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Parade Still Grand in Spite of Rain
By Bernie Nguyen Contrary to tradition, it rained on the Lilac Festival's Grand Parade Sunday, June 18, but the parade's 76 entrants marched down Main Street from Mission Point, all showing Lilac dedication. Don "Duck" Andress led the parade, which stretched the length of downtown in musical and artistic splendor, along with Carl Andress, John Perrault, Tony Miron, and Heather Bazinau, who represented the Native American heritage of Mackinac. In addition to traditional floats and other marching entries, politicians Bart Stupak, Jason Allen, Gary McDowell and Clayton Graham also took part in the parade, braving the drizzle to wave at spectators gathering to enjoy the sights and sounds. The Mackinac Island Lilac Festival Queen and Court led the parade floats and won the prize for Best Float. Lilac Queen Melissa Bunker and Princess Keely Johnson rode on the float, which was a fairy-tale interpretation of Fort Mackinac's Blockhouse, accompanied by court members Emily St. Onge, Christina McLean, Kristi Kamphuis, Miranda McMahon, and Karlena Mosley.
The Stella King Memorial Award is given to the parade entry that receives the highest score. Mission Point Resort has won several other parade prizes in the past for its unique and creative entries. Mackinac State Historic Parks, which won the award for Best Parade Theme, also offered a float drawn from the book, choosing to reenact a scene that also tied in Fort Mackinac's newest exhibit, "Military Medicine at Fort Mackinac."
The bicycle entries, which included Orr Kids Bicycle Rentals, Mackinac Island Custom Cycles, and Mackinac Wheels, gave some fun and excitement to the atmosphere. Jamie Andress of Mackinac Wheels thrilled viewers with his bicycle tricks, in addition to other bicycle demonstrations that won Mackinac Wheels the best Bicycle Entry Award. There were several bands in the parade in addition to the numerous horse-drawn floats and walking entries, adding a musical flair to the gray skies that helped to raise spirits. Several bagpipe bands played Gaelic and Scottish airs as they marched to their drumbeats in full tartan costume, including the Sault Ste. Marie Pipe Band and the Glen Erin Pipe Band, which won the award for Best Musical Group. Fife and drum players from Fort Mackinac and the Corunna High School Marching Band, among others, led the musical way for the ever-popular Scottville Clown Band, which returned once again this year as the concluding entry in the parade and captured the Most Humorous Award. The all-male Clown Band, dressed in costumes ranging from cheerleaders to spirited university coordinated outfits, entertained the crowd with a selection of bright brass songs and played a free concert after the parade at Windermere Point, just as the sun broke through the clouds. Crowds gathered along Main Street in defiance of the gray skies, opting for umbrellas, ponchos, and shelter under storefront awnings to keep them dry while still allowing them a good view of the parade's celebrations. The parade was announced at four locations. John Findlay of Small Point Bed and Breakfast announced from Ste. Anne's Church, Terry Ray from WKPK, WKLT, and WSRT was stationed at Marquette Park, Terry Braverman of MSU announced at the Lilac Tree Hotel and Spa, and Bart Huthwaite announced from the judging stand at Lakeview Hotel. Judging, which was coordinated by Marie Steensma, rated each entry on a scale of one to 10 and took place from the second floor balcony of the Lakeview. This year's judges were Brian Cirner from Muskegon, Doug Seger and his daughter, Dawn, Vic Price and his daughter, Jessica, Christi Dupre, and Julie Rilenge. Lilac Festival Parade
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