Freedom Week begins Saturday
by John Morris

EAST TAWAS - A new festival, Tawas Bay Freedom Week, will begin Saturday, offering seven days of activities in the Tawases.

The festival is organized by Christopher and Farah Rose Eagal of Tawas Bay Center for the Arts.
“This whole week is about celebrating our freedoms that are not free,” Farah Eagal said. “It’s a family festival. There is something for everybody.”

Each day of the festival is a different theme and activities will center on each theme.

Freedom Week kicks off with “Freedom Ride” on Saturday at East Tawas Harbor Park from noon to 9 p.m.

Woody’s Cycle is host to a motorcycle judging contest at 1 p.m., followed by a blessing of the bikes at 2 p.m. Four area ministers, Pastor John Brock, the Rev. Daniel Cannon, the Rev. Fr. Joe Blasko and Pastor Rob Nordin will offer the blessings. Bike awards will be presented at 3:30.

The band “4 for the Road” will perform from noon to 2:30 p.m. “Grounded” will provide the musical entertainment from 5 to 6 p.m. Iosco Idol winner Chris Brewer will also perform during the afternoon.

New Hope Church in East Tawas will host a junior high dance from 7 to 9 p.m. Cost is $3 per person and student identification cards will be required for entry.

Sunday is the festival’s barbecue day at Tawas City Park from noon to 7 p.m. Eskers Tawas Bar will hold a barbecue fundraiser for Special Olympics and DragonHorse Studio is hosting a chicken “Barbecue Throwdown” competition.

“Freedom Speaks” is the theme for Monday at East Tawas Harbor Park.

Brandon Crossnoe will perform the opening ceremonies at 1 p.m. with patriotic music on his trumpet and will be followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by East Tawas Mayor Bruce Bolen. Local leaders and politicians will be give “soapbox” time to speak on what freedom means to them. Costumed characterizations and reading of the Constitution also will be held.

A Poetry Slam will begin at 3:30 p.m. and the Sunrise Harmony Chorus of Sweet Adelines will perform at 6:30.

Sunday is the festival’s barbecue day at Tawas City Park from noon to 7 p.m. Eskers Tawas Bar will hold a barbecue fundraiser for Special Olympics and DragonHorse Studio is hosting a chicken “Barbecue Throwdown” competition.

“Freedom Speaks” is the theme for Monday at East Tawas Harbor Park.

Brandon Crossnoe will perform the opening ceremonies at 1 p.m. with patriotic music on his trumpet and will be followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by East Tawas Mayor Bruce Bolen. Local leaders and politicians will be give “soapbox” time to speak on what freedom means to them. Costumed characterizations and reading of the Constitution also will be held.

A Poetry Slam will begin at 3:30 p.m. and the Sunrise Harmony Chorus of Sweet Adelines will perform at 6:30.

Tawas Community Concert Band will perform during its weekly Concert in the Park series at 7:30 p.m. at East Tawas City Park.

Tuesday is craft park in the park at East Tawas City Park. A 4-H gardening program by Master Gardener Karen Otwell begins at 10 a.m. Free child identification fingerprinting sponsored by Michigan Association of Police will start at noon as will children’s activities by Flower Girls Sandra Brugger and Connie Ecker. East Tawas Fire Department also will give demonstrations at noon. Jimbo the Clown will provide the entertainment at 2:30 p.m. Ongoing activities include the Northland Area Federal Credit Union Clown Troupe, Tawas Bay Artists craft booth and New Hope Church craft table.

Wednesday, July 9 is “Thank a Veteran for your Freedom Day” at East Tawas Harbor Park from noon to 9 p.m. with opening ceremonies of Reveille by Crossnoe. Local veterans will be honored and will speak on freedom, Operation Shoebox will be on site to collect items for the military troops serving overseas and military recruiters will also be on hand.

Music will be provided by Susan Thomas from 5 to 6 p.m. and by New Hope Praise Band from 7 to 9 p.m.

Thursday, July 10 is Holistic Health Day beginning at noon at East Tawas Harbor Park. A presentation on “Yoga is for You” will be offered by Annette Allore and Diane Ray of Ray of Hope will discuss the Berkshire method of pain management. St. Joseph Health System volunteers will offer free blood pressure checks. Tawas Point Lighthouse Friends will have an informational booth on “Health in the Park.”

Julie Freel of Huron Sports and Fitness will give two classes during the day. At noon, Freel will teach a class on “Pulse,” a cardio workout using a mini trampoline and at 4 p.m. will be a class on “Pi-Yo,” a combination of Pilates and Yoga.

Dr. Brian Horne will speak on “Freedom to Choose Health” at 3 p.m.

Native American Miss Margo will offer a drumming circle at 6 p.m. and music will be provided by the band “Anonymous” at 7:30.

Freedom Week ends on Friday, July 11 with “The Colors of Freedom” at East Tawas City Park. Those planning to attend are asked to wear red clothing to show support for soldiers. Tawas Bay Artists will hold an arts and crafts sale, works of local and regional artists will be exhibited from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and quilting, fiber, historic, and maritime art will be on display.