St. Clair Shores

Fun Fest returns to promote the area's vital services, businesses

By Julie Snyder
C & G Staff Writer

ST. CLAIR SHORES — The Lac Ste. Claire Kiwanis Club is bringing a festival back to St. Clair Shores that not only showcases local businesses, but also puts a spotlight on some of the area’s most successful service organizations.

Kiwanis President Bryan Mazey said the second annual Fun Fest and Appreciation Day, which will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, at Lakeview High School, will showcase the city, Macomb County and “those agencies that provide services to the community.”

“We’re encouraging our sponsors to invite special needs kids and their families, caregivers and guardians,” said Mazey. “The idea is to showcase what’s available here.”       


People and groups of particular interest are special needs children, focus groups, learning institutions, city and county departments, and government officials.

Last year’s Fun Fest was held at South Lake High School and was participated in by some 45 civic groups and nonprofit organizations.

The same is expected this year, with those on site offering information about their business or service with special giveaways or special events throughout the day.

“Like, the Lions Club will be giving sight tests, and the Optimist Club will be promoting their Rapid Search Program,” said Mazey.

“I’m expecting we’ll have over 1,000 kids there.”

The St. Clair Shores Fire Department will have an engine available for the curious youngsters to see up-close, and there will be a smoke house that teaches children about fire safety and how to react in the event of a blaze. The St. Clair Shores Police Department will have its K-9 unit available for demonstrations.

An opening ceremony will be conducted by the Vietnam Vets Honor Guard Post 154 and Little Miss St. Clair Shores Hanna Dell will sing the national anthem.

Children will be able to enjoy a moonwalk and slide, carnival-style games, a kite drawing contest and a kite flying contest, a Special Olympics competition and entertainment by the Roseville Caring Clowns.

First Impressions Farm will be offering therapeutic horseback riding; there will also be a petting zoo, and ice cream and popcorn.

Representative from CARE (Community Assessment Referral and Education) of Macomb will be on hand. Wigs 4 Kids, Kids on the Go, the Shores Area Jaycees, Special Olympics, and the local anti-drug and alcohol coalition SNAP (Shores Network for Action and Prevention) will also be there.

Some of the 80 sponsors, such as Walgreens, Burger King, Tubby’s, and Woods Trophies, will have their own giveaways as well, he said.

Money raised from Fun Fest goes directly back to local children’s charities, said Mazey, adding that $6,500 was grossed in 2009.

“It was really successful. We want this to become an annual thing.”

Tim’s Bike Shop on Jefferson is returning to Fun Fest this year to host skateboarding competitions; participants will have a chance to win a bicycle and a skateboard. There will also be two drawings to win a bike.

Owner Tim Focht, who has been in business in St. Clair Shores for 10 years now, said last year’s skateboarding competition was a big hit for both participants and spectators. This year, there will be a quarter-pipe contest, a grind rails competition and a “fun box” contest.

“It’s a great way to promote the city,” Focht said of Fun Fest, during which a few tidbits about bicycle and skateboarding safety will also be provided. “It’s something good for the entire community.”

Lakeview High School is located at 21100 11 Mile. For more information or to become a sponsor at Fun Fest, call Bryan Mazey at (586) 255-6616.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Julie Snyder at jsnyder@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1039.