Heritage Days Seeking Beer Tent Committee Chair

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Last night was the second meeting of the Marion Township Heritage Days committee and one of the biggest decisions on the agenda was whether or not to continue the Beer Tent which was added to the Festival roster in 2011. Unless some new blood is infused into the committee, the Beer Tent may be cancelled for 2012. The simple fact of the matter is that the growth of the annual event over the past couple of years has outgrown the abilities of the current committee members and more community members are needed to step up and volunteer if the Beer Tent is to continue.

Anyone interested in chairing the Beer Tent for Marion Township Heritage Days would need to be available to coordinate volunteers to man the tent, advertise and set up, and attend monthly meetings through June 9 and10, which is when the Fifth Annual Heritage Days Festival will take place this year. Full details can be obtained by stopping into the Township Hall located at 2877 W. Coon Lake Road, Howell, where the actual event takes place on the grounds. Interested parties should contact Tammy Beal at the Marion Township Hall (517) 546-1588.

The 2012 Festival will continue to have an indoor arts market on Saturday, and an outdoor peddler’s market both days of the event. Vendor spots for both markets are still available at a reasonable $20 indoor and $30 outdoor set up fee. You can download and submit a vendor form here.

Farmer John and The Barnyard Express will be in attendance for the kids on Saturday, and the Sunday Pancake Breakfast and Car Show will once again draw thousands of residents to this local event which celebrates the agricultural heritage of the area with historical steam engine equipment including sawmill, thrashing and plowing equipment. It’s hoped that this year’s event will include a chain saw carver, Ferrier, sheep shearing and other events to entertain and educate the community. The tractor pull will continue, as will live music from No Excuses and Company of Strangers. Additional bands are being sought for the event as well particularly to fill the space around 4-6 p.m. between the Peddler’s Market and the anticipated Beer Tent which preceeds the evening Sparks Show.

New this year will be the national anthem sung by local talent, Fetching Rubies, who recently opened a Detroit Piston’s game with their voices raised to the same glorious words. Plans include additional children’s events including an obstacle course, and an inflatable bounce slide is on the wish list for the event. The Community Booth is also collecting children’s books and last year handed out more than 300 to local kids. If you have gently used children’s books you’d like to share with the community please contact Bernie Gerecke .

There is no doubt that this year’s festival will be even better than the last, as the outpouring of support for this community event continues to grow, as does attendance by local families each year. Pictures of last years event can be seen on the Heritage Days Facebook page.

So, mark your calendars for June 9 and 10, and come out to this family friendly event. If members of the community would like to join in the planning activities of the Marion Township Heritage Days Festival, the group is always looking for new volunteers. The next meeting of the Committee will take place March 12, at 7:00 p.m. where the fate of the Beer Tent will likely be decided.

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The Livingston Post is the only locally owned, all-digital information and opinion site in Livingston County, Mich. It was launched by award-winning journalists who were laid off from the Livingston County Daily Press & Argus by Gannett Co. Inc. in 2009.