Big time country band Sawyer Brown entertains at Posen Potato Festival
by Peter Jakey–Managing Editor
With the Sawyer Brown concert to kick off the 75th annual Posen Potato Festival (PPF) “it was an awesome weekend,” said Posen Chamber of Commerce president Andrea Konwinski.
From the patriotic floats in the grand parade celebrating the country’s 250th anniversary, music in the pavilions, two days of bump and run races, the variety of food down every street, including authentic Polish food, along with the large camping village, a good time was had by thousands.
According to Mike Romanowski, president/CEO of Blackwater NE LLC, approximately 3,500 people came out for the concert.
“It was great to see the community come out and enjoy an event like this. Our goal was to price it so it was affordable for everyone,” said Romanowski. “It was awesome to have a local band open up our very first show. This is only the beginning. We have other shows and community events planned, not everything is going to be concerts, (Christmas village, fall fest etc). Our plan is to put Posen on the map again.”
Bluegrass singer Hannah Marie Kelley even shot a music video here, he said.
“Great things are going to happen,” said Romanowski. “We want to thank the chamber for working with us and believing in the vision. I’m glad the other town missed out on this so Posen could benefit. The community has had nothing but open arms and they are all asking what’s next and how can we help.”
One of the biggest news items on festival Sunday was 106th State Rep. Cam Cavitt presenting Konwinski with a framed special tribute.
“Over the past 75 years, the PPF has grown from a local harvest celebration into one of northeast Michigan’s most recognizable annual events,” the tribute states. “While the festival has grown and changed over the years, its purpose remains rooted in celebrating the traditions, agriculture and Polish heritage that have shaped this community.”
The tribute, signed by Cavitt, Sen. Michelle Hoitenga, along with Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, saluted the dedicated volunteers and community members who work hard to carry the tradition forward.
“In special tribute, therefore, this document is signed and dedicated to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the PPF. We congratulate the people of Posen on this historic milestone and commend all those, past and present, whose dedication has made the PPF a proud northeast Michigan tradition for 75 years.”
During the annual opening ceremony at the flagpoles, Konwinski introduced chamber members and the parade grand marshals, RJ and Paulette Bordeau, who enjoyed their special weekend.
“It was a lot of fun and everyone was just so wonderful, congratulating us and thanking us for what we do in the community,” Paulette said. “It was just a great experience.”
After the parade, the couple was right back in a booth in the polka pavilion, selling drink tickets.
“Someone came up and said, ‘why are you working, you are parade marshals,’” she said. “I said, ‘that is why we are parade marshals.’ ”
With a heavy heart, Konwinski also acknowledged the passing of Mark Purol the day before during the opening ceremony and offered condolences to the Purol family.
The parade winners are as follows: most beautiful, Hemlock Hills on Mill Pond; most original, Posen robotics; best potato themed, Alpena Antique Tractor; best musical, Ernie Romel karaoke; best service organization, Posen Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7804; most humorous, Metz Blind Pig; and most patriotic 250th, the village of Posen.
