Onaway Fourth of July celebration sees tremendous crowds

by Angie Asam, Staff Writer

?Lots of adjectives like fabulous, awesome and terrific,? said Bev Brougham, Onaway Area Chamber of Commerce executive director, when asked to describe the Fourth of July celebration in Onaway.

Taking first place in the grand parade float contest was Stepping Stones Garden Club for the second straight year. Community of Christ Church of Onaway earned second place and Larry?s Git?er Klean Car Wash took third place. Moran Iron Works again took the best commercial float title for the sculpture of Abe Lincoln. According to Brougham the Moran sculpture is always a source of excitement.

Brougham said there were more than 50 entries in the grand parade and it was one of the largest parades the chamber has had. This year food vendors could be found on nearly every corner along the main streets. ?Many people commented how nice it was to have food vendors so close to where they were watching the parade,? said Brougham.

Also new this year was a parad

e float done by residents of Lynn Street Manor, celebrating its 25th anniversary. Brougham said it was really nice as some of the participants mentioned they had been watching parades for many years but had never been in one.

The Petoskey Steel Drum band was very well received with more than 200 people gathering at the free concert held in front of Brewbakers following the parade. Brougham said people have been buzzing about town about how ?absolutely wonderful the fireworks were this year,? she said. Schmidt Amusements offered the flat rate wristbands, which were popular with those who enjoy carnivals.

The kiddie parade was larger than usual and the Onaway High School Alumni tent was well-attended as people gathered to reminisce about school days spent in Onaway. Overall the events of the ?Greatest Fourth in the North? celebration were very well attended and well received and the chamber will begin planning for next year?s event soon.