Family fun will be a major focus of the 2008 version of the Bangor Lions Fun Daze. The annual event is scheduled for this Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Bangor’s Village Park.

“The Family Olympics is something new we’re trying this year,” said Brian Berg, Fun Daze committee chairman.

“We’ve got six families signed up (entrants had to be preregistered). They’ll compete in the three kickball games Friday night and then be awarded points over the weekend for events like the potato toss and the beanbag toss,” Berg explained. “When it’s all over Sunday afternoon we’ll figure out who had the most points for the weekend and announce the winning family.”

The festival kicks off at 4 p.m. on Friday with the the first 4-H softball game. There also will be a men’s one-pitch softball tourney beginning on Saturday at the Village Park baseball diamond.

“Other than the Family Olympics, we’ll have all our regular events,” Berg said.

Those include a pancake breakfast from 7 to 10 a.m. on Saturday, a fun run/walk at 8 the same morning, bingo at the Rod and Gun Club Building Saturday and Sunday afternoons, duck races, a car show and the big parade at noon on Sunday.

“That (the parade) is always a big draw, but there’s also the canoe poker run,” Berg sid. “They put in at the Rockland landing on the La Crosse River and pick up their cards at different spots along the way, then pick up the last card at the park. It’s become very popular — we’ve had 100 or more entrants the past few years.”

In keeping with the family theme, there will be plenty of kids’ games, a petting zoo and face painting. After the Family Olympics kickball contest on Friday night the Lion of the Year winner will be announced at 9 p.m.

There’s also going to be music most of the weekend. Deadset, a rock band, plays Friday night, while Saturday afternoon will feature Brian Brueggen and the Mississippi Valley Dutchmen, a popular polka band out of Cashton.

Urban Entertainment karaoke with Lisa Urban is planned for Saturday night and Dr. Rumley’s Snuff Band will perform Sunday afternoon.

There will be plenty of food and beverages available for everyone — whether they’re listening to music or not. “The Lions Club will be doing their famous butterfly pork chops,” Berg said.

This will be the 10th year that Fun Daze has been run by the Lions Club and the event has been a good fit for the organization.

“Attendance has been good, and the Lions are big contributors to the community in general,” Berg said. “Any money raised will go back into the community. People understand that so they support us.”

AT A GLANCE

WHAT: Bangor Lions Fun Daze, featuring games, music, food and beverages

WHEN: August 8-10

WHERE: Village Park in Bangor

ADMISSION: $1 button