit with Historical Society members over coffee in the historic library building by the

railroad tracks.Westphal American

Legion Post 251, 10 a.m. - midnight, 3600 France Ave. N. The le-gion will offer happy hour 4-6 p.m., pull tabs noon to 11 p.m. and live music 8 p.m. to midnight.

Senior Showcase, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Robbinsdale Police Station, 4101 Hubbard Ave. N. A classic movie will be screened 12:30-2:30 p.m. and attendees are encouraged to play bunco or cards and to check out the City of Robbinsdale Senior Programs displays. No advanced reservations are required. This event replaces the Senior Bin-go Bunco Event.

Citizens Independent Bank Plaza Party, 4-6

p.m. at Connie Bakken Park, 3700 W. Broad-way. Free Robin Sun-daes, face-painting, clowns and a perfor-mance by the Barbary Coast Dixieland Trio.

Participants can also meet the reigning 2013 Whiz Bang Days am-bassadors and the 2014 candidates.

Bike medics from the North Memorial Trauma Center will be available to answer questions, and certifi ed bike helmets and multi-purpose helmets will be available for purchase.

The plaza party will also feature a book col-lection drive and cold water for thirsty par-tiers.

The Robbinsdale Crime Prevention As-sociation will present

information on neigh-borhood representa-tion.

The event is spon-sored by Citizens Independent Bank, North Memorial In-jury Prevention Pro-gram, North Hennepin Kiwanis and the Rob-binsdale Police Depart-ment.

MLB Twins All-Star Field Dedication and Baseball Jamboree, 5 p.m. at Lee Park, 3700 Lee Avenue North. The new baseball fi eld at Lee Park will be dedi-cated with the help of celebrities from Ma-jor League Baseball, a Twins Legend Player, and local dignitaries. Food and a Baseball Jamboree will follow the dedication, wherein local teams will have a

chance to play on the new fi eld.

4th Annual Whiz Bang Youth Baseball, 5-8 p.m., Scanlon Field at Lakeview Terrace Park, 3769 Crystal Lake Blvd.

Robbin Gallery Whiz Bang Show, 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the Robbin Gal-lery, 4915 42nd Ave. N. View a special juried art exhibition by the Hennepin Artists of Robbin Gallery in the Historic Library Build-ing near the railroad tracks.

Bocce Ball Kick-off Party, 6-9 p.m. at Nonna Rosa’s Ris-torante Italiano, 4168 W. Broadway. A kickoff celebration for Whiz Bang Days and Non-na Rosa’s Bocce Ball Tournament. Tourna-

ment participant are invited to pick up their registration packets. The party is open to all ages, but attend-ees must be over 21 to drink.

A Taste for Learn-ing Wine Tasting, 7:30-9:30 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Activities Build-ing, 4087 W. Broadway. More than 150 beer and wine varieties will be available to sample with bread and cheese. Admission is $22 per person. The event is for adults 21 and old-er and is sponsored by Robbinsdale Wine and Spirits and Sacred Heart Catholic School.

Adult Baseball, 8:30-10:30 p.m., Scanlon Field at Lakeview Ter-race Park, 3769 Crystal Lake Blvd.

2014 Whiz Bang Days events

The 2013 Youth Fishing Derby at Whiz Bang Days (Sun Post fi le photo)


Friday, July 11

Go Health Chiroprac-tic, 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m., 4101 W. Broadway. A “Wellness Open House” with beverages, snacks, free chair massages, free digital foot scans, dis-counted coupons, acu-puncture needling and free consultations on all services.

Whiz Bang Days Craft Sale, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Robbinsdale City Hall, 4100 Lakev-iew Ave. N. Various craft items created by members of the Rob-binsdale Friendly Rob-ins, Senior Club, the Monday Bunch, and other volunteers are

available for purchase. Items include quilts, afghans, hand towels, cards, and more. Info: robbinsdalemn.com

Robbinsdale Lions’ “Bistro on Broadway” 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Robbinsdale Plaza, 4151 W. Broadway. An outdoor grill to sup-port the Robbinsdale Lions Club. Attendees can purchase and enjoy grilled Hackenmueller’s Meats hot dogs, brat-wursts, and burgers.

