MNA 2023 FOREST FEST

By K en Gra BowsK i For the News AdvocAte

A local tradition returns June 29-July 4 when the 2023 Manistee National Forest Festival will draw tens of thousands of people to the area.

For the last several years, the festival was limited in nature as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. But now that all the pandemic restrictions have been lifted, the Forest Festival is ready to bring back the splendor and fun of the past.

Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Stacie Bytwork said in an email that the festival is something that brings friends and family members back to the area.

“This signature festival draws thousands of people along with many returning with ties to the area and region,” said Bytwork in an email. “It embodies the idea of community that so many love about Manistee County.”

Bytwork went on to say that the Forest Festival is a great way to showcase all the area has to offer.

“Manistee County is a hidden gem,” she said.

“Our vibrant downtown, beautiful beaches and rich history make the Manistee National Forest Festival a one-in-a-million. As the festival’s name suggests, Manistee County is home to over 87,288 acres of national forests, outfitted with trails

and breathtaking moments just waiting to be captured.”

Due to the fact Independence Day falls on a Tuesday, some of the festival events will held at different days and times this year. One difference people should note is the fireworks display over Lake Michigan will take place on July 2 at dusk. The fireworks have traditionally been held on July 4, but festival officials opted to move them up to Sunday this year. The “backup date,” in the event of rain, is July 5.

“We are beyond grateful to our presenting sponsor Little River Casino Resort, an enterprise of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, for bringing the fireworks over Lake Michigan this year,” said Bytwork.

Another feature to the fireworks is radio station Eagle 101.5 FM will countdown to the start of the event and then sync music to the show.

The Independence Day Parade will remain on July 4, starting at 10 a.m. It will run from Division Street down River Street to the Armory Youth Project parking lot on First Street.

Another long-standing Forest Festival event returning in 2023 is the Manistee World of Arts and Crafts set for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 1 and 2 at Red Szymarek Park on Fifth Avenue. This show has been taking place for more than four decades and features

A flag-raising ceremony took place on July 4, 2022 ahead of the Independence Day parade on River Street as part of the Manistee National Forest Festival.(File photo)

juried artists from all over the United States.

Some festival events will be held during all six days of the festival, like the Marketplace from 9 a.m. to dusk at First Street Beach Douglas Park. More than 30 vendors are expected to be on hand this year.

The Anderson Midway Carnival will run the same days from noon until dusk across the street in the big parking lot at First Street Beach Douglas Park. This

family fun event offers rides, games, food and fun of all kinds.

The 75th anniversary of the Lake Bluff Farms giant sequoia is another event that will run the entirety of the festival, at 2890 Lakeshore Road. It will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and offer the public the opportunity to talk to the Lake Bluff volunteers and view the largest giant sequoia east of the Rocky Mountains. Festival-goers can learn more about the forests surrounding Manistee from

noon-3 p.m. on June 29 at the U.S. Forest Service Open House, located at 1170 Nursery Road in Wellston. This is a chance to tour the historic Chittenden Nursery and view the projects the forest service is working on at this time.

On July 1 starting at 8 a.m. at the Manistee Middle/High School, located at 525 12th St. in Manistee, walkers and runners will get the chance to take part in the Manistee Firecracker 5K Run/Walk and 1K Fun run. Proceeds benefit the Manistee Area

Community track. The Friends of the Manistee County Library Summer Book Sale is slated for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 1. Thousands of used books for people of all ages along with DVDs, CDs and puzzles will be on sale to benefit the Manistee County Library.

The Tabernacle will be hosting its annual free Family Day from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. in the parking lot at the Armory Youth Project. There will be games, prizes, cotton candy, a hot dog lunch, snow cones, a bounce house and more, all free of cost.

From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the corner of Hastings Street and Fifth Avenue, the United Methodist Church Women’s

Ministeries will be hosting the Rosie Solberg Annual Fourth of July Bake Sale to benefit local missions.

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on July 1 at the Happy Owl Book Store the popular children’s book character Pete the Cat will be meeting his fans and posing for pictures.

On the Fourth of July, starting at 9:45 a.m., there will be a flag raising ceremony at the corner of Division and River Streets followed by the grand parade. The festival will close out with a country music band concert from 2-4 p.m. at the Manistee Veterans of Foreign Wars Walsh Post No. 4499 featuring musicians from the 338th Army Band.

People browse books during a Friends of the Library book sale at the Manistee County Library during the 2022 Manistee National Forest Festival. (File photo)

The Anderson Midway Carnival at First Street Beach was a popular spot during the 2022 Manistee National Forest Festival. (File photo)

Parade, concert to highlight July 4 events

By K en Gra BowsK i

For the News AdvocAte

Manistee residents annually come together during the first week of July to actually celebrate two events in one.

The Manistee National Forest Festival draws tens of thousands of people to this area to enjoy several days of family fun with activities for all ages.

Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce president and chief executive officer Stacie Bytwork said that portion of the celebration is important to this area.

“This signature festival draws thousands of people along with many returning with ties to the area and region and embodies the idea of community that so many love about Manistee County,” said Bytwork.

However, it also is a time to celebrate Independence Day. The flag raising ceremony will be take place at 9:45 a.m. on July 4 at the flag pole on the corner of River and Division Streets. Local veterans have been holding this annual ceremony just prior to the grand parade for years.

One thing you will find on July 4 at that time is the streets leading off Division Street are packed with a variety of parade entries ready to pass through the thousands of people lining River Street and running all the way to the parking lot at the Armory Youth Project on First Street.

The sound of festive high school bands will fill the air with plenty of patriotic music, but they will have lots of company as well. A crowd pleaser every year is the Scottville Clown Band, which always dazzles the crowd with its antics.

People will also get the chance to hear something new in terms of music this year. The 338th Army Band will be marching in the parade.

