Onaway Chamber plans Ride for Life

Candy Faith, the treasurer of the Onaway Chamber of Commerce, is pleased to say that the chamber is ?growing and doing bigger and better things.?

Last weekend, the Chamber of Commerce sponsored the annual duck race, which had to improvise due to bad weather and water conditions. This Memorial Day weekend, the Chamber of Commerce and Presque Isle Electric and Gas (PIE & G) is planning the ?Ride for Life? bike rally.

Motorcycle enthusiasts from across the area can join the ride on Saturday, May 27, for $25. Registration will begin at PIE & G in Onaway at 9 a.m. There will be a breakfast bar provided by PIE & G, along with numerous raffles and prizes for participants.

The ?Ride for Life? will begin at PIE & G, and continue for about 100 miles through the Atlanta, Hillman, Hawks, and Ocqueoc areas. The riders will end the evening with dinner at the Stoney Creek Restaurant and Lounge in Onaway. There will be awards for several categories, such as the ?prettiest bike? and ?who traveled the farthest to participate.?

As for the annual duck race, Faith said that even though they could not release the ducks into the river, the event was still a success.

?Much to our dismay, we couldn?t float the ducks because the water was way too high, and the current was too fast,? said Faith. ?We did have a cookout and drew the winners of the race out of a tumbler.?

This year, the Super Duck winners were: First place: Onaway Community Federal Credit Union. Second place: Joe Breed and BKC Insurance. Third place: LeCureux Masonry. Fourth place: Woodwinds Restaurant.

<p> In the Regular Duck race, the first place winner was Dean Estep, while Cheryl Smolinski won second place, and Jean Havel took third place.

?It was a beautiful day to have the race, but the rain put a damper on it,? said Faith. ?A good time was still had by all who came out to participate.?

All proceeds and donations from the duck race will be used toward the fireworks display for this year?s Fourth of July celebration. ?We want to thank everyone who participated and purchased a duck to help support the Fourth of July fireworks,? said Faith. ?The fireworks are going to be an awesome display!?

Faith said this year?s parade theme is the 1950?s. She also reminded Onaway residents that nominations for the Fourth of July parade Grand Marshal are being accepted. To nominate someone, call the Chamber of Commerce at (989) 733-2874.