Fox Communities Announced As Mile 8 Presenting Sponsor

Willems Marketing & Events, Inc., producer for the annual Mile of Music festival, and Fox Communities Credit Union, one of the event’s original community collaborators when it launched in 2013, are pleased to announce that Fox Communities will help bring the music back by returning as the presenting sponsor for Mile of Music in 2021 – dubbed Mile 8.

After the festival’s cancellation in 2020, Mile of Music is returning to Downtown Appleton August 5-8, 2021. It will be the eighth festival.

Dave Willems, president of Willems Marketing & Events, executive producer of Mile of Music, said the continued partnership with Fox Communities Credit Union helps secure a strong Mile 8 event, especially after a year without music. The partnership also helps to continues The Mile’s continuing efforts to build Downtown Appleton’s reputation as a leading destination for live original music.

“Fox’s return as our presenting partner is an important step in continuing the vision of having a great music and community event that is truly accessible to the entire community at a time we need music and community the most,” said Willems. “Fox has been a great partner of The Mile’s purpose as a free celebration of original music, that brings a unique vibe back to our downtown community, and that plays a big part in making life more interesting for all of us who live and work here.”

Fox Communities first took on the presenting sponsor role in 2019 for Mile 7. The Mile of Music Team has had a strong relationship with the Fox Valley-based credit union since Mile 1 in 2013. Willems said Fox Communities became a key supporter in the Spring of 2013 when he approached them to help start a dedicated civic checking account for Mile of Music through Willems Marketing. Fox also provided a small initial loan to establish the account.

The popular Bike to the Beat event, presented and produced by Fox Communities, will return for Track 5 after cancelling the event in 2020 due to the pandemic. Track 5 of Bike to the Beat will be held on Saturday, August 7 and is expected to again host 2,500-plus bike riders of all ages, adding to the overall vibe of Mile Weekend. A virtual ride has also been added for those who would prefer that option.

Cathy Harvath, vice president of marketing for Fox Communities Credit Union, said the opportunity to continue Fox’s connection to such a difference-making event for the Appleton community was one the organization couldn’t pass up. “Mile of Music continues to be a shining example of how our communities within the Greater Appleton and Fox Cities community work so productively together,” she said. “We’re excited to expand our commitment to such a creative blending of the artist and business communities along with the non-profit and municipal sectors, all of whom knock it out of the park each August to make something very special happen.”