Grateful Business Folk Set Up Fest for First Responders

Wauwatosa is becoming quite the city of festivals, with Tosafest, Hartfest, Scottish Fest, Chili'n on the Avenue, the Tosa Tonight concerts and more.

Another fest, Tosa's Night Out, is a bash that typically draws 5,000, and it's thrown by the Police Department and Wauwatosa Neighborhood Watch Committee (mark your calendar for Aug. 6).

The folks at the Village of Wauwatosa Business Improvement District have decided it's high time we had one more festival: First Responders Fest, thrown by an appreciative community for its police officers and firefighters.

So, next Wednesday, July 17, from 6 to 9 p.m., Hart Park's popular Rotary Performance Pavilion becomes home to what organizers hope will become an annual celebration of those on the lookout for us 24/7.

First Responders Fest will be a night of free music and family-friendly fun, with food and drink offered by Tosa restaurants. 

Each Tosa first responder who attends will get a free T-shirt, a complimentary beer, glass of wine, a sandwich and... get ready for it... a doughnut.

All others pay cash for concessions, but the event is free and open to the public, with donations being accepted for the charities of the Wauwatosa Police and Fire Departments' choices.

Food and drink providers are Leff's Lucky Town, Ruby Tap and Cranky Al's, home of the hand-cranked doughnut.

Music will be performed by Fat Bottom Special and Rocky Mountain Beaver Pond, including Mick Pavlovich, Waukesha County deputy sheriff and former Wauwatosa police dispatcher.

There will be a bounce house and face-painting for the youngsters.

The Village BID asks that first responders who plan to come please RSVP online for planning purposes.

And Wauwatosa Patch promises to publish any reader-submitted photo of a Wauwatosa police officer actually eating a doughnut (especially if it's Chad Geizsler or Paul Leist).