Elk Rapids Harbor Days 2012 August 1

Elk Rapids Harbor Days Association....PO Box 801....Elk Rapids, Michigan 49629....231-342-1058

If you would….
* like to know about what goes on behind the scenes at Harbor Days
* have some ideas that you’d like to see incorporated in Harbor Days
* like to see how you can get one of those cool yellow shirts
* like the low down on VIP seating at the parade and fireworks
* like to be a part of picking the movie in the park feature
* like to help pick the Grand Marshal
* like to vote on the button design winner

              COME TO OUR BOARD MEETING DEC. 10^TH 5:00 AT THE
                  ELK RAPIDS POLICE STATION CONFERENCE ROOM
          MEMBERS WILL VOTE ON THE 2013 DIRECTOR CONTRACT

Elk Rapids Harbor Days Association New/Renewal Membership Application
$10.00 annual dues payable to Elk Rapids Harbor Days Association
Mail to: P.O. Box 801 Elk Rapids, MI 49629
or drop off at the Elk Rapids Chamber of Commerce

Name: ________________________________________

Mailing Address: ________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

Phone Numbers:

_________________(home) __________________(cell)

E-Mail: _________________________________________________

I would be interested in helping with the following:

___Headquarters ___Information Booth

___Ad Sales/Sponsorships ___Logistics/Security

___Button Sales ___Parade Set-up

___Helping put the Guide together ___ Board Member

___Helping with a particular event - Please list the event(s) of interest:

____________________________________________
___________________________________________________

___ Not interested in volunteering at this time but as a member, keep me informed.

Harbor Days needs many, many volunteers to be successful.
If you could be of assistance, please fill out and submit the volunteer application.

Elk Rapids Harbor Days celebration has been a popular event in northern Michigan for over 50 years.
Families of all ages can enjoy the abundant activities provided throughout the 4-day event.

2011
Rated Best Small Town Festival of Northern Michigan
by MyNorth Media, publisher of Traverse, Northern Michigan's Magazine

2012
Rated Best Small Town Festival of Northern Michigan
by MyNorth Media, publisher of Traverse, Northern Michigan's Magazine

The entertainment begins on Wednesday evening with the much-anticipated Evening On River Street.
Enjoy a street fair atmosphere with a cornucopia of sights
and sounds to satisfy your appetite for food, music and entertainment.

The days following include activities geared to the young and old alike,
sandcastle building, outstanding musical entertainment, delicious food at the Community Dinner,
a carnival, Kids Day activities and so much more.

The Harbor Days celebration culminates on Saturday with a parade
down the streets of town with local dignitaries, floats, bands, and of course Miss Elk Rapids!

Enjoy the rest of the day participating in all of the events and
then wind down for the evening in time to watch the fireworks display.

Harbor Days is traditionally known to have one of the best fireworks displays in northern Michigan,
provided by world famous Zambelli's pyrotechnics.
Imagine relaxing on the beach or your boat after a busy day and watching the dazzling array of fireworks
lighting up the evening sky and reflecting into the water below.
Your donation will help keep the Harbor Days fireworks the best

Elk Rapids Harbor Days is a small town celebration with a big reputation in northern Michigan;
make it a part of your summer plans!

Events & Activities may include community dinner, paddlebuoy races,
harborun, parade, fireworks, cherry bake-off, diaper derby, toddler trot, Ballin' at the Bay,
pet show, pillo polo, sandcastle building, senior luncheon, senior bingo, carnival,
musical entertainment, movie in the park, kid's day, bake sale, dunk tank, kids waterball,
fireman's waterball, penny scramble, and more.

Gordon and Joan Converse were pleasantly surprised when they were announced
as the Elk Rapids Harbor Days 2012 Grand Marshalls during Wednesday Night on River Street.
As long time Elk Rapids residents, Gordon and Joan have been part of many Harbor Days,
and are very pleased to be honored with this designation.

Gordon and Joan married and moved to Elk Rapids in June of 1955.
They have worked, raised a family, and enjoyed this community ever since.
Daughter Connie and son Gordon Jr. are also residents of the area along with grandchildren
Kelly, Jeffrey Gordon, Tracey, Torrie, Kyle and Alex. They also have two great-grandchildren,
MaryJane and VeraLee.

Gordon, along with his brother Denny, founded Wanigan Corporation in 1957.
His business specialized in Custom Homes, Commercial structures and remodeling.
Some of the village’s most recognized buildings were built by Wanigan,
such as the Professional Building on River St., the former Elk River Inn and Elk River Motel,
the Specialty Silicone Fabricators building and the now Lutheran Church.
Gordon was recognized by the Home Builders Association with the Distinguished Builder award.
Wanigan was recently purchased by Connie Nault, his daughter, who is continuing to operate the business.

Joan played a very important role as secretary to the principal at Lakeland Elementary School for 20 years.
Hundreds of former students will recognize Mrs. Converse as the cheerful, efficient person
that called their parents and dealt with the various crisis that most elementary students have.
Former Superintendent, Elmer Peterman, commented on Joan’s efficiency and ability
to keep the office organized and running smoothly. Joan worked under several
principals and was an integral part of the school.

Gordon and Joan were very active in the Rotary Club – Gordon served as President
for several years and Joan was active in Rotary Anns.
(Remember when women could not be members of Rotary?)

Gordon was part of the original group that saw the vision of the current
Elk Rapids Harbor and did what it took to make it happen.
He has contributed hours of time and equipment and materials to the project from its inception
and is very proud of the facility it has become. “Gordon put a lot of time into this
project over the years and was a great asset to the process” said Jack Blesma, former Harbormaster.
Gordon has served on the Harbor Commission for so many years, no one seems to know when he started.
He recently retired from this position two years ago. Cheryl Werth, current Harbormaster,
says Gordon was the most supportive person she has worked with on the various projects
and she still continues to seek his valuable input.

Gordon and Joan spend their winters in Florida but return every summer to their home in Elk Rapids.
Gordon is an avid golfer and boater – Joan loves to cook.

The Converse family has grown up with Harbor Days as a major part of their
summer vacation for three generations and plan to continue the tradition.
The Elk Rapids Community is very fortunate to be represented by
Gordon and Joan as Grand Marshalls of Harbor Days 2012.

The Harbor Days Steering Committee is happy to announce that Pam Lein
created the winning design for the 2012 Harbor Days button. Pam's design was chosen from over a record 200 entries!
The Steering Committee (approximately 20 members) voted for their favorites without knowledge of who the artists were.

The buttons can be purchased at a variety of merchants and from our volunteers throughout the festival.
The cost is $2 and the buttons are used in place of admission fees for many of the festival events.
The proceeds from the sales support Harbor Days.
We congratulate Pam and know she will enjoy all of the "perks" that come with being our Harbor Days button artist.
We thank all who entered the contest.

Harbor Days needs many, many volunteers to be successful.
If you could be of assistance, please fill out and submit the volunteer application.