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Soaring into Our Twenties
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The Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a three-day “Soaring into Our Twenties” celebration Sept. 22-24, featuring a celebration of Major Bong, half-price admission to the Bong Center, bikes, Betties, bags, barks and beers.
The event kicks off with an invite-only Homecoming event for the Bong Center family, staff, museum members and volunteers Thursday night from 5 to 8 p.m.
Friday features half-price admission to the museum; a Vintage Military Weapons show will be on display from noon to 7 p.m. and the “Pint Full of History!” program Friday night social hour is from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Then programming begins with Richard Bong historians Mike O’Conner Author of “America’s Ace of Aces” and documentary film maker John Anderson “Shooting Star: the Story of Richard I. Bong,” recounting the life of America’s Ace of Aces from 6:30 to 8. A cash bar provided by Keyport Liquor will be open for the duration of the program.
Saturday the festivities, hosted by the Border Town Betties, will start with a 9:15 a.m. check in for the inaugural Maverick and Goose Top Gun Shootout bags tournament, sponsored by Schultz’s Bar! Games will start promptly at 9:30 a.m. The first 32 teams to pay will be accepted! The cost is $35 per team with 100 percent pay back prize and a four-game minimum. $800 to the winning team! For more information and to register visit bongcenter.org, call 715-392-7151 or email gidley @ bongcenter.org.
From noon to 2 p.m. will be the High Flyers Motorcycle and Kids Bicycle show with prizes for the Best Vintage, Best Custom and Best Military-themed Motorcycles for adults and the Most Patriotic pedal-powered bike for kids. To register a bike email emmaw @ bongcenter.org.
From 1 to 3 p.m. is the Puppy Dog Parade, sponsored by Smooch-a-Pooch Salon. Enter a pooch for the special dog show at the Bong Center. Treats and water will be provided. Two lucky dogs will be awarded the Maverick and Goose awards for the favorite large and small sized dogs. Winners and their humans will each receive a prize. To register email emmaw @ bongcenter.org. All entries must be submitted by Sept. 7.
The Festivities will come to an end with a launch party inside the Bong Center for Warrior Brewing Company’s Patriot IPA “Ace of Aces” Edition, the newest beer in the Warrior Brewing lineup. Warrior Brewing is a local brewery operated solely by veterans. Its latest batch will honor local warrior Richard I. Bong, the World War II fighter pilot from Poplar who shot down a record 40 enemy aircraft during his time of service and was awarded more than 25 medals including the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Pints of the Ace of Aces Patriot IPA will be on sale as well as Warrior’s full line of beers and a selection of wines and soft drinks from Keyport Liquor. Area food trucks will be on hand as well from noon to 7 p.m.
