Ortonville-After a decade of teaching people how to care for the local waterways’CreekFest has reinvented itself as a weekend celebration.
‘Thanks to the hard work of the Ortonville Lions Club, the Ortonville DDA, and Ortonville Chamber of Commerce, Ortonville will be overflowing with fun for the whole family,? said DDA Executive Director Molly LaLone. ‘This is the weekend to be in Ortonville for sure.?
CreekFest, the annual environmental education event celebrating Kearsley Creek and local waterways will be June 29-30 in the village.
Starting Thursday, June 27, check out the carnival. Friday visit the shops downtown including the Farmers Market and be a part of the celebration as the Headwaters King and Queen are crowned.
New to CreekFest this year is a large parade June 29 in which Jenny Olsen, a Brandon graduate and co-host of the PBS show Michigan Out-of-Doors, will be grand marshal. Senator Dave Robertson will also be in the parade. To have your group in the parade, preregister at the village offices.
‘There will be some very unique attractions including the tallest stilt walker in Michigan? Joel Tacey,? said LaLone. ‘Then on Saturday pick your spot on South Street and see possibly the largest parade ever in Ortonville which starts at 10 a.m. The parade will also feature Lake Shoremen Drum and Bugle Corp from Southgate, fancy cars, boats and big bikes.?
LaLone suggests staking out your favorite spot for fireworks out near M-15 then taking the shuttle bus into downtown for shopping outrageous bed races and live music while waiting for the show to start.
There will be bus services into the downtown area, Friday through Sunday, bathrooms and refreshments at the Christ the Shepherd Lutheran Church on S. Church Street (across from the fire station) will be open. At 10 a.m. Saturday the Ortonville United Methodist Church will offer a breakfast.
Also new this year Fran from Brandon Township Library will have story hours and the natural inhabitants of the Kearsley Creek will be available to touch and meet.
‘The kids should try the greased watermelon wrestling contest in the Kearsley Creek,? said LaLone.
At 7:30 a.m., June 30 master grillers are still needed to participate in the CreekFest Rib Cook-Off. The cost is $10 to enter bring enough ribs for four judges. Cash prizes, CreekFest apron and bragging rights for the best ribs.
In addition to the new events, old favorites are returning, including Joe Rogers of Birds of Prey, joined by Evie Bosse; the critter contest, in which participants can decorate a trout ($50 entry fee); and educational exhibits and homemade, handcrafted goods will be on display and available for sale by local artisans.
Entertainment will be provided by musician Rob Norum and family-friendly comedians Steve Lind and Sal Demillo along with folk singer Evie Boss. The Ortonville Community Historical Society will host crafts and games. Live music Jay Jolley at the Ortonville Pub Saturday at 5 p.m.
For more information on CreekFest, call LaLone at 248-627-8070. For details on the bed races, call Toni Mariucci at 248-240-8619.