"Bronze the Fonz" Celebration

Don't expect anything on the scale of the opening ceremony of the Olympics in Beijing, but expect a very special celebration in Milwaukee on Tuesday.

The day marks the dedication of a life-size statue of Arthur "The Fonz" Fonzarelli, a character played by Henry Winkler on Happy Days, the long-running sitcom set in Milwaukee.

From GM Today:

The dedication ceremony and daylong celebration focuses around the bronze Fonz statue to be put on Milwaukee’s Riverwalk near Rock Bottom Brewery, 740 N. Plankinton Ave. Most of Winkler’s co-stars from the show are expected to be on hand at the dedication ceremony, as well as the ensuing celebration, parade and event at Miller Park prior to the Milwaukee Brewers-Houston Astros game.

Dave Fantle, director of public relations for VISIT Milwaukee, said the media buzz over the event and statue has been loud and covered worldwide. The event itself will also bring in visitors from across the nation and even the world, including the president of the "Happy Days" fan club from Italy, he said.

...Lake Mills artist Gerald Sawyer was commissioned to design the Fonzie piece, which cost $85,000 in private donations to erect.

...Fantle pointed out the Fonz and "Happy Days" do have a strong connection to Milwaukee, that it’s not simply a fictional premise or characters from a TV show. Thomas L. Miller, co-creator and producer of "Happy Days," grew up in Milwaukee. He’s from the north shore area and patterned many of the people and locations on the show from people and locations in Milwaukee.

...Fantle said Winkler himself shares a love and connection with Milwaukee on a personal level.

"In recognizing Henry Winkler, you are also recognizing a great guy, one of the Hollywood good guys who’s been around and is very well-respected," Fantle said. "He’s written a series of best-selling children’s books, he is public with his lifelong struggle with dyslexia, he is a tireless advocate for children and is a humanitarian.

"He has said Milwaukee is like his adopted hometown for him. To recognize Henry and the iconic character of Fonzie is doubly rewarding."

The day will be filled with events to recognize the addition of the bronze Fonz statue to Milwaukee's Riverwalk.

Many of the Happy Days stars will be in the city for the occasion. Laverne and Shirley stars will also attend.

Henry Winkler will be on hand for the dedication ceremonies of a life-size bronze statue of Fonzie, the "Happy Days" character Winkler made famous. Co-stars from the show are also expected to be on hand, including Tom Bosley (Mr. Cunningham), Marion Ross (Mrs. Cunningham), Erin Moran (Joanie), Don Most (Ralph Malph) and Anson Williams (Potsie). "Happy Days" director/producer Garry Marshall and Bob Bovett will also be there, as well as Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams, stars of the "Happy Days" spin-off show "Laverne and Shirley."

In addition, Joey Sorge, who plays Fonzie in the new "Happy Days" stage musical coming to Milwaukee’s Marcus Center for the Performing Arts from Jan. 6 to Jan. 11, will attend.

More about Bronze the Fonz:

Event Specifics

Public Celebration: Autographs to Benefit Boys & Girls Club Literacy Program
From 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Culver’s Frozen Custard will be hosting a free public frozen custard social at the Peck Pavilion at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts downtown. There, Winkler and the other guests are scheduled to make an appearance. Starting at 9 a.m.,100 limited edition bronze the Fonz commemorative posters will go on sale at $50 each at the Peck Pavilion with proceeds going to SPARK (Spheres of Proud Achievement in Reading for Kids). SPARK is a program coordinated by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee in partnership with the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.

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BRONZE FONZ / ADD ONE
Joey Sorge, the new “Fonzie” and the star of the new “Happy Days” stage musical will also perform a few numbers from the show. All fans attending the party will also receive a free bronze the Fonz baseball card compliments of the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts.

Note: Because of time limitations, the cast will only be signing the first 100 posters. Additional posters at $20 each and bronze the Fonz t–shirts for $22 will also be available with proceeds going to SPARK.

Homecoming Parade
At 5:45 p.m. the entire cast, in vintage convertibles, will drive down Wisconsin Avenue (starting at Water Street) to Blue Mound Road and into Miller Park. The public is invited to line Wisconsin Avenue for the homecoming parade.

Play Ball!
The day–long celebration will conclude when Henry and his cast colleagues are honored at a pre–game ceremony at Miller Park prior to the Brewers–Astros game. The cast will throw out the first ball and Anson Williams, who portrayed “Potsie” on the show will sing the National Anthem. A commemorative bronze the Fonz baseball card will be given to every fan that attends the game. Media credentials for the game are required. Contact John Steinmiller, john.steinmiller@brewers.com, (414) 902–4470.

...More information on the bronze the Fonz project can be found at bronzethefonz.com.

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To help raise funds for a Boys and Girls Club of Milwaukee literacy program, a special Bronze the Fonz t–shirt is available for $22.
Order one today!

That's great that the proceeds from sales of the posters and the t-shirts will benefit such a good cause.

And the weather should be perfect.

Here's an interview with the artist and just a peek at the Bronze Fonz.

RADIO’S FONZ-FEST:

WOKY-AM (920) morning hosts Gregory Jon and Meg McKenzie broadcast live from faux 1950s Miss Katie’s Diner from 6 to 10 a.m. Tuesday to mark the day’s dedication of the bronze statue of TV’s Fonzie.

In the current definition of oldies, however, ’50s tunes like “Rock Around the Clock” and other songs from the 1970s sitcom are too old to be on ’OKY’s normal playlist.

As already reported, CBS’ “Early Show” weather guy Dave Price will broadcast from Miss Katie’s.

It should be a fun day, a happy day.