Bonnie as Vanna Wheel of Mis-Fortune.png

From Toria Erhardt in the 2020 newsletter: It seems very long ago, but the 2019 MIWP 4th of July parade float “Wheel of (mis)Fortune”, otherwise known as “Climate Change makes Crazy Weather”, brought home the coveted Community award! Crazy weather indeed, with the multitudes of Super Soakers bringing torrents of water down from the skies, the wild tornadoes, the terrifying thunder, the unforgiving lake levels endlessly rising. And above it all, Vanna White the orchestrator relentlessly turning that wheel. Pure theater. “Wheel of (mis)Fortune” was our first, but not last, float on the subject of climate change, and I am particularly pleased that it won the Community award. Getting the word out about a changing climate is part of embracing our greater community. Thank you, judges.

Winner of the COMMUNITY AWARD:
Madeline Island Wilderness Preserve with Wheel of Misfortune

From Annual Newsletter in preparation for parade entry:

I have wanted to do a float about climate change for the last five years, but it’s a tough one: complicated, data dense, and above all not very funny. But climate change is the granddaddy of environmental issues, and this year we are going to take the plunge, at least in a small way.

The 2019 entry makes the statement that climate change causes crazy, random weather; the float will be loosely based on Wheel of (mis)Fortune, complete with Mother Nature and Vanna White (I think).

Because I know you will want to join us for this one, costumes are easy: just wear a bathing suit and a heavy winter parka, a flip-flop on one foot and a snow boot on the other, a snorkel mask and a heavy winter hat, whatever you’ve got.

All 2- and 4-legged species are welcome as long as they are dressed appropriately. Plan to meet at the marina 30 minutes before parade time (the parade usually starts at 10:30 AM, but check with the Chamber of Commerce) under the MIWP banner.

For questions, call Toria Erhart at 715-747-2277 in early July.