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Show Volume XXIII Issue XII The Ogden Valley news Page 11 July 15, 2016 Volunteers Make Huntsville’s Independence Day Celebration Possible By Alane White If you celebrated Independence Day in Huntsville this year, you likely enjoyed the foot race, parade, entertainment, food and fireworks. But did you know that all of these things were made possible by unpaid volunteers? Weeks ahead of the big day, local residents prepare by heading up committees that coordinate all of the activities for the fourth. Over 120 volunteers donate their time and over 600 hours are donated on July 4 alone. Ever tried cooking breakfast for 3,000 people? Mike Engstrom has done it six years running. He purchased and served 6,400 eggs, 5,900 sausage links, 3,750 pancakes, and 120 gallons of orange juice. Monte Stewart, working as “grill master,” picks up, cleans and returns all of the grills for the breakfast and lunch in the park. “There were over 400 man hours donated for the breakfast effort alone,” says Engstrom. Consider figuring out where to park hundreds of cars in and around residential neighborhoods. Rex Harris took on that job this year. He and his volunteers placed cones, tape, and signs days before the event. They provided direction for the thousands of spectators who needed to park in town. The day’s flag duties are generously provided by Huntsville native Doug Allen. He makes sure Old Glory is properly displayed and presented at the opening and closing ceremonies at the park. He also coordinates the color guard for the parade. Our Town Council was able to make an appearance in the parade thanks to Serena Stewart and her custom-built parade float. It was a pedal boat on our very own lake with a mountain as the backdrop. As you wandered through the food and information booths, did you notice the variety and placement? Probably not, but Wendy McKay considers all of this when vetting potential vendors for our celebration. Inexpensive booth fees allow local groups to raise money for their teams, families and non-profits while providing food and fun for hungry families. Additionally, Tad and Jennifer Judd coordinated all of the volunteers needed to sell drinks and frozen treats from the park ice shack. When celebrating the fourthb do you remind your children of the reason behind it? Do they understand the significance of the freedoms we enjoy and the sacrifices of those who made these freedoms possible? Cathy and Carol Stoker try to instill a sense of appreciation with their annual essay contest. Entrants are asked to write a patriotic essay on the theme of the year. The essays are read during the mid-day patriotic program, which includes a patriotic slide show curated by Jenny Songer with narration written by Bruce Ahlstrom and performed by local residents. A big part of the day is the entertainment provided at the stage in the park. Entertainers are retained and scheduled by Marilyn Froerer. A highlight for many is the music and dancing prior to the fireworks and it’s her team that makes that a reality. What would the Fourth of July be without fireworks? Huntsville resident Brian Clapperton obtained his Fireworks Operator’s license so that he could provide the annual display for the thousands of spectators in the park. He acquires the shells and creatively orders them in the firing tubes to make a spectacular viewing experience for park revelers. The powerhouse organizer behind all of these great citizens and the one who coordinates all of their efforts so that everything runs smoothly is our tireless Events Coordinator Star Primm. She willingly and enthusiastically wrangles everyone’s efforts into an organized and enjoyable celebration. She’s been celebrating the Fourth in Huntsville since she was a toddler, and has a keen understanding of what makes it special for those who attend. It’s her pride in Huntsville and her love of country that motivate her to take on this enormous task. “I just feel like there are so many people who do so much for our town. The reason I agreed to do it is because I love the Fourth and I have so many great memories of celebrating it here with my family,” says Primm. Huntsville Town Celebrates America the Beautiful was especially poignant given the recent passing of Huntsville’s iconic residents Opal May Huntsville Town once again brought big- and Harold Probasco. Harold’s tractors have town patriotic spirit to the Valley and enthu- been fixtures in Huntsville’s Independence Day siasm to their small-town on July 4. The parade for decades. It seemed a fitting tribute