Elks to host annual July Fourth picnic
By Scott Mitchell Johnson
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — For the seventh consecutive year, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge 1954 of Presque Isle will host a free picnic for the public at Riverside Park on July Fourth from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. In the event of rain, however, all activities will be postponed until Saturday, July 7.
Presque Isle Elks will be grilling hot dogs and hamburgers. As in previous years, they will also provide soft drinks, a variety of potato chips and ice cream. New to this year’s celebration will be the addition of snow cones and cotton candy, while they last. All will be provided free of charge.
“The value of this Elks’ event to the Presque Isle community can be best seen in its attendance, which now exceeds 1,000 people and has grown incrementally every year,” said Elks Exalted Ruler Michael Lafrance. “Additionally, the demographics of those attending, which tend to be the very young and the elderly citizens of this area, demonstrates the void which this event fills for the community.
“For the working families who cannot get away for a one-day holiday, and for the elderly who may have been left behind,” he said, “the Elks’ July Fourth community picnic provides a truly fun event. Many in this community have come to look forward to the picnic each year and will remember it for months thereafter.”
Activities available at the park during the picnic will include a variety of contests for children, with prizes for all participants, boat rides on the Presque Isle Stream, bounce houses for children under age 11, and a dunking booth, where anyone can test the accuracy of their softball-throwing ability by hitting a target which will drop the celebrity of the moment into the chilling water of the dunk tank. Nominations of persons to be dunked will be received throughout the picnic.
Four children’s bicycles will be given away during the picnic to two lucky girls and two boys.
The Presque Isle Fire Department will be demonstrating its fire and safety equipment, and area musicians will be providing live entertainment in the park’s gazebo.
Riverside Drive will be closed to traffic from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. to accommodate the picnic and to provide the venue for the Elks’ car show. Registration for the car show is free, and all participating car owners will receive a gift. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m., and the show will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Trophies will be awarded to the best vehicle in each class, including muscle cars, antique and classic cars, and cars of special interest. A trophy will also be awarded on the basis of People’s Choice and Best in Show.
“The Presque Isle Elks look forward to seeing the hundreds of smiling faces of young children, their parents and grandparents for whom this July Fourth picnic provides a memorable holiday experience,” said Lafrance. “Elks members obtain great satisfaction from serving hundreds of hotdogs and hamburgers and soft drinks to the entire public as they live the Elks’ motto, ‘Elks Care, Elks Share.’”
Transportation to Riverside Park, including transportation for wheelchair-bound individuals, can be arranged by calling the Presque Isle Elks at 764-0985.
For further information, contact Alan Harding at 764-0131.