Nonna Rosa’s Ris-torante, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 4168 W. Broad-way. Homemade Italian gelato sold.

Westphal American Legion Post 251, 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., 3600

France Ave. N. The le-gion will offer pull tabs noon to midnight, ta-cos, nachos, pulled pork sliders and ice cream sandwiches 5-8 p.m., a meat raffl e 6-8 p.m. and karaoke 8 p.m. to mid-night.

Robbinsdale Histori-cal Society, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 4914 42nd Ave. N. Visit with Historical Society members over coffee in the historic library building by the railroad tracks.

Robbin Gallery Whiz Bang Show, noon to 8 p.m. at the Robbin Gal-lery, 4915 42nd Ave. N. A reception is 6 p.m. View a special juried art exhibition by the Hen-nepin Artists of Robbin

Gallery in the Historic Library Building near the railroad tracks.

Diggers’ Club Flower and Plant Show, 1-4:30 p.m., Robbinsdale City Hall, 4100 Lakeview Ave. N. A unique fl ower and plant show cre-ated by members of the Robbinsdale Diggers Garden Club. General public entries are wel-come 8-10:30 a.m. Info: robbinsdalediggers.com

4th Annual Whiz Bang Youth Baseball, 5-8 p.m., Scanlon Field at Lakeview Terrace Park, 3769 Crystal Lake Blvd.

4th Annual American Legion Baseball Game, 5 p.m., Scanlon Field at Lakeview Terrace Park, 3769 Crystal Lake Blvd.

Italian Sausage Fest, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Nonna Rosa’s Ristorante Ital-iano, 4168 W. Broad-way. A meat raffl e, cash bar, and homemade Italian sausage sand-wiches sold for $1 per inch. All are welcome but attendees must be older than 21 to drink. The event is presented by Nonna Rosa’s and Lavender Magazine.

Robbinsdale Jazzer-cise, 5:50 p.m. at the Robbinsdale Commu-nity Gym door 18, 3730 Toledo Ave. N. A high-energy aerobic and strength training class. All sizes and ages are welcome.

Whiz Bang Days Block Party, 6-11 p.m.

at the Hubbard Mar-ketplace, 4103 Hub-bard Ave. The event will feature a perfor-mance by Pop Rocks on Friday, July 11, and Casual Confusion and Whole Lotta Zep on Saturday, July 12. Gates open at 6 p.m. and music begins at 7 p.m. A $7 cover fee will be charged nightly.

Glo Nite at the Lodge, 8 p.m. to mid-night, The Lodge of Robbinsdale, 4080 W. Broadway. Black lights and more. Must be 21 or older.

Adult Baseball, 8:30-10:30 p.m., Scanlon Field at Lakeview Ter-race Park, 3769 Crystal Lake Blvd.


Saturday, July 12

4th Annual Whiz Bang Youth Baseball Tourna-ment, 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Scanlon Field at Lakev-iew Terrace Park, 3769 Crystal Lake Blvd.

Robbinsdale Jazzercise, 9-10 a.m. at the Robbin-sdale Community Gym door 18, 3730 Toledo Ave. N. A high-energy aero-bic and strength training class. All sizes and ages are welcome.

Diggers’ Club Flower and Plant Show, 9-11:30 a.m., Robbinsdale City Hall, 4100 Lakeview Ave. N. A unique fl ower and plant show created

by members of the Rob-binsdale Diggers Garden Club. Info: robbinsdale-diggers.com.

Pickleball, 10 a.m. to noon, Robbinsdale Community Gym Door 18, 3730 Toledo Ave. N. Great, fun sport for all ages and ability levels. Equipment is supplied.

