Celebrate “Our Town” Fenton’s 175th Anniversary with a night of FAMILY FUN! Bring a picnic and enjoy FREE live entertainment, FREE 175 foot banana split (provided by Uncle Ray’s Dairyland), FREE children’s games, FREE bounce house, FREE popcorn, Fenton fire truck, FREE living history and MORE! [forgot your picnic dinner? buy your dinner from our food vendor on-site!]
175 ft. Banana Split:
This HUGE summer treat is sponsored by UNCLE RAY’s DAIRYLAND and will be served beginning at 7pm.
Entertainment includes:
Dibbleville Dolls, Bobby Standal, and The Groove Party!
Children’s Games sponsored by Kiwanis:
Individual and team games including tug of war, sack races, and more! Check back for registration information.
Living History:
Meet historic figures from Fenton’s past… courtesy of the Fenton Village Players. Civil War re-enactors will be on hand as well.
Special Guests:
Fenton Mayor Sue Osborn, Fenton 175th Queen Hannah Taylor and her Court, past Queens from our 150th, 125th and 100th celebrations.
~~ IF RAIN, EVENT WILL BE MOVED INSIDE THE ST. JOHN ACTIVITY CENTER GRAND HALL AND GYMNASIUM ~~
What: A Picnic with a FREE 175 foot banana split from Uncle Ray’s
Why: To Celebrate Fenton’s 175th Birthday
Start the picnic festivities at Bush Park around 5:00 PM and watch as workers and volunteers help Dave Durant and Todd Durant of Uncle Ray’s Dairyland assemble an incredible 175 foot banana split and share it FREE with community. The banana split eating should start around 7 :00 PM. This is going to something to see for sure!!
Fenton, Michigan is a thriving, beautiful small town and FentonSays.com strives to capture it to remember and share. This DVD collection is the first of it’s kind with 35 video productions from FentonSays.com. Experience the aftermath of the 2007 tornado, the start of the Burger Battle and Pizza Play-Offs, the Streets of Fenton series as well as a few Fenton business spotlights. If you enjoy Fenton, Michigan, you’ll enjoy this FentonSays 2007 video collection.
Get yours today as a souvenir or a gift for only $14.99 plus S&H!
Tickets for the “Our Town” Fenton - 175th Anniversary Kickoff Event - Queen’s Crowning and Dinner are NOW AVAILABLE! Tickets may be purchased at: Fenton City Hall, Fenton Area Chamber of Commerce, Little Professor Bookstore, Fenton Community and Cultural Center. Please check out our “event” page on Facebook for all the details! Hope to see you there.
175th Anniversary Kick-Off… Queen’s Crowning and Dinner
Saturday, February 21st, 2009
Fenton Community and Cultural Center
Fenton, MI
6pm - cocktails
7pm - dinner
8pm - entertainment and crowning of 175th Queen
TICKETS - $35
tickets will be available at the Fenton City Hall, Fenton Chamber of Commerce, Little Professor Book Store, Fenton Community and Cultural Center
CASH BAR
~~~ historic attire welcome ~~~
Friday, 12/5 5:30pm – 11pm YAC JingleJam for Teens Fenton Community & Cultural Center
$8.00 admission-Youth Advisory Council
Saturday, 12/6
All Day Holiday Shopping Participating Local Businesses
9am Fenton United Methodist Women Fenton United Methodist Church-Narthex
Annual Cookie Walk 9am until cookies run out
10am-4pm Santa Paws Pictures for Everyone Front of Fenton Community & Cultural Center
Sponsored by Animal Health Clinic
10am – 12pm Write a Letter to Santa Workshop Vision in Motions Dance Studio - Dibbleville
10am Rotary Tree Decorating Bush Park/Rotary Park
11am-4:30pm FREE Horse & Wagon Rides Pick-up Old Fire Hall
Sponsored by Tri-Point Credit Union & Temrowski Family Funeral Home
11am – 12:30 Lunch with Santa Fenton Community & Cultural Center
$5.00 Tickets available @ FC&CC
11am-3pm Firehouse Chili Cook-off Old Fire Hall-210 S. Leroy
11am-4pm Rock Band /Wii Bowling Fenton Community & Cultural Center Lower Level
Sponsored by Financial + Credit Union
12pm – 4 pm Entertainment @ Fenton Community & Cultural Center
