Organizers Prepare for Annual Tradition — Fourth of July Weekend

Clawson’s are almost like a class reunion because the entire community shows up, said organizer Michael Pacquette.

Pacquette, 53, a Clawson resident for 15 years, said he is in charge of all the concessions and rides — and working at the Fourth of July festivities is a family tradition, he said. His four children, ages 14 to 23, and three grandchildren, ages 2 to 6, spend a lot of time at the park with him.

“My kids love it,” he said. “They definitely help out.”

Rides, games, music and at least a dozen and a half food vendors will greet visitors at City Park from 3-9 p.m. July 3 and from 10 a.m. until the fireworks at dusk July 4.

There is a $2 admission fee to the midway, where the rides and games are located. The fee includes some games of chance where everyone’s a winner.

“It’s part of our bylaws,” said Pacquette. “When you're doing a game of chance, you always get some prize.”

He said children will enjoy rides such as the spin-around cups, a mini-Ferris wheel, a train and a rocket.

Free activities for children of all ages include a rock-climbing wall, “water wars” with spring-loaded soaker guns and small race cars.

“I started bringing in musicians a couple of years ago,” Pacquette said. “The bands play for free. We’ll have Christian rock, top 40, a drum line that plays garbage cans” and other acts.

Pacquette continued, “We only allow a couple of stands of one type of food. And we don't just let someone off the street. We're picky."

He said all concessionaires are licensed food vendors with permits from the health department.

And what does he get out of the hours he spends on the committee, attending meetings year-round, sending out vendor applications and putting in three 12-hour days at the park during the Fourth of July weekend?

“I enjoy being around people,” Pacquette said. “I get to know the carnival people. I like talking with them, hearing their stories. They may have been in New Orleans yesterday, they’re in Clawson today and Indiana tomorrow."

The City Park celebration also features approximately 100 crafts booths, overseen by 30-year Clawson resident Maureen Hoeltzer. Hoeltzer, 54, has been a Clawson committee member for 15 years. "And I'm one of the newer members," she said.

She said the crafts booths are open “rain or shine” from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. July Fourth, offering a cross-section of jewelry, woodworking and metal garden art.

“I’m not a craftsperson myself; I just volunteer," Hoeltzer said. "But I love dealing with crafters. They’re so creative and such different personalities. It’s a fun way to start the Fourth.

“The crafters say that Clawson is one of their best shows,” she said. “They come year after year.”

Hoeltzer said she could use another volunteer to help organize that day. “The morning of the crafts exhibits, it's my husband and me running around,” she said. “We can use another body.”

It’s not too late to get a spot among the booths. The fee is now $80. The application deadline is Friday.

For more information on the crafts books, to register a booth or to volunteer to help organizers, contact Hoeltzer at 248-435-0232 or mhoeltzel@wideopenwest.com.

There will be pre-Fourth of July weekend events beginning this Saturday. Click for a full event schedule.