Rosalie Currier 'Sturgis people working together have made good things happen," local historian Robert Hair stated in a letter read at the opening ceremony for Saturday's Experience Sturgis festival. |
Hair was talking about the past as well as the present. Sharon Matkin, an event co-organizer agreed that it was true of the festival. An opportunity to build community pride was a major goal of Experience Sturgis, Matkin said. "The merchants really stepped up to the plate," she said. There was optimism and hope in the air on Saturday, co-organizer Rebecca Reeg said. "We have a great town," she said. The festival had more than one focus. One was on the community's history. The other was the future. The festival featured walking tours of the city's history. Residents could also anticipate Fantail Brewing Company's arrival in a historical building. Every shop downtown offered something unique, no matter how many blocks away from the center of town. Central Meat Market was the farthest from the center of town, but the store was full. Meat cooked on a grill from Camburn Appliance drew attention. "I want some bacon just like the kind out front," one customer said. At Headlines Hair Design & Spa, stylists wore poodle skirts and pony tails. A 1950s bright-red muscle car in front of the shop welcomed customers to "Rock and Roll On In." At Jimi Jo's, children had the opportunity to learn how hard it used to be to crank out homemade ice cream. Free Church Park was the site of live music. Musician, Tom Garn of Sturgis, played for a small but appreciative audience. Closer to the middle of the business district, Mike's Pizza offered free samples of garlic bread. At McGrady Jewelers, there was a treasure dig and Scott Adams was the luckiest of all, pulling out a one-third karat diamond. In front of Willer's Shoes, Gary Neusbaum demonstrated the trade of a cobbler, laboriously sewing soles on a pair of shoes. Local banks also displayed community pride. At Century Bank and Trust, John Gilliland displayed a rare collection of coins which will be in the lobby the rest of this week. Sturgis Bank and Trust honored those who had served the country and Citizens Bank drew a crowd with a classic car show. St. John's Episcopal Church offered a high tea. There was some historical role-playing involved, too. Judge John Sturgis, an original settler, had some ancestors roving the streets. Dorothy Sturgis Persing, great-granddaughter of the judge, with Jackie Persing, great-great granddaughter, came to opening ceremonies. Jackie's brother, Dick Persing, was chosen to be the judge of the Ardillacy Sturgis biscuit bake-off. After tasting the eight entries, he summed up the experience, giving grandma the credit. "My biscuit gene showed up. I knew it was in there," Persing said. It was such an experience, Persing said, "my tongue is still spinning." Then Persing arrived at the pie-eating contest with grandchildren in tow. The Sturgis descendants didn't win, but they did eat most of an eight inch pumpkin pie, complete with whipped cream. At Open Door Gallery, the artists could hardly keep up with the children coming for silhouettes. And the streets, while not packed, were busy. "I haven't been downtown since the road construction started," one Fawn River Township resident said. "I don't even know what stores are down here any more." Joan Teadt of Sturgis was admiring the side walks and traffic islands. "I think they turned out great," she said. Mary Lou Falkenstein, Sturgis resident, and guide for walking tours loves the town's history and communicated it with enthusiasm. In spite of being dressed in pioneer woman garb in Saturday's unseasonably warm weather, she was pleased with the festival. Will this Experience be repeated? Possibly, as Matkin has been hearing from more who want a piece of the action next year. Rosalie Currier is a staff writer for the Journal. Contact her at currier@sturgisjournal.com. |
