West Bend, WI – It was nearly a sellout crowd Tuesday night as West Bend COLUMNS hosted John McGivern at the West Bend High School theatre. The well-known host of John McGivern’s Main Streets was in rare form as he grabbed the audience by the hand and led them through an emotional rollercoaster, blending humor with heartfelt stories about his mom and then back to wild memories about growing up in a duplex on the east side of Milwaukee.
McGivern was relatable. One of six kids in an Irish Catholic family who all attended St. Peter and Paul Church. It was where they were baptized, celebrated first holy communion and confirmation.
McGivern rolled out a slide show… just to prove it and what followed was the best trip down memory lane.
The laughs came easy as his stories were corny and oh so true for everyone who was a child of the 50’s and 60’s.
“When we were kids, anything oversized, we ran up and had to get our picture taken next to it,” he said. The next slide showed two kids standing next to a giant cow statue.
“Stop the car… everyone out,” yelled McGivern, in his best dad voice. What followed were at least two kids posing with a giant pig, a giant egg, and then a photo of a jolly grandma McGivern.
“She just spent the afternoon at Connie’s Cut-n’-Curl,” said McGivern teasing about his grandmother’s salt-and-pepper coif. “She paid for that hair,” he said… his voice cracking with how ridiculous and fun the scenario… A treasured memory captured in a color slide.
McGivern poked fun and celebrated his childhood with an observational eye and wry wit. He won everyone over with images of Halloween’s past. There were cowboys, ghosts, and even Colonel Sanders. “It wasn’t funny then and it’s not funny now,” he chided.
One of the more priceless slides was a youngster dressed as a cowboy lighting his grandma’s cigarette.
McGivern made for a magical night and helped raise money for COLUMNS Scholarship Foundation.
West Bend Columns Scholarship Foundation is bringing John McGivern to town for a show at the high school on September 9, 2025. Â Tickets are on sale for An Evening with John McGivern. Details below.
McGivern will take the stage to share his delightful anecdotes and unique perspective on life. Grab your tickets now for a night you won’t forget. Proceeds from the evening are used for scholarships benefitting graduates of West Bend East and West Bend West High Schools.
