Entertainment, Aquanuts lifts Libertyfest

A light show filled the sky over Lake Mary in Twin Lakes following the Aquanut Watershow Saturday as part of the annual Libertyfest celebration (Earlene Frederick/The Report).
A light show filled the sky over Lake Mary in Twin Lakes following the Aquanut Watershow Saturday as part of the annual Libertyfest celebration (Earlene Frederick/The Report).

Ski team brings in surprise anthem performer

By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer

A jam-packed Saturday (July 2) at Twin Lakes’ Libertyfest made up for a slow opening night last weekend, according to Marilyn Trongeau, executive director of the Twin Lakes Chamber and Business Association.

Libertyfest, held three days for the first time, delivered a diverse range of music stylings that drew rave reviews.

Wayne Messmer, an accomplished National Anthem singer who has performed in Wrigley Field, serenades the crowd in the "Star Spangled Banner" before the Aquanut Watershow July 2 in Twin Lakes (Courtesy of Lisa Neal/The Report).
Wayne Messmer, an accomplished National Anthem singer who has performed in Wrigley Field, serenades the crowd in the “Star Spangled Banner” before the Aquanut Watershow July 2 in Twin Lakes (Courtesy of Lisa Neal/The Report).

“We had a lot of good entertainment,” Trongeau said. “I received a lot of compliments on all the entertainment. Kyle Young was the only returning band to Libertyfest.”

Twin Lakes native Megan Ruger, who has performed at Libertyfest in recent years, had to cancel at the last-minute due to illness.

According to Ruger’s Facebook page, she suffered a bout of poison sumac, which sidelined the former “Voice” contestant for an extended period.

Stepping in for Ruger was Random Maxx.

“We would like to thank Random Maxx – who filled in for Megan Ruger, who was a late cancellation due to a health issue,” she said.

Opening the slew of entertainment were country musicians Nora Collins and the Pat Watters Band Friday, with Young and Random Maxx taking the stage Saturday, followed by a change of pace Sunday that featured swing music.

“Sunday had Bill’s Little Big Band with people dancing to swing music,” she said. “The Affects band pulled in a 1950’s era blue Oldsmobile station wagon and took the crowd down memory lane with hours of classic 50’s and 60’s music.”

While entertainment exhibited a wide range of musical genres, Trongeau stated attendance Friday and Sunday was underwhelming, but courtesy of highly packed Saturday lineup, it lifted the spirits of those who planned the event.

“The parade on Saturday was bigger than ever,” she said. “The winning (float) entries were first place, Gehring Well Drilling, second place, the Girl Scouts and third place, the Democratic Party float.”

“While the turnout on Friday and Sunday was disappointing, Saturday was very crowded,” she added. “Lots of people enjoyed the Aquanuts and the Fireworks on Saturday.”

The Aquanuts Water Ski Show had a surprise guest to sing the Star Spangled Banner – Wayne Messmer, famous for serenading the Wrigley Field crowd before thousands of Chicago Cubs games.

Messmer, who is also a motivational speaker, has performed at other Chicago sports events including Blackhawks, Bulls and Wolves games.

“I have a year-round home very close to here and I love this group,” said Messmer, who added he was honored to be part of the National Champion ski team’s show on Saturday.

“A national champion ski show right in your own backyard and the opportunity to come out on a Fourth of July weekend and sing the National Anthem is too nice to pass up,” he added.

While Messmer pitched in for the Aquanuts, he had an opportunity to experience Libertyfest, mingling with community members Saturday.

“I try to get engaged in as many of these as possible,” he said. “It’s been fun (Saturday), it’s a festival and it is a well-thought of thing.”

Additional contest winners:
The Chamber announced the winners of both Saturday’s Twin Lakes Idol competition and the third annual Duck Races.

Twin Lakes Idol: first place, Aron Spinler; second, Connor O’Shea; third, Chuck Gramer

Duck Races: first, Charles Cox; second, Nancy Perl; third, Jim Prickett; fourth, Pat Kamins; fifth, P. Rohm; sixth, A. Johnson.


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