Revamped Onaway Chamber begins planning for the Fourth of July

The Onaway Area Chamber of Commerce was at a crossroads earlier this year.

The three remaining board members from the chamber, Kammie Dennis, Lewis Robinson, and Laura Schack, decided to step down.

Letters went out to organizations and businesses to see if there was in an interest in keeping it going.

The answer from members of the community was a resounding “yes.”

At a reorganization meeting February 24, nine citizens of the area were elected to serve as officers and on the board of directors.

Officers include: Lee Ann Neelis, president; Becky Sellke, vice president; Candy Faith, treasurer; and Michelle Riley, secretary. The board of directors will consist of Joe Hefele, Joe Libby, Joe Brewbaker, Denise Parrott, and Doreen Schaar.

“THEY GOT a wonderful response,” said Schack. “I think they’ll do a good job. They have a lot of energy and ideas.”

Neelis agreed, saying this is “a very energetic group that is working well together.”

The current focus of the revamped chamber will be the annual Fourth of July celebration, with a list of new and old ideas being proposed for this year.

While the fireworks has always been a staple during the Independence Day celebration in Onaway, businesses want to keep people in town during the time after the parade ends and before the fireworks begin.

The chamber will begin raising money for the Fourth of July by bring back the duck race, which wasn’t conducted last year.

The cost will be $5 per duck or $60 for a super duck. They’ll race on Black River with the winners getting cash prizes. The race will be in May.

ONE OF THE ideas currently being discussed by chamber members is the possibility of having a carnival with rides during the Fourth. The chamber also is looking at hosting a craft show on the grounds of the courthouse.

The courthouse lawn had been the site of craft and flea market booths until moving to Maxon Field a numb

er of years ago.

The ideas will be discussed further during upcoming meetings, which will be conducted the second Thursday of the month at a place to be announced later.

One decision in regard to the July festival already has been made, as the theme for the parade will be “The 50 States.”

Neelis also said the city will continue handling donations for the fireworks.

To keep the chamber heading in the right direction, Michigan State University Extension Director Dave Glenn facilitated a special meeting Thursday (yesterday) to discuss bylaws and the mission statement.

The next regular meeting of the board will be two weeks from Thursday, April 14.

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