Michigan Sugar Festival

The Michigan Sugar Festival is an event that occurs one weekend in the middle of June each year. It is held in the village of Sebewaing, Michigan.

Purpose

The purpose of the festival is "To show the area's appreciation to the sugar industry which has purchased sugar beet crops from farmers and processed sugar here with local employees since 1902."^[1]

History

During a Chamber of Commerce meeting in early February 1965, then President Herb Gettel opened a discussion about having a sugar festival in Sebewaing, one of the four towns in which the Michigan Sugar Company had a factory. The town's newspaper editor Walt Rummel, Norman Schroeder, and Carl Hess went to the company's headquarters in Saginaw, Michigan to propose the idea. The idea was a hit, and on On March 4, 1965, the Sebewaing Chamber of Commerce voted to hold a Sebewaing Sugar Festival on July 2 and 3. It was the first major community celebration since the Sebewaing Centennial in 1953.^[1]

Events

The village park is the location for the midway, which has local vendors selling goods, along with carnival games and rides for all ages. There is also an entertainment tent, where bands perform and a dance is held on the first night of the festival. The main events are the crowning of the Sugar Queen Friday night, the Grand Parade on Saturday morning, and the Fireworks show Saturday night. In addition, there are tractor pulls and softball tournaments, among other events.^[2]

Sugar Queen

The Sugar Queen was once called "the sweetest girl in the world." She, along with a first and second runner up, are determined in June. To run for Sugar Queen you must be ages 18–23 and live for at least one year in one of the "21 counties in the state of Michigan in which sugar beets are grown." A general knowledge of sugar beets is recommended.^[3]

Previous Queens include: 1965 – Marry Ann Lacourse, 1966 – Judy Bollstetter, 1969- Karen Rummel, 1972 – Laura (Shetler) Witczak, 1977- Sharon Rase, 1980 – Lori Rase, 1983 – Deann Balash, 1984 – Debbie Smith, 1988 – Shelly Sieman, 1991 - Vickie Parrish, 1992 – Kristy Williamson, 1993 – Janna Gatton, 1994 – Nicole Longhini, 1996 – Leslie Donovan, 1997 - Sarah Zagata, 2001 – Amanda Kohl, 2006 – Erica Hoffman, 2007 – Samantha Bishop, 2010 – Dana Davidson, 2011 – Kelsey Prohaska, and 2012 – Taylor Janicek.

Fund-raising

Many local businesses give donations to put on the festival, and the Sebewaing Fire Department takes donations year round for their Fireworks show. Donation boxes can be found all around the area at local businesses.

References