Robbinsdale Lions’ “Bistro on Broadway” 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Robbinsdale Plaza, 4151 W. Broadway. An out-door grill to support the Robbinsdale Lions Club. Attendees can purchase and enjoy grilled Hacken-mueller’s Meats hot dogs, bratwursts, and burgers.

Car Show, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Lakeview Terrace

Park, 3769 Crystal Lake Blvd. Prizes and trophies will be awarded. A $5 donation is suggested to support Whiz Bang Days and its accompany-ing fi reworks. Info: [email protected] or 612-875-5895.

Nonna Rosa’s Ristoran-te, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 4168 W. Broadway. Homemade Italian gelato sold.

Robbinsdale Historical Society, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 4914 42nd Ave. N. Visit with Historical Society members over coffee in the historic library build-ing by the railroad tracks.

Robbin Art Gallery, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 4915 42nd Ave. N. The gallery will host “Art on the Lawn,”

which features art dem-onstrations, music, and author Peter James Ward Richie.

Nonna Rosa’s 4th An-nual Bocce Ball Tourna-ment, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Nonna Rosa’s Ris-torante Italiano, 4168 W. Broadway. Sixteen teams of 4 players each will be competing for top places and bragging rights. Pro-motional prizes, cash, and gift cards to Nonna Rosa’s will be awarded to winning teams. Tourna-ment participants must be 21 or older to play, but spectators can be of any age. The entry fee is $75 per team. Info: 763-537-3700 or nonnarosaswine-bar.com.

Youth Fishing Derby, 10-11 a.m. at Lakeview Terrace Park boat launch, 3769 Crystal Lake Blvd. Fishing contest for youth ages 4-12. Registration begins 9:45 a.m. Contest will run until approxi-mately 10:45 a.m. All entrants must be accom-panied by an adult. Par-ticipants must provide their own fi shing gear and bait. Winners will re-ceive small fi shing-related prizes.

Wuollet Bakery Cake-walk, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 4139 W. Broadway. A drawing for free cake!

All-Star Baseball Games, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Chuck Violette Field at Lakeview Ter-

race Park, 3769 Crystal Lake Blvd. Robbinsdale Little League teams will compete in special all-star games. B Minor games will take place at 11 a.m. and A Minor games at 1 p.m.

Westphal American Le-gion Post 251, 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. the next day, 3600 France Ave. N. The legion will offer pull tabs noon to midnight, a doubles cribbage tournament at 1 p.m., meat raffl e 2-4 p.m., tacos, nachos, pulled pork sliders and ice cream sandwiches 3-8 p.m. and bingo for cash 6-9 p.m.

Bingo Sponsored by Aliveness Project, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Lodge of Robbinsdale, 4080 W.

SATURDAY EVENTS CONTINUED ON PAGE 8


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Broadway. A variety of bingo games will be offered along with refreshment sales. All are welcome to attend. Entry is free.

Family Fun Center, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Sanborn Park, 4236 Drew Ave. N. Infl atable rides for ages 3-12. $10 at the gate. Fee for a family of four is $30. Supervising adults pay no admission.

Three Rivers Park Dis-trict Sampler, 2-5 p.m. at Lakeview Terrace Park, 3769 Crystal Lake Blvd. Three Rivers Park Dis-trict staff will be on hand to share information and activities including arti-facts from the past, live reptiles and amphibians, and a photo scavenger hunt.

3rd Annual Whiz Bang Talent Show, 3-5 p.m., Hol-lingsworth Park Bandshell, 4237 Shoreline Dr. Robins-dale’s most talented vie for a $150 fi rst prize! All ages are welcome. Food and drink will be sold. Entry is free.

Logrolling with Three Rivers Park District, 3-5 p.m. at Lakeview Terrace Park, 3769 Crystal Lake Blvd. Ages 6 and older. Parents must be present for participants younger than 16. $5 to participate. Maximum $15 for a family of four. Free to watch.

