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Friends group energized and working on lots of projects
In Blue River
Blue River stock

BLUE RIVER - It has been many years since there has been major fund-raising activities for improvements at the Blue River Park. Thirty and even forty years ago, there were cookbook sales, proceeds from men’s fast pitch tournaments, t-shirt sales, auctions with pies selling for $100 each, and an old suitcase for $500, along with several other activities that helped pay for ball field lighting, fencing, infield improvements, and scoreboard. 

Also, during this time, an elderly gentleman by the name of Rolly Stanswick donated money to build a food stand along with sponsoring a fast pitch team.

The ‘Friends of Blue River’ is a newly formed non-profit, charitable organization. The group’s purpose is preserving and improving the physical and cultural essence of the Village of Blue River through action, financial support, and collection of historical items and information.

One of their first projects this year is helping to support the cost of updating the lights in the ballpark, which were installed over thirty years ago. New LED lights will provide improved lighting, use less than one third of the current power, and reduce the number of light poles needed.

The Blue River Community Building is an icon that has served Blue River’s various needs for over 85 years. Another project of the Friends of Blue River is to help fund the $50,000 exterior repair project of the building, which includes tuck pointing and replacement of the cement caps.

In addition to the Friends of Blue River’s efforts to secure needed funds through grant writing and a donation campaign, their upcoming plans are to sell retro-Blue River t-shirts, host games during Autumn Fest, and host a Culver’s Share Night fundraiser in Richland Center on Wednesday, August 24, from 4-8 p.m. 

The Friends of Blue River have a Facebook page, so watch for posts on the progress of these projects, historical findings, and updates for the group. 

Donations may be mailed to: Friends of Blue River, 201 Clinton St, Blue River, WI 53518.