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8/3/2007 11:05:00 PM
Stanton Old Fashioned Days next week
Lori Hansen
Correspondent
STANTON - "Getting bigger and better each year" is how Stanton Old Fashioned Days Executive Board President Richard Hotchkiss describes this year's five-day event.
"This is the 24th year and every year it grows," he said.
The kickoff for the celebration, whose purpose is to promote the heritage and history of Stanton, will be Wednesday with tryouts for the talent show on the Main Stage next to Chemical Bank.
"We have had 32 contestants preregister already for the two different categories, with a grand prize of $200 for each category," Hotchkiss said.
Stanton royalty will be selected during a Thursday pageant, also on the Main Stage.
Two new Saturday events this year will include a 5-kilometer run at Central Montcalm High School and a student art auction, whose paintings currently are on display at Chemical Bank.
"Twenty-five percent of the profit will go right back into the art department," Hotchkiss said. "This event is such a hit already, we already have taken to planning for next year."
Two events also will see new locations. Saturday's sand volleyball tournament and Sunday's mud volleyball both are scheduled for Double Six, located three miles north of Stanton on M-66.
Also on Saturday, more than 300 cars will be featured at the car show, where registered car owners will be eligible for a $50 prize every 30 minutes.
Ford tractors will be featured at the 2007 tractor show, also on Saturday. A total of 107 participants currently are registered but organizers would like more.
"This has really taken off in the past six years," said Tractor Show Committee Chairman Carl Chapin.
"We are also excited about doing more for the kids," he said. "We are also having them in a park near McDonald's so they are easier to find. The Kiddie Parade will be on Saturday with a variety of games, chalk art and face painting being offered."
Free musical entertainment also is planned for Saturday. Elvis Presley impersonator Fred Wolfe, the Country Green band and the Mid Statesmen Chorus barbershop quartet all will take the stage that day.
A communitywide church service, combining churches of varying denominations, is slated for Sunday.
"Our sponsors come through year in and year out," Chapin said. "This has been a rough time in Montcalm County, but our sponsors came through for us and it will be one of the best (festivals) ever."
"To do a program like this, it is a total team effort," Hotchkiss agreed. "This year is one of the best teams, who are over and above in their dedication to bring this together."
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