Summer Sizzler pulling local community together in effort to speed new playground equipment to Gilmanton park

by Beth Kraft

A local resident’s dream of bringing new playground equipment to Gilmanton’s Rainbow Lake Park is about to receive a big boost.

The inaugural Summer Sizzler featuring four bounce houses, a bean bag tournament, food and various kids’ games will be held at the Gilmanton Fairgrounds this Saturday, Aug. 22, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

All event proceeds will go to help give Rainbow Lake Park’s playground equipment a much-needed update.

The concept for the playground fundraiser started with Gilmanton-area native Sammie Kent. She has sold the popular “Sunday Funday” shirts prior to the Gilmanton Fair for several years and initiated the first annual Gilmanton Gallup 5K at the fair this year to raise money for new equipment at the park.

Lindsay Severson, a Thrivent Financial rep in Mondovi, says she wanted to find a way to boost Kent’s cause after hearing about it.

“That sparked the idea in my head to do a big event to hopefully raise the funds all at once to replace the playground equipment,” Severson explained.

By joining forces with her sisters-in-law, Jenny Severson and Andi Severson-Quarberg, and a number of other local organizations, Severson says she hopes to raise enough money this Saturday to obtain a small structure for the playground.

Playground equipment is quite expensive, Severson acknowledged, noting she expects it will cost about $10,000 for a starter piece of equipment that can be added on to in the future.

Raising that sum in one day is Severson’s “shooting for the stars goal,” she said, but she hopes to take in at least $5,000.

The group also hopes to obtain some grant funds to help make the new playground a reality more quickly.

While it can be difficult to get a new fundraiser off the ground, Severson is fairly confident Summer Sizzler will be a success.

“It scares me how well this has come together,” she said. “It has been a very smooth process. Everyone has been more than willing to help us.”

The Gilmanton Community Club has been “on board since the beginning,” Severson said, noting the group offered up the use of the fairgrounds, food stand area and bean bag boards for the tournament. The Community Club and Gilmanton’s taverns have also offered to provide prizes for the top three two-person teams in the bean bag tournament as well as kids’ game winners.

Members of Gilmanton’s American Legion Post will also pitch in by volunteering their time at the event, and the bounce houses will be at the fairgrounds courtesy of Space Walk of Western Wisconsin owners and Gilmanton-area residents Keith and Amy Guenther.

“We’re keeping it local,” Severson said of those contributing to Summer Sizzler.

The Southwest Wisconsin Thrivent Member Network is also a major sponsor. Severson stressed that the event “wouldn’t be possible” without Thrivent’s support.

She explained that Summer Sizzler fits perfectly with Thrivent’s mission of generosity by helping communities connect faith and finances.

A school supply donation drive that will be held as part of Saturday’s event also jives with that mission of community support. Those who donate any school supplies to the drive, which will benefit Gilmanton School District students, will receive $1 off their wristband purchase for the bounce houses.

With the new school year fast approaching, Severson said the supply drive was suggested as a way to help local families out since it can be tough for some to afford school supplies.

“It puts a lot of stress on the kids,” said Severson, noting she hopes the supply drive will relieve some of the anxiety that comes with a new school year

Pocket folders and Kleenex are in especially high demand, Severson said, as students tend to go through them quite quickly during the year.

Obtaining new playground equipment for Rainbow Lake Park plays into Severson’s overarching goal of bringing families together in the community. 

She explained she’d like to see people take advantage of the park’s facilities more often by holding regular events there, especially during the summer. Weekly reading events and movie nights in the park are a few of her ideas.

“Communities that thrive are those that spend time together,” Severson said.

Registration for the bean bag tournament will take place from 10-10:30 a.m. at a cost of $10 per person. Wristbands for the bounce houses will be on sale for $10 each or $9 with a school supply donation. Grilled brats, hot dogs, chips and beverages will be available throughout the event.

For those who are unable to attend Summer Sizzler that still wish to contribute, an account has been established at Alliance Bank.