The St. Johns Mint Festival: An annual tradition
Because of a lot of hard work and dedication, each year we are able to showcase our community to thousands of visitors during the Mint Festival weekend. Drive through town and you will see a lot of yards freshly mowed, the streets are spiffed up and some folks will even have an old Mint Festival flag flying.
There is something for everyone in the family at the festival. There will be shopping for moms and dads at the Arts and Crafts and Flea Market booths and at the many garage sales around town. Kids will have .25 games, carnival rides and inflatables, pony rides, miniature golf and bubble Funz. And there are sports tournaments, a quilt show, photo contest, car shows, many hours of free entertainment, a Jeep Event with Optional Obstacle Course, an IPRA Professional Rodeo and a High School Rodeo.
New this year are Dog Shows on Saturday and Sunday.
Organizers are extremely proud of the festival and everyone that works to make it happen. They hope everyone will take the time to visit the Mint Festival and invite your family and friends to do the same.
Plan ahead: Grand Mint Parade route
The Grand Mint Parade will step off on Saturday, August 11 at 10:00 am. The theme for this year’s parade is “Rock and Roll”. Line up for the parade is at Oakview South Elementary School off Townsend Road. The parade will proceed north on Clinton Avenue, west on Oak Street, north on Lansing Street, east on Sturgis Street, north on Oakland Street, west on M21 and then north on Clinton Avenue. Noted as one of Mid-Michigan’s largest parades, thousands will line the sidewalks and lawns to view the beautiful entries.
The festival committee reminds everyone that Safety is most important, so they ask that children and adults stay on or behind the curbs. There will be many walkers throughout the parade who will approach you with candy or other items. Do Not run into the street to pick up candy. An approaching vehicle or horse may not be able to stop in time.
Don’t miss National Night Out August 7
Rock and Roll Pageant kicks off Annual St. Johns Mint Festival
On Tuesday, August 7 festivities for the 34th Annual St. Johns Mint Festival will begin with the Mint Pageant at the St. Johns High School. The pageant will start at 7:00 p.m. with general seating tickets $8.50 each. Tickets are available at the Chamber of Commerce office and if any seats are remaining they will be for sale outside the auditorium Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. Contestants participating this year include:
For Little Miss Mint:
Alexandria Gunnell, 10; Avelyn Rose Johnson, 8; Miaya Krieve, 8; Dianna Manas, 10 and Bella Payment, 8.
For Junior Miss Mint:
Katie Rozen, 12; Abbie Sage, 14 and Lauren Schafer, 14
For Mint Queen:
Anna George, 17; Morgan Leavitt, 17 and Olivia Maurer, 18
Capitol City Chordsmen bring harmony to Concert in the Park
An award-winning barbershop harmony chorus entertains guests August 8 at the William E. Tennant Performance Shell when the Capitol City Chordsmen take the stage in the St. Johns Concert in the Park summer music series. There is no admission charge to the 7 p.m. show at the lovely outdoor venue located at the St. Johns City Park in St. Johns.
The Lansing chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society (The Capitol City Chordsmen) has provided the characteristics four-part barbershop harmony sound to the mid-Michigan area for over 75 years. The award-winning chorus has delighted audiences with its consistent community performances and the annual show which has hosted the best of barbershop harmony including 24 international Quartet Champions. Past performances include the Wharton Center for the Performing Arts, Grand Ledge Opera House and Sparrow Hospital Cancer Survivor Luncheon along with many other shows in the mid-Michigan area.
Concert in the Park is sponsored by the Clinton County Arts Council and the City of St. Johns with support from the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts. Concerts are held each Wednesday evening; rain or shine. The St. Johns Lions and Lioness Club staff a concession stand offering light refreshments.
For detailed information on the Concert in the Park series visit the CCAC web site, http://www.clintoncountyarts.org/ and check out the William E. Tennant Performance Shell page on Facebook.
Annual 4-H Fair a perennial hit
by Maralyn Fink
On Wednesday afternoon I stopped at the 4H Fair. I walked around and visited then decided I needed to snap some photos. Hope you enjoy these and that you made it up to the Fair.
We have talented young people in their homemade things as well as all the livestock they raise. I was most thankful that it was nice weather and not 90 degrees as we have seen in the past for all concerned.
Museum features special exhibits during August
During the month of August handmade quilts, some from the 1800’s will be on display in the Paine-Gillam-Scott House. Quilters from previous centuries are considered Artists for their unique designs and hand stitching of quilts. Many quilts were made by the homemaker from scraps of old garments, household linens and flour sacks. Sometimes, groups of women from townships, churches or groups of families and friends gathered to make these quilts. Join the volunteers to learn more about the quilts on display.
The 2018 featured exhibit honors those brave young Clinton County men who fought and died in World War One. Many photographs, artifacts from the war, a WWI Army uniform and documents are featured in the display. Group tours and individual tours are welcome.
Clinton County Historical Museum-Paine Gillam Scott House, Swegles General Store and the Carriage House are open Wednesdays 2:00 pm to 6:30 p.m. and Sundays 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Our address is 106 Maple St. west of the courthouse in St. Johns, MI. For more information contact us at 989-224-2894, email PGSmuseum@gmail.com. Visit the webpage, PGSmuseum.com and Facebook, Paine-Gillam-Scott Museum.