Elks’ July Fourth: The ‘hottest’ ticket in town
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – Even though temperatures on Independence Day were hotter than a firecracker, people still came out in droves to attend the July Fourth Community Celebration at Riverside Park in Presque Isle.
Hosted by the Presque Isle Elks Lodge 1954, the fifth annual event included a free picnic, car show on Riverside Drive, musical entertainment in the park gazebo, Humvee rides, boat rides on the Presque Isle Stream, and children’s games with prizes.
“It was outstanding,” said Mary Dickinson, who co-chairs the Elks’ special events committee with her husband, Dana. “It was definitely larger than last year’s event. Last year we had about 1,500 people attend; this year we estimate about 1,700 people came to the celebration.”
Lodge members and volunteers served grilled hot dogs, hamburgers, soft drinks, and ice cream to the public, all free of charge.
“We used about 370 pounds of hamburger … 1,750 hamburgers and cheeseburgers went out,” Dickinson said. “We also cooked 900 hotdogs, and gave out over 1,000 bags of chips, 1,488 cans of soda, 504 bottles of water, 14 gallons of ice cream and 10 large watermelons were cut into slices and served. I don’t think anyone walked away hungry.
“The Elks pretty much bought all the food,” she said. “It’s a great event that we’re happy to host. People remember from the year before, so they kind of look forward to that knowing that there really isn’t anything else going on in the Presque Isle area. It’s a chance for small families and elders to get out, listen to some music and have some good food. It’s like having a family barbecue but on a much larger scale.”
In addition, 250 children’s prizes were awarded for different games and four bicycles were given away including one donated by Coca-Cola Bottling Co.
Alan Harding, who provided the boat rides, made numerous trips up the stream with his speedboat.
“He told me he lost track at about 20-25 trips up and down the river,” said Dickinson. “He made at least 30 trips and each time he had 8-10 people per trip. He did some running that day, but people always enjoy it.”
Dickinson wishes to thank the 55 volunteers who endured the sweltering heat to put on the community celebration.
“Around 30 of them were actual members of the lodge and the others were volunteers,” she said. “We had three boys around age 11-12 who helped pick up garbage which was a big help. We really appreciate everyone’s assistance in making this such a great, family event.
“Even though the weather was hot and we were all pretty drained and sunburnt at the end of it, everyone had a good time and when we were done, we knew we did a good thing,” Dickinson said. “We made an impact in the community.”
Staff photos/Scott Mitchell Johnson
FOR THE FIFTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR, the Presque Isle Elks Lodge 1954 hosted the July Fourth Community Celebration. The event featured a free picnic, car show, musical entertainment, Humvee rides, boat rides, and children’s games. Officials estimate that 1,700 people attended the event; the largest crowd since its inception.
MAKENNA WALSH, 10 months old, of Presque Isle, was so happy to be at the Elks’ community celebration that she was clapping while swinging at Riverside Park.
JACOB PANGBURN, 5, of Presque Isle, was a happy camper climbing on the playground equipment at Riverside Park. Pangburn and his family were among the 1,700 people who attended the annual July Fourth Community Celebration hosted by the Presque Isle Elks Lodge 1954.
EVAN PANGBURN, 3, of Presque Isle, had a great time playing in the sandbox at Riverside Park during the Presque Isle Elks Lodge 1954’s recent July Fourth Community Celebration.
GIDDYUP – Fifteen-month-old Faith Richards of Castle Hill enjoyed riding on the playground equipment at Riverside Park during the July Fourth Community Celebration hosted by the Presque Isle Elks Lodge 1954.
TAKING AN ICE CREAM BREAK are volunteers, sitting: Brandon Mancos. Back row, from left: Devin Smart and Dakota Philbrook.
THE FIFTH ANNUAL July Fourth Community Celebration, hosted by the Presque Isle Elks Lodge 1954, was held at Riverside Park in Presque Isle. The event included a free picnic, car show on Riverside Drive, musical entertainment in the park gazebo, Humvee rides, boat rides on the Presque Isle Stream, and children’s games with prizes. Here, Lodge members, from left: Mike Allen, Mona Reiersen and Marion Donahue grill hamburgers and hotdogs for the 1,700 community members who attended the event.
WITH ALAN HARDING at the helm, young and old alike rode up and down the Presque Isle Stream in Harding’s speedboat during the July Fourth Community Celebration hosted by the Presque Isle Elks Lodge 1954.
