What’s the big reason for the Electric City Experience?
Music would be an obvious answer, but the bigger reason runs deeper. It’s about community.
“The name of it, Electric City Experience, really explains it,” said Kaukauna Mayor Tony Penterman. “It’s an experience. This is for families. It’s for friends. It’s a chance to gather and have fun. It’s a great experience for people to have in our downtown.”
Electric City Experience has finally arrived, and will draw thousands to Downtown Kaukauna for food, fun, carnival rides and more than 50 of the best performers our region has to offer. Festivities run through Saturday night. It has become a favorite music festival in the Fox Cities, providing the first chance of the year to fill up on a wide variety of acts and genres from rock and country to reggae and jazz.
It has become a point of pride for Kaukauna and an excellent way to showcase their downtown to the many arriving from neighboring communities.
Yet at its heart, Electric City is a festival put on by Kaukauna and for Kaukauna.
The festival’s many sponsors make it happen. It’s a great weekend made possible by businesses small and large throughout Kaukauna who decided to pitch in for an event that strengthens bonds and deepens community spirit.
Kaukauna Dentist Chris Berkers said it’s important for friends and neighbors to gather and share. It’s also important for the city to shine a light on itself. The festival provides an opportunity for Kaukauna to show its identity and amenities to the rest of the Fox Valley.
Berkers Family Dentistry is the title sponsor for the 2022 event.
“It brings the community together, but it also adds to the community,” Berkers said. “It’s nice to see people come into Kaukauna, walk around our beautiful downtown and see what we have to offer.”
Korey Krueger, owner of The School Baseball and Softball Academy in Kaukauna, will enjoy the festival as both a sponsor and performer. His R&B/hip hop group, Ill Genesi, performs on Thursday night and again on Saturday night. He wanted to contribute in recognizing how special the festival has become to Kaukauna residents.
The event works so well because it’s a tight-knit community. Kaukauna’s residents, business owners and community boosters don’t take the positive strides they’ve made for granted.
If you support Kaukauna, Kaukauna supports you back, Krueger said.
“If you give a little, they’ll give you a lot so I’m not surprised this has taken off like it has,” Krueger said. “It’s the way that community is. It’s pretty amazing.”
Upwards of 15,000 people will make it into Downtown Kaukauna before the festival comes to a close, Penterman said.
“It’s great exposure for our downtown,” Penterman said. “It’s in a great location and we’re very lucky. I’m elated to see this come back year after year.”
Electric City Experience couldn’t happen without its generous sponsors. If you appreciate the festival, make a point to do business with the organizations that stepped forward:
Gold Sponsors:
Berkers Family Dentistry
Midwest Carriers
Abel Insurance
Bernatello’s Foods
Mad City Windows & Baths
St. Paul Elder Services
Kaukauna Utilities
Electric City Lanes
StoneRidge Piggly Wiggly
Eagle Graphics
Stone Arch Brew Pub
Nicolet Bank
Silver Sponsors:
Valley Management – McDonald’s of Kaukauna
Bassett Mechanical
iDesign
Appleton Rock School
Fireside Realty
313 Dodge
The School: Baseball and Softball Academy
Bronze Sponsors:
Square Oaks Home Improvement
LCF Homes
General Beer Northeast/Miller Lite
Leaf Me Alone
Sara Lee
Jasper Guitars
Supporting Sponsors:
Trident Automation
KleenMark
Ghost Town Fitness
SIMS Aesthetics
Uptown Beauty & Boutiqu
Van Ert Electric
Meridian Surveying
Dawes Crane
Pagoni’s Pizza
Bob’s Inn
Look Back In Time
Rootz On 2nd
Sticky Fingers Cafe & Catering
Vande Hey Financial
John Forcey Insurance Agency – American Family Insurance
Carstens Ace Hardware
Clear Approach Optometry
Shear Envy Hair & Nail Salon
Kaukauna Family Dentistry
Weinert Roofing
Mau Realty
John Huss Custom Homes