The band is coming this year in part due to a connection between Manistee Area Public Schools’ band director Amanda Mack and her former student, Sgt. Derek Storey.

The 338th band musicians are all fully enlisted reservists in the United States Army who went through combat training and were all trained to be deployed in whatever capacity they are needed, according to band member Storey. The group is based out of Livonia and Whitehall, Ohio. Members perform in parades and concerts at various locations around the country during the summer months.

“We essentially do this part time and the general default being we get together once a month and for one to two weeks in the summer we

get together for missions like coming to Manistee,” said Storey. “For Manistee specifically we are sending the full group, which is right around 45 personnel who will all be in full uniform.”

Patriotic spirit can be found everywhere at the parade, such as the Spirit of the Woods Garden Club’s entry. Members march in the parade forming a “living flag” that has become a crowd favorite over the past decade.

“Our garden club members will be dressed as the living flag and then we have a couple of gentleman dressed as Uncle Sam,” said garden club member Beth Markowski.

Forest Festival parades are also about colorful floats created by many organizations and groups throughout the county.

The SS City of Milwaukee officials are plan a float, built by volunteers, that looks like the historic ship. SS City of Milwaukee director Robby Laurain said the float will have some features sure to excite the crowd.

“We are going to try and put the air whistle on it, but we are still working on some logistics as far as getting an air tank on the float,” said Laurain in early June.

“Being able to run it through the whole parade is the challenge, but it is a whistle from the boiler room in the City of Milwaukee so it would be really cool to include it on the float.”

There also will be entries that focus on the importance of forests to Manistee County and to mark the festival that coincides with the local Independence Day celebration.

The Independence Day Parade also includes fun entries like the Manistee United Methodist Church’s Lawn Chair Precision Drill Team, which dazzles the crowd with a fun routine using lawn chairs.

Eric Thuemmel is back leading the group and said the concept is to do something different and have fun.

“People react well to us as it is a little change from what you normally see in the Forest Festival Parade,” he said.

Independence Day activities will close out this year with the 338th Army Country Band’s concert from 2-4 p.m at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Walsh Post No. 4499, located at 1211 28th St. in Manistee.

“We have been working with the local VFW (Post No. 4499) in doing country band performance through our group ‘Camouflage’ at 2 p.m. at the post,” said Storey.

Storey said the country band is just one of several breakout bands they have from the members of the 338th Band.

Entrants line up for the 2022 Manistee National Forest Festival Independence Day Parade. (File photo)

The flag raising ceremony took place on July 4, 2022 ahead of the Manistee National Forest Festival’s Independence Day parade on River Street. (File photo)

Several bands, including Manistee High School band, took part in the Manistee National Forest Festival Independence Day parade in 2022. (File photo)

SS City of Milwaukee planning replica parade entry

By K en Gra BowsK i

For the News AdvocAte

Community pride plays a key role each year in the entries for the Manistee National Forest Festival Parade.

It is an opportunity for organizations and businesses to celebrate Independence Day and the Forest Festival, but also show everyone they are proud to be a part of Manistee County.

This year the employees and volunteers at the S.S. City of Milwaukee will be reminding the thousands who attend the parade on July 4 the important role the nonprofit plays in Manistee. Members of the group are working on a float that will not only look like the S.S. City of Milwaukee, but include a small air whistle from the actual vessel.

“The SS City of Milwaukee is the last of six sister ships designed in the 1920s and built by the Manitowoc Shipbuilding company out of Wisconsin,” reads its website, in part.

The ship is located in Manistee, on Manistee Lake and is open for tours, available for facility rental, contains a bed and breakfast and hosts the annual Ghost Ship Haunted House in October.

S.S. City of Milwaukee director Rob Laurain said the group has done a lot of planning for their entry. He said they are looking forward to being part of the parade, which starts at 10 a.m. on July 4 on Division Street and will travel down River Street to the Armory Youth Project parking lot on First Street in Manistee.

“We are going to build something that resembles our ship on a trailer and decorate it to look like the Milwaukee,” said Laurain.

“We also hope to throw out some candy to the kids.”

He said plans are in the works for a unique addition to the float.

“We are going to try and put the air whistle on it, but we are still working on some logistics as far as getting an

air tank on the float,” said Laurain. “Being able to run it through the whole parade is the challenge, but it is a whistle from the boiler room in the City of Milwaukee so it would be really cool to include it on the float.”

Laurain said building the float is a combined effort of staff and volunteers to complete the project.

“It’s really all hands on deck to get it done,” he said. “We are going to have as many of our crew and volunteers to ride on the float that we can during the parade. It will be a blast.”

Laurain said they have had parade entries in the past, but not to this size level.

“The trailer is going to be about 16 feet long, so it will be pretty cool and we are working to keep everything to scale,” he said. Another reason for entering the float is to bring awareness to what they have to offer at the S.S. City of Milwaukee location.

“The reason we are doing it is to try and raise some local

awareness that we do more than just the Ghost Ship at Halloween,” he said. “There is a lot of people right here in Manistee who don’t know we have tours in the summer or that you can stay overnight so we are just trying to raise some awareness about what we offer.”

Laurain welcomes people to stop by during the Forest Festival to see in-person what they have to offer at the S.S. City of Milwaukee location on Arthur Street.

“’We will be open Thursday

through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from Sunday through Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the festival,” he said. “On the Fourth of July we will be coming right back here after the parade and opening our doors for the public for tours.

I think we will bring the float over there so everyone can see it after the parade.”

Laurain said if it goes well they will keep the model around and continue participating in the parade.

The SS City of Milwaukee is located at 99 Aurthur St. in Manistee and is open for tours. (Michelle Fedder/News Advocate)

Throughout the summer, the SS City of Milwaukee is open for tours and overnight stays. (Michelle Fedder/News Advocate)

Forest Festival parade features Lawn Chair Drill Team

By K en Gra BowsK i

For the News AdvocAte Parade entries come in many forms. Some fit the theme of the Manistee National Forest Festival or Independence Day while others are just plain fun for the thousands of people watching to enjoy.

