Picture this: Friday night on the Fox River, a live band already rocking, the smell of good food drifting out from under a massive tent — and lined up along the river wall, like a floating car show for people who made excellent life choices, is one of the coolest collections of pontoon boats you'll ever see. A triple 500 R monster. An inboard big block. And enough party toons to make your neighbor's bass boat weep into its bilge pump.
Yeah. I was there.
The Oshkosh ToonFest Kickoff at Dockside Tavern is one of those events that reminds you exactly why you fell in love with the boating life — and we were on the ground Friday night to take it all in.
We rolled into Dockside and the party was already at full throttle. The Ask Your Mother Band was doing what they do — making absolutely sure nobody stands still — and lining the river wall was an absolute murderer's row of pontoons. The kind of boats that make you stop mid-bite of a bratwurst and just stare. That triple 500 R? Three engines on a pontoon. Genuinely magnificent. And that inboard big block looked like it was built by someone with something to prove.
We've all been there — you show up thinking you'll stay an hour, and four hours later you're still on the dock, deep in conversation about boats and places to go boating.
Events like ToonFest look effortless from the outside. They are not. Coordinating waterfront stops, lining up sponsors, booking bands, wrangling toons — that's a full-time job done by people who already have full-time jobs. Jeff Eiden, his family, and his crew pour everything into this event, year after year, and the community feels it every single time.
On a personal note — many of you know Jeff has been dealing with some serious health issues. If ToonFest or Jeff has ever given you a great day on the water, take a second to send a good thought and a prayer his way. We love you, Jeff. This community is behind you. ❤️
ToonFest is the Pontoon Fun Run on the Winnebago Waterways, presented by Sweetwater Performance Center and Dockside Tavern. It's part fun run, part floating block party, part pontoon beauty pageant — and it is entirely our kind of event. Friday night dock party with live music and featured toons on display. Saturday fun run with stops at waterfront establishments along the Winnebago Waterways, capped off with dinner and a live show from The Filthy Sinners. Mark your calendar for next year — you don't want to miss it.
Drop your ToonFest stories and Winnebago Waterways memories in the comments. Been before? First time hearing about it? What are you running on your toon? Tell us everything. Dave's twin 300 situation is a cautionary tale, and we want more of those.
The boating community is the best community — and events like ToonFest are exactly why. Big thanks to Jeff, his crew, and every sponsor who helps make it happen. See you on the water. 🛥️
— The Wiparty.com Crew
