According to Juli Messenger, the executive director of the Montrose Area Merchants Association (MAMA), the board invented Summerfest in 1998 as a way to keep some of Montrose’s residents in town during the Fourth of July weekend. MAMA wanted to offer them activities here.
Similar to years past, MAMA will host the Independence Day event at the McNeil fields. It will run from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
 Shelby Parker demolishes a pie during the pie eating contest at the GASS celebration at Rotary Park last year. (Joel Blocker / Daily Press File Photo) Advertisement |
The MAMA board has brainstormed many creative and unique challenges to gear the event toward interactive, family fun. Competitions such as creeper races, the hay bale toss, egg toss, frog hop, wheel barrow races, sand sculpture competitions, tug-o-war, three-legged races, bathtub derby, sack races and bed races are a few of many items on the MAMA agenda for the day.
Winners of the competitions will receive MAMA bucks.
“With MAMA bucks as prizes for all the events, we also help our merchants because everyone will go and spend the MAMA bucks in town,” said Messenger.
According to Messenger, the bathtub derby is one of the more popular events. In years past, participants were asked to build their own bathtubs matching certain specifications. This year, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing has constructed a MAMA derby vessel.
“We will have one bathtub and we will have a bather sit in it with water. Two people will push it through the course,” said Messenger.
Another unique and unusual event is the bed races. MAMA had a bed carefully constructed for the particular event. Teams of two must race the bed from start to finish, one team member riding on the bed and the other pushing.
The MAMA board has planned events that are less strenuous as well. The creative sand sculpture competition and casting derby are challenges that the whole family can participate in.
Younger children can have their faces painted and receive free balloons. They can also be involved in hula-hoop, jump-rope, paper airplane, and bubble blowing competitions.
The ever popular salsa competition will return, hosted by Chili’s. Winners will receive Chili gift cards.
Food and jewelry vendors, and even a temporary tattoo artist also will be on hand.
Two years ago, MAMA changed the name of their Fourth of July event from the Great American Summer Salute to the Montrose Summerfest. The reason for this switch was the addition of an arts and crafts fair.
“We wanted people to know and understand that now we did not just have the Great American Summer Salute, but we also had an arts and crafts festival. It’s more, it’s bigger, it’s better,” said Messenger.
Cindy Schmalz, the promoter of CCS Creations and Promotions, said “We have a lot of variety in the arts and crafts festival. Carol Reschak with Blue Rose Creations does the handmade hot pads with matching pot holders. Kimberly Babbel with Signs from the Heart does handcrafted signs with wood on tile and ceramic. Lois Fritz with Designs by Gemini sells gemstone jewelry and handmade quilts and afghans.”
Also featured will be goat’s milk soap and lotion, rustic home decor items and a homemade quilt raffle. Food will include barbecue, Debbi’s Best submarine sandwichs, tacos, hamburgers and brats, said Schmalz.
This year, MAMA has set up a shuttle service for the event. Laidlaw will provide the service in a loop that will run about every 15 to 20 minutes from the US Bank parking lot, to the Penn Center parking lot and to the Russell Stover employee parking lot. The service will run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“The event offers something for the entire family and we are really trying to cater to families,” said Messenger.
“I think it is a great opportunity to celebrate the holiday with family and friends,” she said.
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