On Saturday, July 4, the Presque Isle Elks, Lodge #1954, will host its 10th consecutive July 4th Community Celebration at Riverside Park in Presque Isle, and the community is invited to take part.
This year’s festivities will kick off at 11 a.m. There will be grilled hot dogs and hamburgers served from 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., along with soft drinks, chips, watermelon, cotton candy, popcorn and shaved ice, all free of charge to the public.
Presque Isle Elks Exalted Ruler Alan Harding said, “The Presque Isle Elks, Lodge #1954, are proud to host their 10th annual July 4th community celebration. Area residents have come to look forward to the celebration, as with all other Elks’ community events.
“For young parents,” he continued, “it is a fun and entertaining event,which the entire family can enjoy without spending anything except for the cost to get to Riverside Drive in Presque Isle. Older area residents enjoy the event for the opportunity to see friends, old and new, to socialize, to listen to musicians while watching children having fun competing in the various contests, and to see cars that may remind them of pleasant memories from the past.”
Riverside Drive will be closed that day in order to accommodate the Elks’ annual car show. An abundance of parking for the event will be available in the parking lot east of Riverside Drive and the courthouse. This parking area will be accessible from both Riverside Drive and Chapman Street.
The car show is always a popular event. Registration will begin at 10 a.m. and is free. In addition, participating car owners will receive commemorative gifts. Trophies will be presented for each class, including muscle cars, antique cars, classic cars and cars of special interest. Trophies will also be presented for the people’s choice award and the best in the show.
There will be even more games and contests for children this year, with prizes for all contestants. Bounce houses for children under 11 will also be available.
The Elks’ ever-popular dunking booth has been refurbished and will return to the July 4th celebration to afford picnic-goers an opportunity to demonstrate their throwing skills to send an individual to the chilly waters of the dunking booth.
A variety of musicians, including Nelson Michaud from “Centerline,” Wendell Hudson, formerly of the “Mustangs,” Peter Parker, James “Sheldon” Wright, Leland Clark, Simon Clair and many others, will be playing in the gazebo at the park for picnickers who wish to relax and enjoy the sounds of the day.
Boat rides on the Presque Isle Stream will also be available, provided the water level of the stream is adequate on that day. All activities are without charge.
All military veterans will be given special recognition and an expression of gratitude for their service from the Presque Isle Elks during the event.
“Because everyone enjoys their time at the Elks’ July 4th community celebration, they look forward to this event and seem to bring another family member or friend with them each succeeding year. It is a joy for members to host this event, which requires a lot of hard work to ensure that everyone has a good time and that the celebration will always be this community’s most widely-attended, totally free event every year.”
