Clawson

Clawson makes nice with winter

By Heidi Roman
C & G Staff Writer

CLAWSON — Clawson is going to heat things up downtown, no matter what Mother Nature has in store for the rest of the season.

The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is planning a first-time event, Fire and Spice…and Everything Nice! for Feb. 18.

The event will include a bonfire, marshmallow drop, chili cook-off and craft projects to benefit location organizations.

“This is part of Random Acts of Kindness Week,” said DDA Executive Director Joan Horton. “We have always done something with a charitable or giving aspect during Random Acts of Kindness Week. One year we raised money for the Michigan National Guard. Last year we were able to give money to the Clawson Goodfellows. But this is the premier for Fire and Spice.”

The event will be noon-4 p.m. in a heated outdoor tent on 14 Mile Road, west of Main Street.

“The Clawson Fire Department will be helping out by raising a huge net of marshmallows at 1 p.m.,” Horton said. “They will open the net and the kids have to scramble to find the colored ones to get prizes. Wunderground (Magic Shop) is sponsoring that.”

Kids will also get prizes for collecting the most marshmallows.

A bonfire will be blazing to keep guests warm, and s’more treats will be toasted over the flames. Chainsaw artists will provide demonstrations of woodcarving.

“We have kids crafts and activities,” Horton said. “Funny enough, they all involve marshmallows, because it seems like we’re going to have plenty of them.”

The organizations benefiting from the chili cook-off include the Make A Wish Foundation, the Clawson Lions Club and the Clawson High School Band.

“We are engaging civic groups and restaurants in the downtown Clawson area to join us in a competition, a chili cook-off, and the proceeds from their sales will be going to a charity of their choosing,” said Gary Fryatt, owner of Laundry Palace, who is organizing and sponsoring the cook-off. “We’ll be offering samples of the chili as well as serving sizes of the chili for sale during the event.”

Guests can purchase tickets at the event to redeem for the chili of their choosing. Those who attend will be able to cast a vote for their favorite recipe.

“There is a trophy that will go to the winner, as voted by the public, and bragging rights to go with it,” Fryatt said.

The trophy will be engraved with the winner’s name each year if the event becomes an annual affair.

Fryatt said he had commitments from six groups to compete in the cook-off by press time, with other groups in talks to join.

Fire and Spice…and Everything Nice! will be noon-4 p.m. on 14 Mile Road, in front of Clawson Shoe Service, west of Main Street.
 

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Heidi Roman at hroman@candgnews.com or at (586)218-5006.