News : Lions to have new concession trailer for Party in the Park

Ron Tippett (left) and Dennis Lausar with the new Lions Club concession trailer.

Just days before its debut at Vinton’s Party in the Park, Lions Ron Tippett (front) and Dennis Lausar installed the final prep bench in the new Lions concession trailer. Lions Mark Wilberg, Rick Ohrt, Chuck Peterson Ted Mann and others have also spent hours customizing the trailer with support from Edwards Plumbing and Heating, T.J. Gas, Fareway Stores, Ideal Industries and others.

Vinton Lions bought their first trailer in 1995. They started serving funnel cakes and snacks that year at Party in the Park, Fly Iowa, Shellsburg Big Days, Palo Pig Out Day, Vinton Cruise, Back to School Picnic, Hanson’s Consignment Sale and a Civil War Encampment. The service club has been serving at home football games since 2000, generating substantial donations for Viking Sports Boosters with just funnel cakes and sno-cones. The group bought and converted a larger trailer in 2007, used at local events such as the Firefighter convention, Hawkeye Express Christmas train, Boomtown and Boomfest, Vinton Live at Riverside and RAGBRAI stops.

The new 2016 trailer, purchased with a bequest, is larger yet and road worthy, potentially expanding opportunities for participating in the R2Z2 Lions zone area.

All funds raised through concessions go towards meeting local needs and state, national and international Lions service projects, including vision, disaster relief and emergencies, education, public health and safety, the well-being of families and young people and community building. Vinton club treasurer Alan Woodhouse estimates the club donates over a thousand dollars to Boosters and between $3,000 and $4,000 in concession profits to local programs and Lions projects annually.