Many activities happening on Independence Day weekend

by Peter Jakey–Managing Editor

Independence Day means fireworks, barbecues, beaches, picnics and other Fourth of July events that make this summer holiday a favorite among Americans.

There seems to be no end to activities in Presque Isle County, including three fireworks shows over a two-day period.

The Rogers City Area Chamber of Commerce is putting on Family Fun Day. It will be noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday at Lakeside Park.

“There will be a bounce house, sidewalk chalk, kiddie games and a ton of prizes to give away,” said chamber executive director Alexa Donakowski.

There also will be a first-time event with the Ronald McDonald magic show at 1 p.m.

The City Band, under the direction of Ben Witter, will present a patriotic concert July 3 at Lakeside Park. (Photo by Richard Lamb)

Donakowski is hopeful that between 5 and 7 p.m., visitors and locals will linger downtown and shop.

At 7 p.m., the Petoskey Steel Drum Band will perform at the band shell. “They are a local favorite, and everyone I talk to is so excited that they are coming back,” said Donakowski.

The fireworks will be shot off at Carmeuse Lime & Stone property at dusk.

The chamber has printed a postcard-like schedule of events that will be available at area businesses, including the 24-hour information room at the chamber of commerce office.

Presque Isle Township has its traditional schedule of events at New Presque Isle Lighthouse Park on Saturday.

There is a parade at 10:30 a.m. where bikes, golf carts and vehicles get donned in anything and everything patriotic. Some people walk with decorated wagons and strollers. The parade route is the road around the New Presque Isle Lighthouse. Kiddie games follow.

“Lunch is served at 11 a.m. and going to 1:30 p.m.,” said township supervisor Brent Koel. “There will be hamburgers and bratwursts, potato salad and all the fixings.”

Fireworks are at dusk at the harbor.

Onaway takes center stage for what has become known as the “Best Fourth in the North.”

There will be a parade, events put on by churches and service organizations, and new this year, the Dancing Hippopotamus invades the lawn of the historic courthouse for three days.

According to city manager Joe Hefele, there could be more vendors than in previous years when it was held at the Bearinger Township Hall.

The grand parade starts at noon with the theme of “Onaway Pride.” The grand marshals will be retired sheriff’s department detective Steve Porter and retiring school resource officer Lewis Robinson

Awakon Federal Credit Union sponsors the kiddie games at 10 a.m. with the kiddie parade to follow at 11 a.m.

Moran Iron Works founder Tom Moran has another big surprise up his sleeve that will be unveiled in the grand parade.

“For us, it’s all about Onaway pride and history,” said Moran. He said there is a tremendous amount of steel involved.

“It started out as pipe and then it was formed into an oval,” said Moran. “It weighs more than 10 tons and is 30-feet in

diameter, and it is the biggest one in the world.”

He also added that it is something that everyone can identify with.

In previous years, Moran has produced larger-than-life busts of George Washington, Gerald Ford, a bald Eagle, and Lady Liberty.

The firemen will have their water fight after the parade. Onaway Methodist Church will have its ice cream social, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5857 have a barbecue chicken dinner and St. Paul Catholic Church has a giant salad bar.

The fireworks are at dusk on the Fourth at Horrocks Field. The Dancing Hippo will continue through Sunday.