FIRST BANK FINANCIAL CENTER SPONSORS FAMILY FUN ENTERTAINMENT

(Mequon-Thiensville) April 8th, 2014 - Family Fun Before the Fourth Executive Director Anne Bolles announced today the annual pre-4th of July family festival has a major new sponsor. First Bank Financial Center (FBFC) will be Family Fun’s 2014 Entertainment Sponsor. The community bank is making a $5,000 commitment to the event to help defray the cost of entertainment for the day-long festival. Event highlights include a parade, food, entertainment and fireworks, scheduled for Saturday, June 28th this year.

“We pride ourselves on providing outstanding entertainment at Family Fun Before the Fourth,” said Bolles, “and we couldn’t be happier to have First Bank Financial Center helping us secure a great line-up this year.”

“As a small community bank we put a lot of emphasis on the communities we serve,” said Jeff McCarthy, Vice President and Marketing Director for the bank, which operates 11 branches in Southeast Wisconsin, including the Mequon branch.

It’s not just a financial contribution, according to McCarthy. The bank will also have employees providing hands-on assistance, participating in the parade, helping staff the beer tent and introducing evening entertainment.

McCarthy says volunteerism plays a significant role at FBFC, with 100 percent of the management staff and 85% of the bank’s employee base contributing time to a variety of community organizations including Family Fun Before the Fourth, Mequon Nature Preserve, Mequon-Thiensville Chamber of Commerce and Logemann Community Center.

“The bank’s sponsorship makes possible the return of Christopher’s Project, a crowd favorite” said Bolles. The high-energy band will provide the main evening entertainment at Family Fun, with a mix of jazz, R&B, pop and soul. Other highlights include the spectacular Badgerland Water Ski Show (12:30 PM) toe-tapping Sawdust Symphony (3:30 PM), mobile rock climbing wall and more, yet to be announced.

McCarthy said the bank’s decision to become the entertainment sponsor was a joint initiative spearheaded by Assistant Vice President and Mequon Branch Manager Grace Uselding. “In talking to Grace she singled out Family Fun as the event she and her team really wanted to be a part of. It’s great visibility for us but also well attended and something we should be part of.”

First Bank Financial Center was founded 155 years ago in Oconomowoc, where it maintains its corporate headquarters. The bank is Wisconsin’s largest SBA lender and employs 230 people, including 20 in Ozaukee County.

"Family Fun is truly a festival for everyone," said Bolles. "Our families camp out all morning awaiting the parade, follow it to the park and spend the rest of the day and evening having a blast!"

If you would like to be a sponsor and help defray the costs of this event or for more information as it becomes available, visit the Family Fun website: www.familyfunbeforethefourth.com and bring the family to a day of fun on June 28th!

Family Fun Before the Fourth is sponsored by Community Fun Events, Inc., a non-profit community organization comprised of volunteers. The celebration provides a full day of activities and entertainment for all ages, including a parade, food service by area restaurants, musical entertainment and a spectacular fireworks finale in Thiensville Village Park.

For more information contact:

Anne Bolles, Executive Director 262-613-3320 bollesteam@yahoo.com

Dennis Dean, Public Relations 262-238-8740 dennis@deangroup.com