Over the past several years, the Manistee United Methodist Church has come up with an entry that has quickly become a fun tradition. The Lawn Chair Precision Drill Team dazzles the crown with fun routines using lawn chairs.

The Manistee National Forest Festival parade starts at 10 a.m. on July 4 on Division Street and will travel down River Street to the Armory Youth Project parking lot on First Street in Manistee.

Eric Thuemmel has returned

to lead the group. He said the concept originated with a former minister at the United Methodist Church.

“We started doing it prepandemic and the pastor John Scott, who has since retired, said ‘Hey, let’s do something fun for the parade and just because we are a church it doesn’t mean we can’t do something fun,’” said Thuemmel. “He brought up the idea of a Lawn Chair Precision Drill Team.”

Troy Trombley was a Manistee High School graduate who was working at the church as an intern at the time and studying to be a pastor. Trombley offered to help with the initial group and teamed up with Thuemmel to form the first team.

“He and I got together to work on a drill we could do with about 12 people with lawn chairs in a line,” said Thuemmel. “Instead of being

a real precision group we are more relaxed and just do some fun motions in unison including flinging the chairs open at the end to sit down and rest for a while.”

The whole idea is to have fun , but like everything else the group was forced to take a break when the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered many events. Thuemmel laughs at how the group was revived in 2022 after that layoff.

“Troy isn’t living in the area anymore, so last year I was still around Manistee and kind of ended up being in charge again,” said Thuemmel with a laugh.

“We had some new people involved and we had a good time as people react well to us as it is a little change from what you normally see in the Forest Festival parade. So am I am back for one more year to lead the lawn chair group.”

He said it has been so much fun that the group is looking

at a way to translate the Lawn Chair Precision Drill Team to the Victorian Sleighbell Parade as well.

“It wouldn’t be lawn chairs and they had a few ideas, but that is a possibility that we might follow it up with something winter related as well,” he said. “It’s just done for fun and we hope people get a laugh and enjoy it.”

He said with tongue firmly planted in cheek that the group does intensive training to prepare for its appearance in the Forest Festival parade. “We get together two or three times to practice with the first one being primarily to remember what we did last year,” said Thuemmel with a laugh. “We ask if anyone has anything written down or any video, but no one ever does, so then we figure out what we did last year and plan for this one.”

He said after that, it’s just a matter of going around and

around the church parking lot numerous times to practice the drills.

“What we also have to do is remind everyone how long the parade route is and how hot it gets even though it is 10 a.m. ... as there isn’t any shade down there,” he said. He said people of all ages participate, from preteens all the way up to senior citizens. The main requirement is the ability to walk the entire parade route.

“We have some people who don’t belong to the church who marched as they saw it and thought it was fun,” said Thuemmel. “All they have to do is contact the United Methodist Church and leave their contact information with them to become part of the team.”

Call the church at 231-7236219.

338th Army Band to perform during Forest Festival

By K en Gra BowsK i For the News AdvocAte

A special treat will be awaiting those attending the 2023 Manistee National Forest Festival Parade at 10 a.m. on July 4 when the 40plus strong 338th Army Band will march with the entries down River Street.

The musicians are all fully enlisted reservists in the United States Army who went through combat training and were all trained to be deployed in whatever capacity they are needed, according to band member Sgt. Derek Storey. The group is based out of Livonia and Whitehall, Ohio. They perform in parades and concerts at various locations around the country during the summer.

“We essentially do this parttime and the general default being we get together once a month and for one to two weeks (during) the summer we get together for missions like coming to Manistee,” said Storey. “For Manistee specifically, we are sending the full group which is right around 45 personnel who will all be in full uniform.”

Being reservists, members of the group come from a variety of backgrounds in

their daily life. Storey, for example, works in finance in his civilian job, but being part of the band gives him the opportunity to be creative.

Storey is a former student of Manistee High School band director Andrea Mack.

“I am Michigan native who was born and raised in Allegan, which is where we will be the day before coming to Manistee when we do their Fourth of July celebration,” said Storey.

“(Andrea Mack) is the one who encouraged me to audition and pursue music in my undergraduate degree, which was instrumental to me where I am as a musician and a person.”

Storey said when he was given the opportunity to schedule and book performances for the 338th musical groups, Mack was one of the first people he reached out to for setting up a performance.

“It was a chance to facilitate and give back to her community for what she has been able to provide for me,” he said.

Storey said the group makeup changes often with a few retirees among them.

The 338th Army Band will march in the parade.

In addition, the band’s country group called Camouflage will perform at 2 p.m. on July 4 at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Walsh Post No. 4499 in Manistee.

Storey said the country band is just one of several breakout bands.

“We also have other small bands in rock, brass, quintet that just returned from performing in Italy, a woodwind quintet and as a big band,” said Storey.

“Our jazz ensemble will be performing at the Jazz and

Rib Festival in Columbus, Ohio. So there is a lot we can do and a lot of what groups we have all comes down to the type of musicians that are recruited. There are some preconceived notions of what military music is and what it can be.”

He said their performances are all about what the narrative of Army music can do.

“We sort of see ourselves as liaisons of military to the public and are here to provide messaging for the support of our troops and

civilians,” said Storey. “It’s about speaking to everyone in the universal language that is music.”

Storey said he performs in the rock band and loves the unity it brings out in its members and the audience.

“It’s very universal patriotic time where we can get together and focus on what a great nation this is we live in and support,” said Storey.

“We are always looking for ways to give back to the communities and talking with the people.”

