Family Fun Day proves to be a success in RC

by Amanda Polaski– Staff Writer

The Rogers City Chamber of Commerce was not quite sure what to expect when it planned Family Fun Day in Rogers City, but what they got was nothing short of complete success ? from the giant Titanic slide, to the terrific fireworks display at dusk on Friday ? it is an event that is sure to come back again next year. ?It really was excellent,? said Becky Hanson, the secretary-treasurer of the RC Chamber. ?After the first 15 minutes, and we saw how many kids had come down to line up for the slide, we knew (the day) was going to work.? A giant balloon slide in the shape of the sinking Titanic brought hours and hours of fun to many area children (and adults). The slide was provided by Air Time Amusements from Alpena.

?We are definitely going to have more slides next year rather than just the one,? said Hanson. ?You have to reserve those about a year ahead of time, so we are already talking to (Air Time Amusements).? Children received free beach balls and bubbles just for showing up at Lakeside Park on Friday. Hanson said the chamber ordered 24 cases of beach balls and 24 cases of bubbles, and ran out of both by the end of the day. The Rogers City Optimist Club also sold out ? but they had nothing to do with beach balls or bubbles. ?The Optimist Fish Boil sold out of dinners,? said Hanson

. ?We also had the RC Fire Department down there with their aerial ladder truck, and O-N Minerals had some of their large equipment out in front of the gates of Calcite for people to view.?

Perhaps the highlight of Family Fun Day was the dynamic fireworks display, sponsored mainly by O-N Minerals. ?The fireworks were just great,? said Hanson. ?Once they started, they didn?t stop. It was ?boom-boom-boom? right up to the end. I don?t know how they did it, but they did.? Hanson said the Chamber of Commerce members truly enjoyed bringing Family Fun Day to Rogers City, and several changes are in store for next year.

?We have decided that we will always have it about a week after the Fourth of July,? said Hanson. ?Next year, we are going to plan more kids? games. The RC Queen?s Court has already volunteered their time for painting faces next year, and we might look for a dunk tank. We are hoping we can keep the event free for next year as well. For the first one, (Family Fun Day) was quite the success.?