Thousands enjoy Posen Potato Festival

 

ERWIN STYMA Sr. and his wife Yvonne were the 2012 Posen Potato Festival grand marshals. Here, they wait for their special ride through town. (Photos by Peter Jakey)

by Peter Jakey

Managing Editor

Thousands of people flocked to Posen last weekend for the 61st annual Posen Potato Festival. 

The weekend started with overcast and rainy conditions, but sunny skies and a strong fall-like wind prevailed on the final day and hardly deterred anyone from enjoying the food, dancing and music during Posen’s annual salute to its Polish heritage and to its potatoes.

Highlighting the activities was Sunday’s grand festival parade with Erwin Sr. and Yvonne Styma honored as grand marshals. There are the head of Posen’s first family of potatoes, Styma Farms, and rode in a 2013 Chevrolet Camaro convertible from Rogers City Chevrolet Buick. 

Around 20,000 spectators standing 5 and 6 people deep in the center of town lined main street to watch the more than 50 colorful entries go by, including high school bands from Rogers City and Alpena.

Various political candidates also walked in the parade, among them State Sen. John Moolenar and 106th District State Representative candidates, incumbent Republic Peter Pettalia and Democrat Ken Hubbard.

There also were county candidates for clerk Carleen Paul and Ann Marie Main, as well as treasurer candidates Valerie Sue Peacock and Bridget LaLonde. 

All the candidates know the Posen parade is one the best places to receive maximum exposure during an election.

ST. CASIMIR Rosary Sodality reported an increase of 40 potato pancake meals served to 1,065 adults and 47 children on Sunday.

The Presque Isle County Council on Aging was up one person over last year to 632. “We had a steady stream of people,” said director Katie Kuznicki. “It was a good year.”

The Knights of Columbus (K of C) believe they were down for the Saturday brunch by 50 to 630. John Kroll believes the rain that moved through Saturday morning hurt, because people didn’t want to stand in line outside in the rain.

The numbers were up slightly for the Saturday dinner and Sunday breakfast at Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 7804. According to post commander Gerald Donajkowski 484 adults and 20 children were served Saturday and 343 adults and 21 children Saturday. “It was a good year,” said Donajkowski. “We are satisfied.”

The arts and craft show, run by the Posen High School trip clubs, had six more vendors than last year at 42.  

Matt Barkley of Ossineke won the 46-vehicle bump-n-run. The demolition derby winner’s name was unavailable.

THE PARADE winners are as follows:

Most beautiful: Miss Hillman and court. 

Most humorous: Northern Michigan Beach Queens; honorable mention, Posen Citizens Academic Council.

Most original: Carmeuse Lime & Stone.

Most patriotic: Posen VFW 7804 and Auxiliary; honorable mention, Cheboygan County queen.

Judges’ choice: Presque Isle County Fair princesses; Presque Isle County Fair queen Korynn Hincka and her court.

Best entry service organization: Posen K of C; honorable mention, Girl Scouts of Rogers City.

Most appropriate theme (potato or Polish heritage): Miss Posen Alexandra Werth and her court

United We Stand (special theme): Moran Iron Works’ Gerald Ford bust; honorable mention, Rogers City Servicemen’s Club.

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