The 338th Army Band will take part in the 2023 Manistee National Forest Festival Parade at 10 a.m. on July 4. (Submitted photo/Derek Storey)

The Manistee United Methodist Church’s entry to the 2022 Manistee National Forest Festival parade was the Lawn Chair Precision Drill Team. (File photo)

The Manistee United Methodist Church’s Lawn Chair Precision Drill Team features about a dozen members. The group performed its routine during the 2022 Manistee National Forest Festival parade. (File photo)

Manistee garden club adds patriotic spirit to Forest Festival Parade

By K en Gra BowsK i

For the News AdvocAte

A unique aspect to the Manistee National Forest Festival Independence Day Parade is there are several organizations that take part year after year.

For many people, the parade wouldn’t be the same without them.

A perfect example of that will be on display in the 2023 parade when the Spirit of the Woods Garden Club returns with its living American flag and Uncle Sam entry. The club has been doing this for more than a decade and members look forward every year to being a part of the Forest Festival parade.

“We have filled out all the paperwork and are planning to be in (the parade) again this year,” said garden club member Beth Markowski. “Our garden club members will be dressed as the living flag and then we have a couple of gentleman dressed as Uncle Sam, along with our banner that says Spirit of the Woods Garden Club to introduce the entry.”

Markowski said the group does its living flag presentation three times each year at local events.

“There is the Forest Festival, the Victorian Sleighbell Parade and we also do it for the Tight Lines for Troops event,” said Markowski. “We love doing it.”

Markowski explained how the long-standing tradition came about.

“A woman who lives in Kaleva made the outfits for the Benzie-

Manistee Snowmobile Club and eventually the members there stopped doing it so members of our garden club approached them to ask if we could use (the costumes),” said Markowski. “They said it would be fine as long as we treated them with due respect, so that is how we got them and have been using them ever since.”

Walking in the parades and events is something the Spirit of the Woods Garden Club members enjoy doing.

“All of the events are fun to walk in, but the Forest Festival (parade) takes place on the Fourth of July and it just such a patriotic thing,” said Markowski. “I do look out and everybody is really excited at seeing the flag, so it’s lots of fun.”

Markowski said Tina Mikulewicz is chairperson of the flag committee and “does a great job in taking care of the uniforms and making sure all the members will be there to walk in the parade.” She said Mikulewicz and the other members take a great deal of pride in what they do with their presentation of the flag.

“It’s important to us that we treat it with great respect,” she said.

The group doesn’t plan on changing anything in the years to come and look forward to marching in the Manistee National Forest Festival Parade for many more years.

The parade starts at 10 a.m. on July 4 on Division Street and will travel down River Street to the Armory Youth Project parking lot on First Street in Manistee.

Spirit of the Woods Garden Club members march in the 2022 Manistee National Forest Festival Independence Day parade with their “living flag” entry. The group has been taking part in the parade for more than a decade. (File photo)

Spirit of the Woods Garden Club members march in the 2022 Manistee National Forest Festival Independence Day parade with their entry featuring Uncle Sam and a “living parade.” The group has been taking part in the parade for more than a decade. (Michelle Graves/ News Advocate)

Make Some Grea t Memor ies a t the Manis

US Forest Service to host open house on June 29

By K en Gra BowsK i For the News AdvocAte

With a large portion of the Manistee National Forest located in Manistee County it’s only natural that the Manistee National Forest Festival should include fun, informative programs for people to learn more about the important role forests play in the area.

That’s why the U.S. Forest Service plans to hold an open house for the public from noon to 3 p.m. on June 29 at their headquarters at the Chittenden Nursery, located off M-55 in Wellston.

According to U.S. Forest Service supervisory forester Barb Heidel, the open house will offer displays and information of interest to people of all ages.

“Guests are invited to come say hello to Smokey Bear, visit our gift shop and interact with our local district staff,” said Heidel. “You will be able to see how the local district is working to save the American elm tree as the exhibit will include a tour of the area where the U.S. Forest Service is planting copies of surviving American elm trees.”

U.S. Forest Service is planting trees resistant to elm disease, and staff members hope these new plantings will someday help bring back that species.

Heidel pointed out that the Forest Service plays a vital role in firefighting when forest fires break out. This open house will allow the public to see some of the equipment they use when called upon to fight fires in

forested areas.

“Besides having some our firefighting equipment on display, our staff will also talk about wild land fire management in our area,” she said.

Also during the event, a botanist will be on hand to discuss the state of plants as well as ones from wildlife and timber management programs.

In past years the Forest Service would conduct a bus tour around Manistee County during the Forest Festival to show the public various projects they were working on. However, this year they are doing something different in terms of the tour.

“This year upon departure from the open house people will be given self-guided tour information with maps of recent forest management programs,” said Heidel. “We are still working on the route, but it will contain information about the different stages of forest management in those areas. The tour may be self-guided, but people can ask us questions about it during the open house.”

Heidel said the Chittenden headquarters has a native plant garden with different species blooming throughout the summer.

“There is sure to be some pretty blooms out there (during) the open house,” she said.

They also have a gift shop were there sell Smokey Bear items and other items like mushroom, flower and tree books .

Another interesting aspect of the Chittenden Nursery is

The newly renovated Chittenden Nursery facility in Wellston now hosts the Cadillac/Manistee Ranger District Office and staff. (Submitted photo/U.S. Forest Service)

In the 1950s, Chittenden Nursery workers could be seen lifting trees to be packed and shipped to the field. (Submitted photo/ U.S. Forest Service)

Continued from Page 8

that it’s a national historic site that was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.

“It was an active nursery and when you drive around Michigan, Wisconsin and places in the Midwest and see the Red Pine plantations, the majority of the trees you see came right out of Chittenden,” said Heidel. “It was the biggest producer for a long time.”

A horticulturist with the Forest Service is trying generate a group of trees resistant to heat and drought consisting of native plants like red and white pine; that project will also be on display during the event.

