The success of the event made it easy to decide to continue the celebration each Memorial Day weekend. The following year, the event was dubbed "Celebration 101". This continued for several years, each year with a new name. Eventually, we eliminated the confusion caused by a different name each year, and the event is now called simply, "Celebrate De Pere".

Over the years, Celebrate De Pere has become one of the premiere festivals in all of Wisconsin. Our festivities include live entertainment on several stages all weekend. We have featured some major national entertainers on the main stage, including such names as Cheap Trick, Train, Survivor, Lover Boy, Eddie Money, Three Dog Night, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Rick Springfield, the BoDeans, April Wine and Blue Oyster Cult.

We've got games and shows for the kids, many food and beverage tents run by various local charitable organizations, etc. One of the highlights of the weekend is the largest Memorial Day fireworks show in the state of Wisconsin, held on Sunday night. If you're looking for a great location to see the fireworks from, try the Brown County Fairgrounds on the west side of the river.

The other highlight of the weekend is the Memorial Day parade. Bring the kids to this one, and be sure they bring a bag for candy! It's a great parade with variety of entries. Marching bands from the the two city high schools are always a big hit. When the folks from our home town Seroogy's Chocolates pass by, the candies that they give out to the crowd are a must have! And of course it's always great to see the various veterans groups, which of course bring the entire crowd to its feet, with a generous round of applause and appreciation.

Have a great time at our Memorial Day weekend festival! Bring your families and enjoy Voyageur Park. And be sure to come back to De Pere often.