day started off with Huntsville’s traditional from a family that so perfectly demonstrates breakfast in the park. Mike Engstrom and his community values. Many families and organizations entered tireless and cheerful volunteers served over 3,000 breakfasts. This year’s theme, “America their creative floats in the parade. Three prizes the Beautiful,” was showcased throughout the were awarded. The Grand Prize and seventyday’s festivities beginning with the Rob Burton five dollars was given to the Marlin and Kathy Memorial 10K, 5K, and 1-mile race. The top Jensen family for their entry “We Love Our 10K finishers were Huntsville resident Zachery National Parks.” It featured a Mount Rushmore Jenkins, clocking in at 34:37. The first-place with the faces of four handsome boys beamfinisher in the 5K race was Travis Feeny of ing through the iconic landmark. The Jensens Ogden. Hayden Carlson ran the 1-mile race have thirty grandchildren and have been in the in 7:52. The top 10K runner was Huntsville Huntsville Independence Day Parade for thirty resident Zachary Jenkins clocking in at 34:37. years running. The Most Patriotic prize was awarded to the The first-place finisher in the 5K race was Travis Feeny of Ogden. Hayden Carlson ran Thompson family for their float highlighting the one-mile race in 7:52. Top female racers of the Statue of Liberty. The Most Creative award the day were Olivia Brown crossing the 10K was granted to Leo Christensen and family for finish line in 36:06. The 5K female winner was their decorated 1952 F1 pick-up. Huntsville held its traditional patriotic proSarah Feeny, and Kennedi Harrison completed gram. The event included a group sing-a-long the mile in 9:49. During the flag-raising ceremony, local res- led by Suzanne Ferre. The winners of the yearly ident Blake Bingham spoke passionately about patriotic essay contest were announced. First the sacrifices and risks made by our founding place winner in the twelve and under group for fathers in their pursuit of liberty. He reminded the second year in a row was Andrew Harris. those assembled that had the patriots’ efforts Rowan Alexander received the second place failed, they likely would have been executed prize and Maclaren Alexander was given third for treason. The importance of the freedoms place honors. In the over-thirteen category, Sophie they preP r i m m served for took first us cannot place. Cash be overprizes went stated. He to the winended his ners. The remarks audience with a enjoyed quote from the patriThomas otic play Jefferson, written “Let the by Bruce a n n u a l Ahlstrom return of and perthis day formed by forever refresh our Huntsville parade grand prize winner the Marlin and Kathy Jensen local residents. r e c o l l e c - family of Middle Fork. Local talent performed musical numbers, tions of these rights, and an undiminished devotion to them.” The crowd watched in reverent and families enjoyed the annual hypnotist anticipation as the flag was unfolded and raised performance followed by dancing in the park. Huntsville native Doug Allen presided over to the sky. The parade, sponsored by Wasatch Peaks the retirement of colors. He acknowledged the Credit Union, was led out by the color guard. sacrifices of our ancestors as well as the devoThe crowd was brought to attention by the rous- tion of our present-day public servants and ing music of the Ben Lomond Bagpipe Corps volunteers. Clear and windless skies made the perfect led by K.C. McMillan. Police, fire, sheriff, and town council members were showcased, and backdrop for a spectacular fireworks display many children enjoyed pedaling their decorated generously sponsored by Zions Bank. It was an bicycles along the parade route. The crowd espe- ideal ending to a day filled with appreciation cially enjoyed the 15 antique tractors driven by for the freedoms we enjoy and the beauty of the the Probasco family. This part of the procession country in which we live. By Alane White ARTFULLY UNITING EXTRAORDINARY PROPERTIES WITH EXTRAORDINARY LIVES WAKE UP EVERY MORNING TO THIS VIEW INTRODUCING SUNDANCE RIDGE Only3 4homesites homesites remaining available Only Prices start at $199,000 Protective Covenants Water and Electric Stubbed to lots Located on Old Snowbasin Road overlooking Snowbasin Ski Resort and Ogden Valley LOCAL KNOWLEDGE | GLOBAL REACH LISA KARAM 801.791.8801 “Your Guide to Ogden Valley Real Estate” Lisa.Karam@SothebysRealty.com Visit OgdenValleyRealEstateGuide.com to view all of my listings. Information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. Square footage is an estimate only. |
