In January of 1981 The Forde family moved to Sommer Valley Circle. The closest “town” was Token Creek! Everyone was excited to be out in the country moving from Milwaukee WI…..As the summer approached I corralled the few neighbors that we had in our neighborhood and organized a Fourth of July party and parade. There were only 9 kids in the parade with very decorated bikes and floats….we had a cake decorating contest with judges and a fabulous barbque, picnic, games and swimming. The next year we expanded our activities and had grand parents joining us! After two years of fun and getting to feel like a part of the community I realized that in our little celebration almost everyone was in the parade and there were no spectators……Hence, moving the whole ideas to Token Creek since it was a part of DeForest but too far removed to be part of the Town of DeForest festivities…..so the ideas grew and the friends on Summer valley Circle: Barb Hennings, Mary Naggetz and Kidy and Tim Lothe joined forces and created the “Token Creek Fourth of July Festival”. Back in the 80’s we were restricted to neighborhood competition as we had no monetary backing…we even charged people money to be in the first parade!

 Z104 had a fictitious ad for “Hiney Wine” made in Token creek so with the radio magnet Ralph Cohen’s help we created the Hiney Run and he advertised it on Z104. The Beauty Pageant was held at Burke Lutheran Church, the week-end before the festival, with Pastor David Magnusen as MC. There was a talent show and question and then the audience voted and royalty was crowded and organized to ride in special cars in the parade. We even had a “Token Man”!

 There were many families that had booths including “hiney buns” hot dogs, cookies, and sodas….lots of neighborhood floats that competed for a trophy. All the trophies given to the pageant contestants and the parade winners were hand made by Tim Lothe and Mary Naggatz.

 Pastor David Magnesun is the author of the Token Creek History book and enjoyed compiling stories of many of the Burk Church members all from personal experiences. Along with the history book we had an historical walk with markers to show the landmarks of the town. The year after the History book was published we created a Token Creek University and had an exam that had to be completed, sent in and checked by the committee….a diploma was award to all those participating. Before the parade we had a very moving ceremony at the historical cemetery north of HWY 19. Paying tribute to all who have served our country was important in order to celebrate the rest of the day.

 The parade grew and grew and one of our hopes and dreams was to have music…There were so many fun groups like the “lawn chair brigade” The float with a tree squirting water from the branches representing “Rain Tree” subdivision….etc. Eventually the Fordes had to move from Token Creek so they handed over the torch in 1992 and moved to Madison….and the festival continues to this day!

 I couldn’t be prouder to think a tiny parade in the Sommer Valley Circle neighborhood in 1981 was the catalyst for the fun found among neighbors and friends, to this day, in our grand town of Token Creek on the Fourth of July!