Elks to host July Fourth festivities at Riverside Park

    The Presque Isle Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge 1954, is planning its third annual July 4th Community Celebration to be held at Riverside Park in Presque Isle from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Fourth of July.  Again this year, the July 4th celebration will feature a barbecue with hotdogs, hamburgers, soda and ice cream, all provided free of charge by the Elks. In addition, there will be a car show open to all entries, free boat rides on the Presque Isle Stream, games for children with prizes for all participants, a variety of live musical entertainment, a demonstration by the Presque Isle Fire Department and much more.
    Anyone who needs transportation for this event to Riverside Park in Presque Isle from the Presque Isle area may obtain a ride by calling the Lodge at 764-0985. Transportation for wheelchair-bound individuals will also be available.
    Mary Dickinson, exalted ruler of Presque Isle Lodge 1954, in announcing the event, said, “The Presque Isle Elks are so very proud to be able to honor our country by sponsoring this wonderful event for the community on the Fourth of July. This event both manifests virtues all Elks seek to maintain as well as furthering our motto, ‘Elks care, Elks share.’”
    “It is appropriate that all members of this community should have the opportunity to participate in this celebration, without any exclusion. In sponsoring this event, the Presque Isle Elks want everyone to be able to join in the celebration of our country’s birth and its wonderful achievements from which we all benefit. For this reason, the event, including the food, drinks, entertainment and prizes are all provided absolutely free and transportation is also provided without charge,” she said.
    Dickinson continued by stating, “All Elks hold sacred the virtues of fidelity, including loyalty to our country, and the virtue of charity, which often requires a sacrifice of ourselves for those less advantaged.  So many of our ancestors have made such huge sacrifices in order to allow us to enjoy the benefits from living in this great land. On July 4th, the Presque Isle Elks want everyone to remember those sacrifices, as we celebrate this great country, and to appreciate why this country deserves our utmost loyalty to the precepts established by our founding fathers.”
    Dickinson concluded, “Everyone in the area who has the time to join with the Elks at Riverside Park in Presque Isle on the Fourth of July is invited to participate in this community celebration. As in each of the previous years, everyone attending will have a lot of fun at no financial cost whatsoever. On the Fourth of July, the Elks honor our country and the sacrifices of others which make this country great by putting on this event free of charge.”
    In the event of rain, all events will be held Sunday, July 6.