Chamber president says Fourth celebration was ?spectacular?

It was a grand Fourth of July celebration in the city of Onaway. The carnival, parade, car show, dedication of the Onaway Courthouse, and of course fireworks, made for a spectacular Independence Day celebration in the Sturgeon Capitol.

“I think it went awesome,” said Onaway Area Chamber of Commerce president Lee Ann Neelis. “A lot of work definitely paid off.”

The weather cooperated all weekend, even when it was time for the grand parade.

When the rain continued to fall, it was as if Mother Nature turned off the faucets, just in time for the annual parade, which was greeted by thousands of Onaway area residents, as well as visitors to the area.

With the pavement still wet, Sheriff Terry Flewelling and Onaway Police Chief James Gibson headed up the floats and entries, followed by area veterans and flag waving members of the local ladies auxiliary.

DECKED IN red and white T-shirts the Cardinal band assembled enough midsummer members and entertained the crowds, which were four and five deep along the parade route.

Grand marshals Newton and Patricia Chapman, who were sitting in chairs in the back of a pickup truck under a large umbrella, waved to people and flashed smiles to all.

The parade featured fire trucks, motorcycles, tractors, and motorbikes. There were ladies in red hats, clowns, Ben Franklin and Betsy Ross, and many floats decorated to match the theme of celebrating the United States.

The Garden Club, which had a float representing the state of New Jersey, earned first place honors. Brewbaker’s Furniture took a second for their Arizona float, while DARE, with the miniature Mount Rushmore, was third.

THIS YEAR’S creation from Moran Iron Works, with two abstract bodies gliding around the Earth, was the first commissioned piece for the company and will be on display at Cheboygan Memorial Hospital. It won a ribbon as the best commercial entry.

Reigning over the parade and showing off her best queen wave was Miss Onaway Debra Osantowski. Flanked by two members of her court, Osantowski was her typi

cally enthusiastic self.

Children collecting candy, while having to pick some sweets out of puddles, didn’t go away empty handed, as the people on floats were extremely generous, even near the end of the route.

At the conclusion of the parade the Forest/Waverly and Onaway fire departments had their annual water fight in front of city hall, which was dominated by the OFD, to reclaim the traveling trophy owned by Forest /Waverly the last couple of years.

There were no problems with the fireworks and the town was abuzz all day for one of the best Fourth of July celebrations in years.

Neelis said the carnival would return bigger and better next year, along with music in the park, and maybe new events as well.

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