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Homecoming offers fun for all ages
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Scheduled Highlights

Today

5 p.m. FFA & FFA Alumni Fish Boil - Octagon Shelter

7 p.m. Homecoming Variety Show - Monticello House

Saturday, July 14

10 a.m. Kids' tractor pull ages 3-10

11 a.m. Poker Run - Motorcycle Ride - Lucky's

11 to 3 p.m. Helicopter Rides - $35/person

Noon Tug-O-War Tournaments Begin

2 p.m. Canoe Races on Lake Montesian

3 p.m. Triathlon on Lake Montesian

6 p.m. Richard Dooley presents From Lake Staedtler to Lake Montesian, a historical perspective - Zwingli Church

9 p.m. Live auction - by Lioness food stand and beer tent

9:45 p.m. Fireworks - Lake Montesian

Sunday, July 15

11 a.m. Chicken BBQ - Octagon Shelter

2 p.m. Parade, followed by community water fights by the pool

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MONTICELLO - Monticello's Homecoming, July 12-15, celebrates the benefits of living, working and shopping-and playing- in your local community.

The theme for the event is "Monticello: Drive a little-Save a lot." And to highlight that theme, there was none better than long-time Monticello business owners Charlie and Liz Rolph to be parade marshals this year.

Area residents know Liz and Charlie from Warehouse Charlie's on Wisconsin 69, the furniture and appliance business that used the same motto for years.

A Monticello son, born and raised, Charlie, now 83, recently closed the warehouse. Liz said they try to do "as little as possible" these days.

The Rolphs are excited to be chosen as parade marshals, an honor that came as a complete surprise to them, according to Liz.

"It's something special to be in the parade," she said.

This year's event, sponsored by Monticello Community Club and Monticello Business and Professional Association (MBPA), offers some new attractions.

Quilts in the Gardens will feature quilts of various ages from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at Montesian Gardens, and the Dining Room will have Barb's Barn Quilt displayed between 1 and 4 p.m. Suzi Parron, author of Barn Quilts and the American Quilt Trail will speak and sign copies of her book starting at 1 p.m. at Quilter's Compass.

Inflatables are fast becoming the new carnival alternative around the county. Oak Ridge Ranch Amusements, Inc., Freeport, will provide inflatables and games for Monticello all weekend long - and they're not just for little children, according to Carol Strause, community club secretary.

As an added benefit, Oak Ridge Ranch's inflatables leave enough room to make the east half in the village parking lot handicapped parking, right inside the fair grounds. Strause said that is a boon for the elderly and disabled, who often forego the event because of walking distances.

The Monticello House has been remodeled and air-conditioned for the free Homecoming Variety Show at 7 p.m. Friday.

The Sunday parade and float contest starts at 2 p.m. MBPA will once again have a float, and they will be collecting food for the Green Cares Food Pantry. Donate a dollar and you will receive a ticket to be entered into a drawing for six door prizes of Monticello Money. The winning numbers will be announced immediately after the parade.

Of course, Monticello's Homecoming Celebration offers its same great family-fun activities for young and old alike: kids' games, canoe and triathlon races, mud volleyball, softball tournaments, Walk Among the Stars, dances, a beer tent, live music, plenty of food and drinks, and fireworks.

- Tere Dunlap