“So there is a lot going on

out there as there are plaques detailing the history of Chittenden and the big wheels that were at the Manistee County Historical Museum’s (former Water Works building) are out there,” said Heidel. “The Arboretum Trail is just around the corner by Pine Creek Road and is a great little trail through the woods.”

The Forest Service offices moved out to the Chittenden Nursery in 2020, so Heidel said many people may not realize what takes place there.

“We went out there right when the pandemic started kicking up so we never had the chance to do an open house then,” said Heidel. “So we are finally getting the chance to do it now and it is really a cool place.”

BOOK SIGNING

Come see Native Manistee Author Rober t H. Williams during his book signing at

Forest Festival offers many events for children to enjoy

By K en Gra BowsK i For the News AdvocAte

The Manistee National Forest Festival has events of interest for people of all ages, including several designed especially for the children of the community.

Events like the Little Big Shots Talent Show, the Tabernacle’s Family Fun Day and the Anderson Midway Carnival provide kids several options during the festival, which is planned for June 29 to July 4.

The Manistee County Blue Tigers will be hosting its fifth presentation of the Little Big Shots Talent Show, but it will be held at a new venue this year. The show is open to children age 4-16 years old and will be held from 1-3 p.m. on July 1 at the Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, located at 101 Maple St. in Manistee.

“We started doing the show in 2018 and we missed 2020 due to the COVID pandemic,” said Shirley Madden, an organizer of the event. “Usually we get about 15 to 20 kids every year. It is just amazing the talent some of these kids have, when they get in front of their parents and grandparents they really perform.”

The Blue Tigers is a community outreach organization that provides scholarship funding for those wanting to complete their GED or high school certification. The organization also provides assistance for other community programs such as Feeding America Food Truck, Meals on Wheels, FiveCap, Harbor House and others.

Thornetta Davis will be the emcee for the show. Among other awards, Davis is a nine-time Blues Music Award nominee, and the winner of the 2023 Blues Music Award for Best Soul/Blues Artist Female. She is known as “Detroit’s Queen of the Blues.”

Madden said each year participants all have their own specialty be it singing, dancing, gymnastics or playing a musical instrument.

“It just thrills me to watch them and all that innocence,” said Madden. “Last year we even had a young man who was 12 years old who was a comedian, but he had perfected his timing and he knew how to pause just at the right time and was very funny.”

Another event featuring plenty of fun things for the kids is the Family Fun Day, sponsored by the Tabernacle. It will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 1 at the

Armory Youth Project, located at 555 First St. in Manistee.

“We actually have expanded a little this year and there will be some new agencies and businesses there taking part, hosting events so that is pretty exciting,” said the Tabernacle’s Nikki Bruce, who is organizing the event. “We have Martin Marietta, Pierport Pony Club, 4-H, Trinity Lutheran School, Backstage Hobbies, so we are really excited to see some new business and groups join us this year with several returning businesses and agencies.”

Manistee City Police and Fire Department, Manistee County Sheriff’s Office, the Vogue Theatre, the Northern Michigan Dragway, Purple Paintbrush, the Manistee Conservation District, the U.S. Forest Service, the Manistee County Library and more are returning.

“There are 19 different interactive tables for kids and families to stop at, including ones with free cotton candy and snow cones,” said Bruce.

She added that “The Crazy Bubble Lady,” who is a kis favorite, is coming to “wow” everyone by creating giant soapy bubbles.

“That is a great addition for the kids as she is just a delight to have and she books out so far in advance that I missed her last year,” said Bruce. “She creates her own bubble solution and has these giant bubbles that the kids will also get a chance to do as well.”

She said there also will be a dunk tank, occupied by the Tabernacle’s youth pastor.

A free hot dog lunch is planned as well.

“Last year we served nearly 800 people at the hot dog lunch and we are hoping for as many or more this year,” Bruce said. “Everything is free and kids will earn free prizes along with some great raffles like last year.”

Bruce said the whole concept was designed to give something back to the community.

“We are really excited to do this and are so grateful for the businesses who step up to give to the kids of the community,” she said.

A Manistee National Forest Festival wouldn’t be complete without a carnival; this year Anderson Midway Carnival will be setting up their rides and booths at Douglas Park First Street Beach. They will be at that location from noon until dusk each day offering rides for both younger and older children.

One of the places full of activity on July 2, 2022 was the carnival portion of the Manistee National Forest Festival, presented by Anderson Midway Carnival. (File photo)

Check out Manistee’s giant sequoia during the Manistee National Forest Festival

By K en Gra BowsK i For the News AdvocAte

People attending the Manistee National Forest Festival will have the opportunity to celebrate the 75th anniversary of a special tree planting at the Lake Bluff Farms that has defied logic in terms of being able to survive in this climate.

Giant sequoia trees are primarily found in the western Sierra Nevada mountains and efforts to grow them outside of that climate haven’t been met with much success. However, in 1948 the late Manistee resident Eddie Gray and his wife planted several small sequoias at the then Lake Bluff Stables.

Seventy-five years later, the biggest of the three remaining trees — also known as the Michigan Champion — now stands 116 feet tall. To honor its 75th birthday in Manistee, those currently overseeing Lake Bluff Farms invite the public to view the historic trees during the Forest Festival.

Lake Bluff Farms will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 29 through July 4 at 2890 Lakeshore Road in Manistee. Volunteers will be on hand to answer questions about the trees and the plans for the property.

Bill Zielinski, who serves as treasurer of Lake Bluff Farms, said Gray built the homestead at that location.

“Joy Morton the founder of Morton Salt was married twice and his second wife was Margaret Gray, who had a son Eddie before their marriage,” said Zielinski.

“When Eddie came to Manistee he built the houses, stables and all that is out there.”

Grey was an arborist who always had a deep interest in trees, which prompted him to bring the sequoias to Manistee to see if they

would grow here.

