Enjoyable festival ends on somber note

by Peter Jakey—Managing Editor

Food, dancing and summer-like weather highlighted most of the 63rd annual Posen Potato Festival.

Three days and nights of special meals, parades and activities came to a close Sunday under brilliant sunny skies in the Potato Capital, but with a somewhat somber tone.

Injured bump-n-run spectators weighed heavily on the minds of Posen Chamber of Commerce president Randy Idalski and other board members as the Maple Leaf Amusement packed up its rides and the steady stream of vehicles left town.

“Everything was going good until today,” said Idalski Sunday night “The weather was good on Saturday and Sunday. The crowds were down a little bit, which is understandable in these economic times.

“Today we had the accident in the field-event area. That’s where my thoughts are right now. Just concerned about the injured people and their families. My heart and prayers are going out to the families.”

Miss Posen 2014 Shianne Smolinski and her court. (Photo by Peter Jakey)

A large tire used as a barrier was pushed through a fence and hit some fans in the front row of some portable bleachers. A racing participant was forced up an embankment while trying to get through the first bottle-neck turn. Three fans were taken to Alpena Regional Medical Center by ambulance for treatment of injuries.

As far as anyone knows, there had never been an accident involving spectators during all the years putting on demolition derbies and bump-n-run races.

“We’ve never had anything like this happen and I don’t even know how to deal with it emotionally,” said Idalski, who has served as president for 17 years. “I’m very shook up. I was having a real good time until that happened. Now, there is a somber mood…we want to make sure everybody is okay.

“We do our best, we are all volunteers. We work very hard to make this the best festival that we can and then something like this happens. It puts everything into perspective.”

Queen Shianne Smolinski, daughter of Rich and Connie Smolinski, and parade grand marshals Bill and Kathy Zaborney reigned over the annual community.

Vietnam veterans were honored during the opening ceremony Friday, the grand parade and during the military tribute Sunday afternoon in the polka pavilion.

Ray and Pat Hentkowski also received special recognition at various events during the weekend because he spurred the installation of a new dance floor and worked with the chamber to pay the expenses.

Different organizations served their annual meals with mixed results.

Grand marshals Kathy and Bill Zaborney

The St. Casimir Rosary Society’s pancake breakfast served 1,133 meals. That is up slightly from last year’s total of 1,125.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7804 served 485 meals, including three children Saturday night. That was up by 30. Their Sunday breakfast was down by 100 at 355, including 12 children.

There were 89 parade entries including four high school bands from Rogers City, Onaway, Hillman and Alpena.

Awards were given in m

any categories. Winning the most beautiful was Carmeuse Lime & Stone, while honorable mention went to Houghton Lake Tip Up Town.

The most musical float went to the “Welcome to Posen” float. The honorable mention was Cheer America; most humorous was Rogers City Optimist Club with honorable mention going to The Polka Express; most original was Potato Bug and 1967 Dodge Polara. The Posen Citizens Academic Council won honorable mention’ most patriotic was VFW float and auxiliary; best entry by a service organization was Knights of Columbus 6657, while honorable mention was St. Casimir Rosary Society.

The parade lasted a little more than an hour.