Thousands pack into Posen Festival weekend
By Peter Jakey, Managing Editor
In a word, busy would be a perfect way of describing Posen during the two-plus days of the 58th Annual Potato Festival. Blessed with summer-like weather most of the weekend and a canopy of clouds during the parade, thousands of people kick up their polka-loving heels, watched motocross bikes put on aerial shows, found unique things to buy and enjoyed some of the best food around.
According to Posen Chamber of Commerce president Randy Idalski, ?there were good crowds everywhere. Everybody had a great time. It was fun.? He said there were a lot of people to contend with, but everybody behaved. ?We had a couple of minor incidents and that was it,? said Idalski. The numbers at the pavilions were up, or pretty close to it, he said. ?There were lots of people at the bump and run,? said Idalski. ?I heard a couple of people say they wished the bump and run was still on Saturday, but the motocross runs so long.?
There were 100 bikes for the inaugural event, which literally bumped the bump and run to Sunday. ?The comments were to bring the moto-cross back. We are committed, it cost us about $6,000 to build the track.? The bump and run race was won by Dave Schrader, who claimed $600. One of the highlights was a driver winning the second place finishers heat on three wheels and starting the feature event. He didn?t last long. There were 58 cars, which is up from last year. Amanda Paad won the powder puff race and took home $80.
TERRY SCHMIDT of Schmidt Amusements was pleased with his turnout on the midway. ?We get about the same amount every year in the carnival area. He was down a little Friday, but the football game lasted longer. He said Saturday and Sunday were very good.? The campgrounds were full and Route 65, which takes overflow campers, only had two spots left at the start of the weekend, said Idalski. The Knights of Columbus (K of C) reported impressive numbers at 700 for their Saturday brunch, which may be close to their best ever. The food stands in the pavilions also were solid.
The Presque Isle County Council on Aging (PICCA) had an exceptional day with 769 meals served, including a charter bus from Southfield. ?We were busy from the moment we opened at 1 p.m.,? said PICCA director Barb Nagi. Veterans of Foreign Wars P
The lengthy grand parade, led by grand marshals John and Mary Kroll, as well as queen Julia Lewandowski and her court, had 92 entries. The parade was dedicated to the late Ted Krawczak, one of the founding members of the chamber who passed away during the summer. There also was a military tribute read my Sally Goupell, mistress of ceremonies, at the start of the parade. THE PARADE winners are as follows:
? Most beautiful: Rogers City Servicemen?s Club; honorable mention, K of C Posen. ? Best musical float: ?Welcome to Posen?; honorable mention, Cheer America. ? Most humorous: dog with cart; honorable mention, Miss Alpena fair queen. ? Most original: wings over Alpena; honorable mention, Miss Rogers City and court. ? Most patriotic: Moran Iron Works; honorable mention, VFW. ? Judges? choice: Schalk Produce and Paul Farm; honorable mention, Wolverine Power. ? Best entry service organization: VFW auxiliary; honorable mention, Water Warriors. ? Most appropriate theme: Miss Posen and court. ? United We Stand (special theme): Treats for the Troops; honorable mention, Peter Pettalia. Next year?s festival is September 10, 11 and 12.