“He brought six trees, about eight inches (tall), from Sierra Nevada (mountains) in California where they grow, but three of them died,” said Zielinski, Zielinski said Gray’s wife donated the more than 90 acre property to the Audubon Society in the late 1980s and the society tried to manage the property, but struggled with the upkeep of the buildings.

“The Audubon Society put out a request for proposal which groups would come in and tell how they could manage this property and Lake Bluff Farms put together a proposal and were the winners for the property,” said Zielinski. “We got it in 2019, but it wasn’t fully functional with all the transfer of ownership until 2021.”

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Lake Bluff Farms relies on donations for upkeep of the grounds. The organization aims to maintain the property for future generations to enjoy.

Serving as officers of the board of Lake Bluff Farms are Jim Cowan, president; Dannae Hoffman, vice president; Gloria Savoy, secretary; Bill Zielinski, treasurer; and Dr. Brian Allen, board member.

“Our goal is to keep the property open for a park that is open to the public,” said Zielinski. “The manor house that is there, we are going to put out on bed and breakfast this year, so people will have a chance to stay in the house.”

The group also is working to expand on its current sequoia population on the property. They worked with Archangel Trees, which is known worldwide for its work in cloning trees.

“We are in our third year growing some seedlings that are clones of big California trees includ-

ing the big one we have here,” said Zielinski. “Archangel are the ones who donated those trees.”

He said the trees planted could grow as large as the Michigan Champion, which would create “quite a grove of sequoias that would draw people from all over.”

“Almost all of the other baby

trees we have come from a tree named Stag in California and one clone from the tree Waterfall and those two (original trees) are in the top five biggest sequoias in the world,” said Zielinski. “We got a 3 year old Stag now looking nice and the Waterfall clone is growing great with a big thick trunk on

it and it’s only three feet tall.” Zielinski invites everyone to check out the sequoia trees and clones.

“It is the Forest Festival, and what better way to celebrate it than checking out some of the unique trees we have right here in Manistee?” he said.

Musician Tom Wall plays a duet in September 2022 along with a giant sequoia at Lake Bluff Farms in Manistee. Wall uses a device which transmits and converts the tree’s electric impulses into notes and sounds. (File photo)

Dozens visited Lake Bluff Farms in September 2022 in Manistee to see Jesse Ketchum and Jake Milarch, of Archangel Ancient Tree Archive in Copemish, scale a giant sequoia tree to collect samples for cloning. (File photo)

Schedule of events

The Manistee National Forest Festival is slated from June 29 to July 4. Additional events could be added to the schedule online at manisteeforestfestival.com

The schedule of events -- as of June 10 -- is as follows:

Thursday, June 29

• 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., 75th Birthday of the Lake Bluff Farms Giant Sequoia

Lake Bluff Farms, 2890 Lakeshore RoadLake Bluff Farms is the home of the largest Giant Sequoia east of the Rocky Mountain. The biggest of three trees is 116 feet tall. Since the “natural” distribution of the giant sequoias is a limited area in the western Sierra Nevada in California, the Lake Bluff sequoias are one of a kind. During the Manistee National Forest Festival, Lake Bluff Farms will be open for tours from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., highlighting one of Manistee’s hidden treasures of the forest.

• 9 a.m. to dusk, Festival Marketplace

Douglas Park, First Street Beach in Manistee

Shop for a variety of goods with over 30 vendors from all across the state.

• Noon to 3 p.m., Manistee National Forest Open House

1170 Nursery Road in Wellston

The headquarters sits on the historic Chittenden Nursery where guests are invited to come say hello to Smokey Bear, visit the gift shop and interact with district staff. Exhibits will include a tour of an active seed bed where the Forest Service is planting copies of surviving American elm that will be included in a Dutch Elm Disease Tolerance Trial. the firefighting unit will have some equipment on display and talk about wildland fire management in the area. District botanists will be showing off the district’s native plant and pollinator garden. Recre-

ation, wildlife and timber management programs will provide additional presentations. Upon departure visitors can pick up a self-guided tour map of recent forest management projects containing the location and information about the different stages of forest management.

• Noon to dusk, Anderson Midway Carnival

Douglas Park, First Street Beach in Manistee

Take the family to enjoy the rides, games, food and fun only the carnival can provide. Cost: $1.50 each ticket, $20 for 15, $50 for 50 or $25 for a day-use armband

Friday, June 30

• 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., 75th Birthday of the Lake Bluff Farms Giant Sequoia

Lake Bluff Farms, 2890 Lakeshore Road

Lake Bluff Farms is the home of the largest Giant Sequoia east of the Rocky Mountain. The biggest of three trees is 116 feet tall. Since the “natural” distribution of the giant sequoias is a limited area in the western Sierra Nevada in California, the Lake Bluff sequoias are one of a kind. During the Manistee National Forest Festival, Lake Bluff Farms will be open for tours from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., highlighting one of Manistee’s

hidden treasures of the forest.

• 9 a.m. to dusk, Festival Marketplace

Douglas Park, First Street Beach in Manistee

Shop for a variety of goods with over 30 vendors from all across the state.

• 10 a.m. to dusk, Whispering Pines Mobile Petting Zoo

Douglas Park, First Street Beach in Manistee

A mobile exhibit that has a variety of animals to view from around the world. It’s a fun experience for the whole family and it’s free.

• 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Pop-up Sale featuring small business Peachy Frog

Port City Emporium Gift Shop, 354 River St. in Manistee

Pop up sale includes candles, body butter, scrubs, lip balms and more. All made in Manistee

• Noon to dusk, Anderson Midway Carnival

Douglas Park, First Street Beach in Manistee

Take the family to enjoy the rides, games, food and fun only the carnival can provide. Cost: $1.50 each ticket, $20 for 15, $50 for 50 or $25 for a day-use armband

• 3-5 p.m., Wine on the River

Fricano’s Manistee River, 440 River St. in Manistee

Kick off the Forest Festival with a wine tasting on the deck, with charcuterie snacks provided. Tickets will be at the door. Cost: $3 per ticket, per pour.

