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Red Flannel Festival 2006 Event Winners |
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The 67th Annual Red Flannel Festival "rode the wave" to success in 2006! The weather was sunny and almost 70 degrees as the streets filled with the sea of red! The first ever television commercials and the wide radio campaign provided expanded exposure than in previous years bringing over 30,000 people to Cedar Springs! Almost all of the events had a record year in attendance and sales! I'm so proud of the all volunteer board of directors and ALL of the volunteers that make this event so successful every year! Briefs from all events: Grand Marshals George and Sandy Waite presided over ALL events of the Festival this year. (Not just the Parade)
The Sponsor Breakfast began in 2002 with 4 sponsors attending. This year, in its' fourth year, over 41 sponsors enjoyed a delicious hot catered breakfast with awards and recognition. Mayor Ronny Merlington was on hand to thank all of the sponsors for their commitment to the Red Flannel Festival and Cedar Springs.
The rescheduled Children's Parade at 10 am on Saturday was led by the Keystone Kops from North Main Street to Stein Brothers Pizza.
The inflatable 55 ft. caterpillar (also was rained out the previous week) was a HIT on Main Street next to the Rotary Chicken BBQ! There was a line of children there ALL DAY....free admission!
The new lumberjack show, The Great Lakes Timber Show, from Escanaba, Michigan was hilarious, while providing historical lumberjack facts for the crowd |
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Float Winners |
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The Flapjack Breakfast, a new event last year, and moved to Red Hawk Elementary this year, served a RECORD 700+ breakfasts!!! Mary Skelonc and the Mary Queen of Apostles Youth Group partner with the Festival to earn monies for their activities. The Chili Cook Off was a success, as it moved back to its' original location on Main and Cherry Streets. Chairperson Sue Dault reports the entries were full at 25 chilis and the finalists are: 1st place: Roger Haveman; 2nd Place Kelly Koehler; 3rd Place: Nancy Courser.
The Red Flannel Marketplace was FULL of vendors on Elm Street, over 90 vendors selling a wide array of merchandise.
The Giant Arts & Craft Fair was also FULL of beautiful handmade crafters and had a record attendance of over 2,000!!!
The beautiful new Red Flannel Queen Float, designed by Tammy Alvaro and built by Tony Raines, was magnificent as it carried the 2006 Red Flannel Queen, Rebecca Tackmann and her Court.
The Queen's Tea held at Red Hawk Elementary Media Center welcomed all of the visiting royalty in the Grand Parade and was beautiful and elegant led by Chairperson Angie Slagter.
The Grand Parade, typically at 120 entries, had over 160, as RFF Board Member Kris Olson and her Parade Committee lined up the largest Red Flannel Parade in recent memory! This year, the very first live remote of the Parade was broadcast on 106.3 FM with Sue Harrison again doing a fantastic job of announcing each entry!
The Red Flannel Grand Lodge was another success! The non-profit groups who provided volunteers included the Morley Legion and its' Auxiliary, the Chamber of Commerce and the Traveling Hockey Team. The local band, Mane Street provided the entertainment and MCU Body Shop owner, Scott Knecht again graciously provided the space for the larger (40x120) tent. Initial estimates are approximately $8,000 profit again this year for the Grand Lodge. Classic Kelly's Restaurant provided Texas BBQ sandwiches and Kevin reported record sales of over 140 sandwiches sold this year at the Grand Lodge.
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