Millersburg?s ?hometown get together? enjoyed by all

by Peter Jakey, Managing Editor

The Millersburg Homecoming comes once every year, and it always has been a popular event during the Labor Day weekend, drawing crowds into the village for the bump and run competition, duck race and other small town, family fun activities.

This year, the homecoming parade was proudly led by lifelong resident Garnet Plume, who was honored as the 2009 grand marshal.

The Millersburg-Ocqueoc Business Association (MOBA) sponsors the annual celebration. It was a two-day event packed with activities for the entire family.

The annual run (results on page 5) and skeet shoot kicked off the activities. The parade began at noon under warm, sunny skies with ?Farm Days? as the theme. Carl Schleben won best of theme, while Louis Lung and Kim Smillie took Judges? choice.

THE BOUNCE tent and water slide were enjoyed before and after the parade by long lines of young people, who never seemed to get tired of running from the end of the slide to back in line.

The annual duck race ending at Russell Memorial Park was a crowd pleaser, especially for three lucky winners: James Hilla, $85; Jim Callahan $45; and Joe Geneke $22.

The bump and run, organized by the Case Township Fire D

epartment, was at the fairgrounds. The complete results were not made available before this week?s edition. ?It always goes really well for us,? said MOBA president Jeff Whitsitt. ?I think our actual attendance at the parade was a little disappointing. It was down from traditional years. Otherwise, the weather and everything was great. The bump and run was a little bigger and better than last year.?

He also said the Millersburg Historical Society showed off their latest interior work Saturday. ?It really looks nice. That was a real plus for us,? said Whitsitt. ?So, all in all, it went very well for us.?

Whitsitt said the celebration has never intended to compete with other events. ?It is a simple hometown get together.? He also wanted to commend Janet Pochmara, Wendy Robins, Lisa Dean, Bonnie Arlt, Amy Whitsitt and Sharon Winfield for their efforts in making the homecoming come together.