We weren't a bit surprised with all the phone calls we received these past few days from people disappointed that the Marinette-Menominee area has no Fourth of July fireworks.
We can appreciate their concern that something is missing from this holiday. Anyone who grew up here remembers how the cities of Marinette and Menominee used to alternate fireworks displays. Back when I was growing up, the Fourth of July festivities were called Homecoming, and they moved back and forth, Menominee one year, Marinette the next.
Oddly enough, when the fireworks were in Marinette - on Stephenson Island - my family went to the West End of Menominee, our mother's family home to watch them. I can recall standing near the Rio Vista Motel with friends and family to see the displays. When Menominee shot them off, we parked somewhere behind the Hotel Menominee to see the show. We sat in traffic for what seemed like hours and then had banana splits when we got home. I still want a banana split after fireworks. Traditions are lovely things; they bring us a sense of comfort and belonging.
We understand that it will feel like something that brings that sense of belonging - and sense of community - is missing this year.
But the truth is: Without fireworks, it will still be the Fourth of July. (As I write this, firecrackers and bottle rockets are being set off to the east and west of me. There is no doubt in my mind which holiday we are celebrating!)
We get the argument that there is a tenuous connection between logging and fireworks. But on the other hand, fireworks have always been part of Menominee's long-running Waterfront Festival and no one seems to complain about that. Quite the opposite!
We would be surprised if fireworks did not return on July 4, 2013. We hope they do, and we've made that suggestion to city officials.
What we ask area residents to do is give the Heritage Logging Festival a chance. From every angle, it looks to be very well organized. From what we have seen - from the schedule to the attractive, four-color marketing materials - this festival bears all the hallmarks of a quality event.
We're going to support it, give it a chance and we hope you will, too.
We can appreciate their concern that something is missing from this holiday. Anyone who grew up here remembers how the cities of Marinette and Menominee used to alternate fireworks displays. Back when I was growing up, the Fourth of July festivities were called Homecoming, and they moved back and forth, Menominee one year, Marinette the next.
Oddly enough, when the fireworks were in Marinette - on Stephenson Island - my family went to the West End of Menominee, our mother's family home to watch them. I can recall standing near the Rio Vista Motel with friends and family to see the displays. When Menominee shot them off, we parked somewhere behind the Hotel Menominee to see the show. We sat in traffic for what seemed like hours and then had banana splits when we got home. I still want a banana split after fireworks. Traditions are lovely things; they bring us a sense of comfort and belonging.
We understand that it will feel like something that brings that sense of belonging - and sense of community - is missing this year.
But the truth is: Without fireworks, it will still be the Fourth of July. (As I write this, firecrackers and bottle rockets are being set off to the east and west of me. There is no doubt in my mind which holiday we are celebrating!)
We get the argument that there is a tenuous connection between logging and fireworks. But on the other hand, fireworks have always been part of Menominee's long-running Waterfront Festival and no one seems to complain about that. Quite the opposite!
We would be surprised if fireworks did not return on July 4, 2013. We hope they do, and we've made that suggestion to city officials.
What we ask area residents to do is give the Heritage Logging Festival a chance. From every angle, it looks to be very well organized. From what we have seen - from the schedule to the attractive, four-color marketing materials - this festival bears all the hallmarks of a quality event.
We're going to support it, give it a chance and we hope you will, too.
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