Ortonville- The sixth annual CreekFest will be June 7 with activities planned around the village from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
From minnow races, to lunches to music, CreekFest 2008 is the place to be.
The purpose of the event, sponsored by the Ortonville Downtown Development Authority, is to educate the public about the presence of the waterways in the village and Brandon Township’particularly Kearsley Creek as the headwaters of the Flint River and Saginaw Bay.
Kearsley Creek is one of only two remaining designated trout streams in Oakland County. Waterways like the creek are threatened by construction and runoff from parking lots and concrete roads, which raise the temperatures of rivers and streams.
Molly Lalone, DDA executive director, said visitors to CreekFest can look forward to new festivities including a CreekFest Gala.
Patrons can sample some of the area’s culinary delights with the Taste of CreekFest, featuring venison chili from Bullfrogs Restaurant, enchiladas from The Nickelodeon, smoked pulled pork from O’Malley’s Galley, salads and breadsticks from Papa Bella’s, and yet to be announced selections from Cranberries Cafe and MacPhee’s Restaurant. Taste of CreekFest is from 1-5 p.m. at the Village Pub and tent. Tickets are $40.
Besides Taste of CreekFest, a pancake breakfast will be hosted by the Ortonville United Methodist Church, 93 Church St., from 8-10 a.m., followed by lunch including hot dogs and ice cream at the Old Mill from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Along with the new gala, CreekFest favorites like the craft market and critter contest will also take place.
At 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at the Old Mill, CreekFest visitors can sing along with the music of Bill Bynum, a Detroit native with southern musical roots. His parents migrated from the West Memphis, Ark. area to take part in Michigan’s steel industry in the 1940s, bringing, like many, their love for bluegrass and country music. Joining Bynum will be Mary Seelhorst on fiddle and vocals; Dave Keeney on dobro and guitar; and Chuck Anderson on the double bass, along with the help of David Mosher.
‘There will be a silent auction, a magician will be coming through and there will be a bagpiper and a drummer to listen to,? Lalone said.
From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., patrons can browse the Treasures in Town, a community yard sale planned at Crossman Park. Other favorites set to return include the yacht race (kids make a yacht at the Fire Hall in the morning and race it on Kearsley Creek from 12:15-1 p.m.), minnow races beginning at 2 p.m. and a bat show at 11:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. at the Old Town Hall. The Brandon Garden Club will start the sunflower contest, which will be judged during Septemberfest.
Elizabeth McGhee (Mrs. Michigan third runner-up) will be the keynote speaker.
For details on CreekFest or obtaining Taste of CreekFest tickets, call Molly LaLone at 248-627-8070.