There’s a party going on city-wide for this year’s annual Crazy Daze sidewalk sales celebration in downtown Merrill on Thursday, Aug. 4. This year’s theme is “Celebrate Like Crazy” in honor of the 100th birthdays of the Merrill Chamber of Commerce, Merrill City Band and T. B. Scott Library. Balloons will mark the spots for crazy sale prices, food and fun.
Select streets will be closed from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. for displays, crafts and food vendors. Businesses on the Eastside, Westside and Pine Ridge will have sidewalk sales, in-store specials and activities galore. Balloons will mark the spot for real deals on East Main Street. Come early as there will likely be a line due to shoppers lining up to purchase their raffle tickets for this year’s “celebration raffle.” This will be your last chance to purchase tickets because the drawing takes place at 5:30 p.m. at the East Main Center Stage. Tickets are $5 each, 3 for $10 or 7 for $20. First prize is a Simplicity Lawn Tractor valued at $2,400 and sponsored by Trantow’s Do-It Center or a $2,000 Chamber Gift Certificate, 2nd prize is a $500 Merrill Chamber of Commerce Gift Certificate and 3rd prize is a $250 Chamber Gift Certificate. Proceeds from the raffle will benefit the Chamber of Commerce Retail Council and the Merrill Food Pantry.
Other annual favorites will include Steve Resnick’s Mobile Entertainment spinning toe-tapping tunes from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., the Karaoke contest is back (sign-up all day) with performances at 3 p.m., and Dorinda’s Dancers will celebrate like crazy with party-worthy performances at 12 noon and 5:15 p.m.
The party continues at local businesses when you dance on over to the Westside where the Evening Lion’s Club will have their annual Chicken Barbecue at Cenotaph Park from 11:30 a.m. until sold out and just around the corner the T.B. Scott Library will host their annual book sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you’re looking for ways to cool your heels the celebration continues at the Merrill Outdoor Pool with free swimming from 12 to 9 p.m. Then kick-up your heels again because the party continues at Ballyhoos with live music by The Dukes from 8 p.m. till 12 a.m.
Celebrating like crazy works up an appetite, so be sure to stop at many of the parties along the way to recharge. Area clubs, organizations, churches and local restaurants will be serving up brats, hot dogs, hamburgers, hoagies, BBQ chicken, ribs, fruit smoothies, nachos, Optimist’s cheese curds, ice cream, root beer floats and more.
In addition to the crazy sale prices throughout Merrill there will also be temporary shops set-up with craft items and specialty vendors. Several local non-profits will also host informational booths and have sales and raffles of their own in support of their programs.
Say you don’t like driving while celebrating? Then hop on board the Merrill-Go-Round “party bus” and let the friendly drivers shuttle you around town. Enjoy riding the bus for the crazy price of $1 on Aug. 4 only.
You’re invited to “Celebrate Like Crazy” with us! The party is in Merrill for the craziest deals, food and fun. For more information contact the Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce at 715-536-9474, toll-free at 1-877-90-PARKS or visit us on the web at www.merrillchamber.org for a full celebration line-up.