Brian Dilley
Brookfield Summer Fest is a success thanks to the tireless work of members of Brookfield United Methodist Church, who volunteer their time to arrange activities, buy supplies and prizes, attend organizational meetings, set up and tear down.
It doesn’t hurt, however, that those volunteers can pull in members of the local business community to help with activities.
Brian Dilley of Valley View Antiques, Brookfield, will be back for the third or fourth year to appraise antiques from 1 to 3 p.m. Aug. 10, the first day of the two-day Summer Fest, which is held on the green in Brookfield Center. There will be a charge of $5 for up to three items.
Dilley, whose appearance is presented by the Brookfield Historical Society, said he looks forward to meeting the public in a different setting.
“A lot of history has crossed that table,” he said.
Summer Fest volunteers, from left, Diane Bullick, Elaine Obermiyer and Esther Medved stuff goody bags that will be handed out to active military personnel and veterans at Brookfield Summer Fest. The event, set for Aug. 10 and 11, will honor those who have served in the military.
Past interactions that stand out include a woman who brought her grandfather’s Civil War weapons, photographs, documents and other artifacts, and a 94-year-old man who presented the toys he played with as a child.
“Most of the time, the stories people tell are better than the items they bring in,” he said.
Dilley said his appearance is about doing something for the community, not trying to increase business at his store. He noted that, when he is appraising, he does not buy anything.
Aside from his time appraising, Dilley said he loves to eat at Summer Fest.
“I like it,” he said of the event. “If you don’t support your community, who will?”
Dori Lumpp, owner of Kellie’s Place, the pet supply store in Brookfield, will be back for the third year sponsoring the pet parade, which will be held at 1 p.m. Aug. 11.
“I like the animals,” she said of why she continues. “A lot of them are my customers. It’s a fun thing.”
Every year, she tries to do something different, she said, such as changing up the prizes and items she hands out in goody bags. This year, she has partnered with Fromm Family Pet Food to stuff the goody bags with pet food coupons and treats.
“I think it’s good for the community,” she said of Summer Fest, adding that she loves catching up with people she hasn’t seen for a while.
Jim Logan of Logan and Co., Brookfield, which screen prints clothing and promotional items, uses Summer Fest as a way to move merchandise. With his store located across Route 7 from the Brookfield Center green, he holds a tent sale in his parking lot, and he plans to sell Brookfield Warrior and Badger Brave apparel at marked-down prices
Logan has been a constant at Summer Fest throughout its years, and his involvement goes back to the event that was the predecessor to Summer Fest, Brookfield Heritage Days. When he sponsored a race car, he would have it parked by his shop for visitors to see, and he printed the collector plates that were sold at Heritage Days.
“I’m glad the Methodist church has taken it over,” he said, adding that he loves the food and the visiting.
“Every year, someone that I haven’t seen for years and years stops by,” he said. “We end up talking for an hour. It’s nice to run into people you don’t see very often. I think it’s a great community event. It brings a lot of people out.”