• 4:30-7 p.m., Manistee Lions Fish Boil

Lions Pavilion, First Street Beach in Manistee

Fish boil (lake trout and salmon) served with boiled potatoes and onions, coleslaw, roll and butter. Strawberry shortcake will be available for purchase. Cost: $15 adults, $7 for children ages 3-11

• 5-8 p.m., Opening the Mary Wahr Manistee A-Z Exhibit

ruddiblush, 321 River St. in Manistee

Meet the artist and sip some wine. All are welcome.

• 6-9 p.m., American Pride Sip & Paint Party

The Purple Paintbrush, 338 River St. in Manistee

Create your own patriot canvas art. Reservations are required. Call or text 231-747-9430, or sign up on online at https://artful-creations-2.square.site/ Cost: $35

• 7-11 p.m., Jaycees Beach

Jam

First Street Beach in Manistee

Sink your toes in the sand and enjoy the live music brought to you by Manistee’s local band The Downtowners. BYOB and chairs. Free event

Saturday, July 1

• 8 a.m., Manistee Firecracker 5K Run/Walk & 1K Fun Run

Manistee Middle/High School, 525 12th St. in Manistee

Competitive road race to raise funds for the Manistee Area Community Track. Cost: $32

• 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., 75th Birthday of the Lake Bluff Farms Giant Sequoia

Lake Bluff Farms, 2890 Lakeshore Road

Lake Bluff Farms is the home of the largest Giant Sequoia east of the Rocky Mountain. The biggest of three trees is 116 feet tall. Since the “natural” distribution of the giant sequoias is a limited area in the western Sierra Nevada in California, the Lake Bluff sequoias are one of a kind. During the Manistee National Forest Festival, Lake Bluff Farms will be open for tours from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., highlighting one of Manistee’s hidden treasures of the

Local youths feed animals at the Whispering Pines Petting Zoo during the 2021 Manistee National Forest Festival. (File photo)

forest.

• 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Rosie Solberg’s Annual Fourth of July Bake Sale

Northwest corner of Hastings and 5th Avenue in Manistee

Rosie Solberg’s Annual Bake Sale for local Missions -- Manistee United Methodist Church Women’s Ministries

• 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Manistee World of Arts and Crafts

Red Szymarek Park on Fifth Avenue in Manistee

Artists from all over the United States apply for the juried show to sell their wares. People can stroll in comfort to view the booths, enjoy the excellent food and musical entertainment.

• 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Summer Book Sale hosted by the Friends of the Manistee County Library

Behind the Manistee Library, 95 Maple St. in Manistee

Sale of thousands of used books for all ages, as well as recorded books, DVDs, CDs and puzzles.

• 9 a.m. to dusk, Festival Marketplace

Douglas Park, First Street Beach in Manistee

Shop for a variety of goods with over 30 vendors from all across the state.

• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Family Day hosted by The Tabernacle

Armory Youth Project parking lot, 555 First St. in Manistee

This is a free, family friendly event. Enjoy games, prizes, a hot dog lunch, cotton candy, snow cones, bounce houses, raffle prizes and much more. Keep your eyes open for Smoky The Bear. Blow bubbles with “The Bubble Lady,” and even take a seat in a drag race car.

• 10 a.m. to dusk, Whispering Pines Mobile Petting Zoo

Douglas Park, First Street Beach in Manistee

A mobile exhibit that has a variety of animals to view

from around the world. It’s a fun experience for the whole family and it’s free.

• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Pete The Cat

Happy Owl Bookshop, 358 River St. in Manistee

Pete the Cat will be at the Happy Owl Bookshop to meet his fans and pose for pictures. Free event

• 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Half off firing fees

The Purple Paintbrush, 338 River St. in Manistee

In honor of the Manistee National Forest Festival, the Purple Paintbrush will be offering half off all firing fees. Pottery prices vary.

• 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Annual Fourth of July Cigar Event

Surroundings, 423 River St. in Manistee

This event is open to the public, featuring CLE and Asylum cigars. Special Guests Tom Lazuka, owner and operator of CLE and Asylum cigars and brand representative Lucas “Nook” Mercer. “Event only” specials and collectable cigar swag, with a tent out back if you would like to stay for a smoke and visit with Tom. Must be 21 or older to attend.

• Noon to dusk, Anderson

Midway Carnival

Douglas Park, First Street Beach in Manistee

Take the family to enjoy the rides, games, food and fun only the carnival can provide. Cost: $1.50 each ticket, $20 for 15, $50 for 50 or $25 for a day-use armband

• 1-3 p.m., Little Big Shots Talent Show

Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, 101 Maple St. in Manistee

Children ages 4-16 will display their talents of singing, dancing, gymnastics, playing the piano and other musical instruments, and even a stand-up comedy performance. There are about 20 performances.

• 6-9 p.m., Manistee Summer Sun Sets Concert Series featuring Abbie Thomas

Rotary Gazebo, First Street Beach

Free concert. Singer-songwriter, Abbie Thomas is an Indiana native mixes soulful vocals with pop melodies and hints of R&B, jazz and a vibe from the songwriters of the 1970s. New Manistee-based nonprofit organization, Music Sparks Meaning, provides local students the opportunity to collaborate and perform with professionally touring musicians.

