Elks to host sixth annual July Fourth community picnic
By Scott Mitchell Johnson
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – For the sixth consecutive year, Presque Isle Elks Lodge 1954 will host a free picnic for the public at Riverside Park on July Fourth. Activities will begin at 10 a.m. In the event of rain, however, all activities will be postponed until Saturday, July 9.
Presque Isle Elks will be serving grilled hot dogs, hamburgers, potato chips, soft drinks, and ice cream to the public, all free of charge. A car show on Riverside Drive, musical entertainment in the park gazebo, Humvee rides, boat rides on the Presque Isle Stream, and children’s games with prizes awarded are planned again this year.
File photo/Scott Mitchell Johnson
PRESQUE ISLE ELKS LODGE 1954 will host a free picnic for the public at Riverside Park on July Fourth. Activities will begin at 10 a.m. In the event of rain, however, all activities will be postponed until Saturday, July 9. Club members will be serving grilled hot dogs, hamburgers, potato chips, soft drinks, and ice cream to the public, all free of charge. A car show on Riverside Drive, musical entertainment in the park gazebo, Humvee rides, boat rides on the Presque Isle Stream, and children’s games with prizes awarded are planned again this year.
The Elks will also have a bouncy hut for younger children and a dunking booth. The Presque Isle Fire Department will be conducting demonstrations of its equipment and techniques.
“It is an honor for the Elks to be able to annually host this increasingly popular community-wide event,” said Elks Exalted Ruler Ernest Lovely. “In doing so, the Elks seek to pay tribute to our wonderful country and the sacrifices of so many which have made this country great.
“As they contribute their time in putting on this event, Elks members get great satisfaction in all the smiles they see from the local people who so enjoy their attendance at this community picnic. This event perpetuates the Elks motto, ‘Elks care, Elks share,’” he said.
Riverside Drive will be closed to traffic throughout the day as it will be the site for the Elks’ annual July Fourth Car Show. This show will feature many interesting cars and trucks, including antique and classic cars, muscle cars, and cars of special interest, including new vehicles. As with all of the Elks’ July Fourth activities, there will be no registration fee for the car show. All entrants will receive a T-shirt and trophies will be awarded for each class, as well as a People’s Choice award.
Lovely said the Elks are looking forward to hosting the holiday celebration.
“We will be ready to serve hundreds of hamburgers and hotdogs and soft drinks to the entire public,” he said. “This is an opportunity for everyone in our city to participate in a community-wide event, to enjoy our wonderful park along the river, and to collectively celebrate everything that makes this county so great.”
Transportation, including transportation for wheelchair-bound individuals, to and from Riverside Park can be arranged by calling the Presque Isle Elks at 764-0985.