Whiz Bang Days Block Party, 6-11 p.m. at the Hubbard Marketplace, 4103 Hubbard Ave. The event will feature a per-formance by Pop Rocks on Friday, July 11 and Ca-

sual Confusion and Whole Lotta Zep on Saturday, July 12. Gates open at 6 p.m. and music begins at 7 p.m. A $7 cover fee will be charged each night.

Robbinsdale City Band Concert, 7 p.m. at Hol-lingsworth Park Band-shell, 4237 Shoreline Dr. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and

blankets as they listen to a performance by the Robbinsdale City Band.

Nonna Rosa’s Ristoran-te, 7 p.m., 4168 W. Broad-way. A live performance by Failure Meets Fame.

Info: 763-537-3700 or nonnarosaswinebar.com.

Adult Baseball, 8:30-10:30 p.m., Scanlon Field at Lakeview Terrace Park, 3769 Crystal Lake Blvd.

Saturday eventsFROM PAGE 5

ABOVE: A shot is measured at Nonna Rosa’s annual bocce ball tournament.RIGHT: Robbinsdale City Council member Bill Blonigan tries his hand at bocce ball. (Sun Post fi le photos)


Whiz Bang Days will celebrate it’s 66th consecutive year when it kicks off Thursday, July 10.

The festival’s name comes from the fi rst publication of Fawcett Publications: “Captain Billy’s Whiz Bang.”

Fawcett, which was founded in Robbins-dale in the early 1900s, distributed free copies of Captain Billy’s Whiz Bang to American sol-diers during World War I.

“Captain Billy” is William Fawcett, the publisher’s founder, and “Whiz Bang” rep-resents the sound mor-tar shells made after they were fi red – “whiz” – and returned to earth – “bang!”

The bawdy publica-tion included innuen-do-fi lled poetry, out-right dirty jokes and puns.

“Kind of a racy little magazine,” explained Whiz Bang President Candice Norton.

The jokes and stories were designed to re-mind soldiers of home and lighten their moods as they fought overseas. Copies were also dis-tributed amongst vet-erans who had already returned home, and the public at large could

fi nd the latest edition on Minneapolis hotel newsstands, as well.

Captain Billy’s pub-lication ran for almost 30 years. Other well-known magazines like McCall’s and Redbook stemmed from Fawcett Publications.

The Fawcett Publica-tions building stood its ground in Robbinsdale for many years, but was eventually torn down. The former location is the terrace for Nonna Rosa’s in downtown Robbinsdale.

Sixty four years ago, the city of Robbinsdale

started its city celebra-tion and was attempt-ing to come up with a new name for the fes-tival. With World War II going on at the same time and Billy Faw-cett’s publication busi-ness in Robbinsdale, it made sense to tie into the magazine and its title “Whiz Bang.”

Years later, the tra-dition is still going strong, holding up Captain Billy Fawcett’s namesake.


What’s a ‘Whiz Bang,” anyway?

ABOVE, RIGHT: The April, 1921 edition of Captain Billy’s Whiz Bang.

ABOVE: The May, 1922 edition of Captain Billy’s Whiz Bang, the publication from which Rob-binsdale’s Whiz Bang Days draws its name. (Submitted graphics)



Whiz Bang Days takes place July 10-13 but, for its junior and senior ambassadors, the festi-val presents a yearlong commitment.

“Outside of the four days of the festival, they represent Whiz Bang and Robbinsdale for 365 days,” Whiz Bang President Candy Nor-ton said. “We start right away with orientations and have events as early as June. We spread it out so it’s not taking all of their time. We meet the candidates, have a fam-ily picnic and have an etiquette session to help the ambassadors feel more comfortable.”

Each year, ambassa-dors travel around the 11 county metro area and into western Wis-consin attending various parades and community festivals. Ambassador’s also volunteer at nursing homes and Second Har-vest Food Shelf. During the year, ambassadors will attend upwards of 60 events. They are also charged with thinking of additional volunteer opportunities on their own, Norton added.

