2006 Potato Festival is largest in years

The 55th annual Posen Potato Festival, thanks in part to the first-ever visit of the Budweiser Clydesdale horses, was probably the largest in years, according to Posen Chamber of Commerce president Randy Idalski. Large crowds swarmed to the spud capital of Michigan to enjoy Polka music, a bump and run, arts and crafts, a flea market, a carnival, varieties of food, family entertainment, football action, and the grand finale, a tremendous grand parade of nearly 95 entries, led by grand marshals Clem and Elaine Misiak. As is the case every year in Posen, it did not rain during the grand parade on Sunday afternoon. Cooler temperatures, however, prevailed throughout festival weekend. ?It could have been just a little warmer,? said Idalski. He did add that the conditions in the pavilions were ideal for listening to music and dancing. The autumn-like conditions did not dampen the reveler?s spirit or enthusiasm.

HIGHLIGHTING THE 2006 festival were the Clydesdale Horses, who made appearances on all three days of the festival. Led by a police escort on Friday, the horses delivered a case of beer to the M-65 Diner and Posen Pub. As the familiar Budweiser music march played from the wagon, the horses were led along Michigan Avenue. Nobody was allowed to pet the horses, but it did not stop throngs of people from gathering around the horses at each stop. Saturday the Clydesdales were brought into the vendor area near the carnival. Idalski said their appearance ended up coinciding with the end of the bump and run race. ?The timing was perfect,? said Idalski. On Sunday, all eyes and cameras were fixed on the horses, the bright red wagon, and the waving drivers, as they traveled along the parade route.

?What a beautiful bunch of people to work with,? said Idalski. ?I can?t say enough of about Jim Johnston of Huron Distributors in making it all possible.? They left for their regional stable in Indianapolis, Indiana after the weekend in Posen. Attendance at nearly all events was up, and that includes the dances, carnival, and other events. The Presque Isle County Council on Aging sold out their dinners early and the Knights of Columbus sold all of their hamburgers, said Idalski.

THE ARTS AND crafts moved to a lot downtown and the bake sale at the fire hall went extremely well. ?It was excellent, excellent,? said organizer Marilyn Kaszubowski. ?We had a great turnout of people that donated baked goods.? More than 140 people were called on the telephone and asked to bring items. Kaszubowski believes nearly everyone dropped something off to help out. The tables were filled with goodies and nearly all the items were sold out. Money was raised to purchase new life-size nativity figures. The

goal was just about reached, so locals can expect to see the new figures before Christmas. Bari MacNeill of Alpena won the bump and run feature. He won two heats and the finals to take home $740 in prize money. The only race he lost was driving the WATZ race car, which got sandwiched against the concrete wall near the course bottle neck during the first lap. The WATZ car, which was plastered with bumper stickers as part of a promotion, did not make it around one lap. Timothy Webb of Alpena won the $500 WATZ drawing, according to program director Steve Wright. Winning the mini-quad on Sunday was Lee Pichan of Posen.

THE PARADE winners are as follows: most beautiful, Miss Posen/ honorable mention, Miss Rogers City; best musical Rogers City Do It Center/ honorable mention Jack Mall Cheer America; most humorous Millersburg mud bog/ honorable Richard and Pam Schilbe Bob Cat; most original Huron Oil/ honorable mention kiddie parade winners; most patriotic Gordon Wirgau/ honorable mention Posen VFW; Judge?s choice Alpena Ice Diggers/ honorable mention Metz Construction; best entry for service organization Knights of Columbus/ honorable mention Rogers City Servicemen?s Club; Most appropriate theme ?Welcome to Posen? village of Posen/ honorable mention Olson Gymnastics; United We Stand (Special theme) Alpena Shriners/ honorable mention Red Cross. Winners received a check for $25, while honorable mention recipients received $15.