Summer started off with a bang in Genesee County as several communities celebrated the season with festivals, including the Grand Blanc Family Fun Fest, Linden Mill Days and Flushing Summer Fest. All of the festivals were held on the same weekend in June, where people of all ages enjoyed music, parades and yummy fair food while the excited screams of children could be heard from carnival rides that took them high into the sky. Because the weather was hot and humid, ice cold bottles of water were handed out to festival goers who appeared to be melting in the heat. Later, thrilling fireworks set the night sky ablaze in all of the communities.
“It was the best fest ever!” exclaimed Jet Kilmer, President of the Grand Blanc Chamber of Commerce, about their seventh annual Fun Fest. “We had more people come out each day of the festival than last year.” Approximately 38,000 people attended the four-day event, which featured carnival rides, games, live entertainment, a car show, fireworks, and food vendors. The food vendors included popular restaurant chains such as Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Big Boy, NYNY Pizza, Panera Bread, Qdoba Mexican Grill, and Subway. The children’s Superhero and Princess Parade was a highlight, with about 150 costumed participants gracing the fair with their presence.
Planning of the Chamber festival begins early in the spring, and many volunteers help to make it a success. “We owe our volunteers a huge thank you,” Jet said. “We count on them.” Gratitude also goes to the festival sponsors, especially the presenting sponsor, Grand Blanc View, as well as the Fireworks Sponsor, D.M. Burr Heating & Cooling. Jet says she is so thankful for the sponsors’ unwavering devotion to supporting this community event, saying, “They keep coming back year after year.”
PHOTOS BY TRACI TURNER
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