Sunday, July 2

• 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., “You’ll Flip Over This!” Traditional Pancake Breakfast

The commons at Manistee Middle/High School, 525 Twelfth St. in Manistee

Serving stacks of flapjacks and other delicious items. All proceeds will benefit the Paine Aquatic Center. Cost: $8 for adults; $6 for children age 5-12; no charge for children under age 5

• 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., 75th

Farms Giant Sequoia

Lake Bluff Farms, 2890 Lakeshore Road

Lake Bluff Farms is the home of the largest Giant Sequoia east of the Rocky Mountain. The biggest of three trees is 116 feet tall. Since the “natural” distribution of the giant sequoias is a limited area in the western Sierra Nevada in California, the Lake Bluff sequoias are one of a kind. During the Manistee National Forest

Visiting the former Lake Bluff Bird Sanctuary location now overseen by Lake Bluff Farms, one may look up and see a few giant sequoias in Manistee. (File photo)

Festival, Lake Bluff Farms will be open for tours from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., highlighting one of Manistee’s hidden treasures of the forest.

• 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Manistee World of Arts and Crafts

Red Szymarek Park on Fifth Avenue in Manistee

Artists from all over the United States apply for the juried show to sell their wares. People can stroll in comfort to view the booths, enjoy the excellent food and musical entertainment.

• 9 a.m. to dusk, Festival Marketplace

Douglas Park, First Street Beach in Manistee

Shop for a variety of goods with over 30 vendors from all across the state.

• 10 a.m. to dusk, Whispering Pines Mobile Petting Zoo

Douglas Park, First Street Beach in Manistee

A mobile exhibit that has a variety of animals to view from around the world. It’s a fun experience for the whole family. Free event

• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., “A Yooper’s Tale: Death by Wendigo” book signing Happy Owl Bookshop, 358 River St. in Manistee

Author Robert Williams will be at the bookshop to sign copies of his book “A Yooper’s Tale: Death by

Wendigo”

• Noon to dusk, Anderson Midway Carnival

Douglas Park, First Street Beach in Manistee

Take the family to enjoy the rides, games, food and fun only the carnival can provide. Cost: $1.50 each ticket, $20 for 15, $50 for 50 or $25 for a day-use armband

• 1-3 p.m., Scottville Clown Band Concert

Lions Pavilion, First Street Beach in Manistee

Bring your chair and refreshments to watch the humorous clown band perform.

• Dusk (10:30 p.m.), Fireworks Over Lake Michigan

Douglas Park, First Street Beach in Manistee

Enjoy a traditional fireworks show located at the beach. Tune in to the countdown and synced music on Eagle 101.5 FM. In the event of inclement weather, the fireworks show will be rescheduled for July 4

Monday, July 3

• 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., 75th Birthday of the Lake Bluff Farms Giant Sequoia

Lake Bluff Farms, 2890 Lakeshore Road

Lake Bluff Farms is the home of the largest Giant Sequoia east of the Rocky Mountain. The biggest of three trees is 116 feet tall. Since the “natural”

distribution of the giant sequoias is a limited area in the western Sierra Nevada in California, the Lake Bluff sequoias are one of a kind. During the Manistee National Forest Festival, Lake Bluff Farms will be open for tours from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., highlighting one of Manistee’s hidden treasures of the forest.

• 9 a.m. to dusk, Festival Marketplace

Douglas Park, First Street Beach in Manistee Shop for a variety of goods with over 30 vendors from all across the state.

• 10 a.m. to dusk, Whispering Pines Mobile Petting Zoo

Douglas Park, First Street Beach in Manistee

A mobile exhibit that has a variety of animals to view from around the world. It’s a fun experience for the whole family and it’s free.

• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., “A Yooper’s Tale: Death by Wendigo” book signing Happy Owl Bookshop, 358 River St. in Manistee

Author Robert Williams will be at the bookshop to sign copies of his book “A Yooper’s Tale: Death by Wendigo”

• Noon to dusk, Anderson Midway Carnival

Douglas Park, First Street Beach in Manistee

Take the family to enjoy the rides, games, food and fun only the carnival can

provide. Cost: $1.50 each ticket, $20 for 15, $50 for 50 or $25 for a day-use armband

Tuesday, July 4

• 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., 75th Birthday of the Lake Bluff Farms Giant Sequoia Lake Bluff Farms, 2890 Lakeshore Road

Lake Bluff Farms is the home of the largest Giant Sequoia east of the Rocky Mountain. The biggest of three trees is 116 feet tall. Since the “natural” distribution of the giant sequoias is a limited area in the western Sierra Nevada in California, the Lake Bluff sequoias are one of a kind. During the Manistee National Forest Festival, Lake Bluff Farms will be open for tours from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., highlighting one of Manistee’s hidden treasures of the forest.

• 9 a.m. to noon, City2Shore Port City Associates Real Estate 340 River St. in Manistee

City2Shore Port City Associates team will have a greeting table set up and will be giving away parade bags and goodies to the public attending the parade festivities on River Street.

• 9 a.m. to dusk, Festival Marketplace

Douglas Park, First Street Beach in Manistee

Shop for a variety of goods with over 30 vendors from all across the

• 9:45 a.m., Independence Day Flag Raising Ceremony

Division and River streets in Manistee,

Kick off your Fourth of July celebration with a traditional flag raising event before the Forest Festival parade.

• 10 a.m., Independence Day Parade

Division and River streets in Manistee

Travels west on River Street from Division Street to the Armory Youth Project parking lot, providing a view of all of the floats, marchers and other fun parade participants.

• Noon to dusk, Anderson Midway Carnival

Douglas Park, First Street Beach in Manistee

Take the family to enjoy the rides, games, food and fun only the carnival can provide. Cost: $1.50 each ticket, $20 for 15, $50 for 50 or $25 for a day-use armband

• 2-4 p.m., 338th Army Band Country & Rock Concert

Manistee Veterans of Foreign Wars Walsh Post No. 4499, at 1211 28th St. in Manistee

Rock and country music and celebration of veterans. Learn more about local veterans groups, and support the Manistee VFW. Food will be available for purchase. Free concert

The Scottville Clown Band performed during the 2022 Manistee National Forest Festival parade on River Street in Manistee. (File photo)