They travel across Minnesota and Western Wisconsin, Norton ex-plained, acting as good will ambassadors at Brooklyn Park’s Tater Daze, North Hudson, Wisc.’s Pepper Days, St. Paul’s Winter Carnival,

and the Aquatennial cel-ebration in Minneapolis.

“They end up mak-ing friends all over the state,” Norton said.

“It’s an excellent way to get people in the com-munity,” she said. “It’s not just parades and fl oats. It’s a great way to give back, it’s a huge op-portunity.”

The Whiz Bang Com-mittee is looks for junior ambassadors (youth 4-8) and senior ambas-sadors (youth 15-22). Each year, they look for people who live within Robbinsdale School District 281, have par-ents, grandparents or guardians living or working in Robbinsdale or someone who has volunteered with Whiz Bang for one year.

“The ambassadors represent Robbinsdale, the city, and Whiz Bang throughout the year,” Norton said.

Once a candidate ap-plies for the program, he or she will be paired with a local Robbinsdale business who has offered to sponsor a candidate.

Whoever is crowned Whiz Bang’s senior ambassador will also take on the title of Ms. Robbinsdale and go on to compete in the Aquatennial for the title of Queen of the Lakes, Norton added. Ambas-sadors learn poise, self-confi dence, and public speaking skills, she said.

Princesses will also be crowned, depending on

the number of contest entrants.

The festival’s ambas-sadors do not need to be female, however. Norton, whose daugh-ter was crowned Ms. Robbinsdale in a prior Whiz Bang Days, said organizers decided to not make the contest gender-specifi c.

She also stressed that the competition is not a beauty contest - contes-tants are competing for scholarships provided

by the Italian American Club.

While the number can vary, past senior ambas-sadors have been award-ed up to $1000-1500 education scholarships and past junior ambas-sadors have been award-ed $500. Scholarship recipients can put that money towards educa-tional materials, tuition, and more.


Whiz Bang ambassadors represent Robbinsdale year round

ABOVE: Ms. Robbinsdale, Madison Gerde, in the Whiz Bang Days annual parade. The city’s junior and senior ambassadors will travel across the state, appearing in various festivals, do-ing charity work, and more.

RIGHT: A new senior ambassador is chosen as Ms. Robbins-dale for the upcoming year. (Sun Post fi le photos)


Sunday, July 13

4th Annual Whiz Bang Youth Baseball Tournament, 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Scanlon Field at Lakeview Terrace Park, 3769 Crystal Lake Blvd.

Elim Community Worship Service, 9:30 a.m. at Elim Lutheran Church, 3978 W. Broadway.

Family Fun Center, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Sanborn Park, 4236 Drew Ave. N. Infl atable rides for ages 3-12. $10 at the gate. Fee for a family of four is $30. Supervising adults pay no admission.

Westphal American Legion Post 251, noon to 11 p.m., 3600 France Ave. N. The legion will offer pull tabs noon to midnight, tacos, nachos, hot dogs, hamburgers, and ice cream sandwiches 3-8 p.m., karaoke 3-7 p.m. and live music 7 p.m. to midnight.

Whiz Bang Days Parade, 3 p.m. The parade route travels from the intersection of 42nd Avenue North and West Broadway to 40th Avenue North before ending at Sanborn Park.

Ambassador Farewell, 7 p.m. at Hollingsworth Park, 4237 Shoreline Dr.

Coronation, 7:30 p.m. at Hollingsworth Park, 4237 Shoreline Dr. Ju-nior Ambassadors, Miss Robbinsdale, and Princesses will be crowned. The ceremony will be moved to Elim Lutheran Church, 3978 W. Broad-way, in the event of inclement weather.

Whiz Bang Days Fireworks, dusk, Hollingsworth Park, 4237 Shore-line Dr. Dozens of local businesses will offer food for hungry festival goers. (Sun Post fi le photo)


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