Tyrone Covenant Presbyterian Church Choir 1-130pm Rachel Kahn & Patrick Perfitt 2:30-3:15
Sweet Adeline’s 1:30-2:30 Rob Bancroft & Friends 3:15-4:00
12pm – 3pm Family Christmas Craft Workshop Fenton United Methodist Church – Fellowship Hall
2pm – 4pm Write a Letter to Santa Workshop Vision in Motions Dance Studio – Dibbleville
12pm-8pm Almond Roasting Near Fenton Museum
1pm-5pm Mott Steelhead Drum Band Vek’s Parking Lot-Dibbleville Area
3pm JingleJog 5K Run Registration Old Fire Hall – 201 S. Leroy
5pm JingleJog Starts Sponsored by Financial + Credit Union
5pm – 7pm Free Hot Chocolate Visions in Motion Dance Studio – Dibbleville
4pm – 9pm S’mores Roast Fenton Community & Cultural Center Grounds
Sponsored by Boy Scout Troop 212
6pm Run Awards Presentation prior to parade On Grandstand front of Community Center
Results will be posted in Old Fire Hall
6 pm Evening Holiday Lighted Parade Downtown Fenton Community & Cultural Center
Sponsored by Dort Federal Credit Union
After Parade Pictures with Santa City Hall, refreshments served
Sponsored by City of Fenton Beautification
8pm – 11pm Night Jams Family Life Center – Fenton United Methodist Church
Featuring Oxygen 375-Freedom Center Band & Headliner Seven Glory $5.00 Admission
7:30 Vintners Sampling Party Vintners Cellar of Fenton
Sample Wine, Hot Chocolate & Fireside Coffee-Live Music by Mike Sneed & Jim Hamblin
Preview presentation shown at the 2008 Michigan Chamber Ambassadors Conference by the Fenton Regional Chamber Ambassadors, who will be hosting the conference in 2009 as a part of the city’s 175th anniversary.
This approximately eight minute photo montage set to music with voice-over is a well done overview of Fenton, Michigan. Get the overview of Fenton’s rich history! Learn how Fenton got it’s name, and how the main streets were named. See photos of the aftermath of the August 2007 tornado that struck downtown Fenton, Michigan. Experience some projects by the Fenton Area Chamber of Commerce.
Every year at the Fenton 4th of July Freedom Festival just after the parade, the Fenton Rotary holds the Rubber Ducky Regatta. This annual fundraiser for the community civic group has remained a fun highlight of Fenton’s annual celebration. See the rubber duckies start their dash to the cash with their race down the river by first falling over the Fenton millpond waterfall.
Freedom Festival Information
Brought to you by the Fenton Freedom Festival Committee with sponsorship by the Fenton Regional Chamber, City of Fenton, and Fenton DDA
Friday, July 4th, 2008
Schedule of Events
Thursday, July 3rd Kickoff Events 7:00 pm Silver Lake Ski Show at Silver Lake Park 8:00 pm Grand Marshal Adult Reception: Andy Schmidt at The Fenton Hotel Tavern & Grille
Dusk FREE Family Movie: Pink Panther 2006 at Fenton Community & Cultural Center Grounds, Sponsored by Fenton Lions Club
Friday, July 4th Community/Cultural Center & Gazebo Area 7:00-10:00 am Pancake Breakfast (American Legion #38) 8:00 am Ecumenical Sunrise Service at the Gazebo (Fenton Area Clergy) 8:00 am – 3:30 pm Arts – Crafts – Vendors 10:00 am Parade – rain or shine
Decorated Bike Parade (Fenton Optimist Club)
Float Judging (The Flint Journal) 11:00 am – until gone Chicken BBQ, hot dogs, brats, lemonade, chips & pop (Fenton Lions Club) Following the Parade 12:30 pm Rubber Ducky Regatta (Rotary Club)
Children’s Games Tent (Kiwanis Club)
Adopt-a-Pet of Fenton Entertainment 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm Bluegrass Music – “Amazing Grace”
Blackberry Creek Dancers
Fireman Water Battle Concessions
Hot dogs & pop at the Gazebo (Rotary Club)
Ice Cream Carts (K of C Council #7418)
Lemonade Stand (Fenton Area Amateur Radio Association) Other Activities 10:00 am – 3:00 pm Museum Open
FREE FLAGS (Fenton VFW Post #3243 & Ladies Auxiliary)
Pony Rides
Fenton Artist Guild Exhibit
Ground Maintenance (Boy Scouts of Fenton)
FIREWORKS
10:00 PM JULY 4TH
SILVER LAKE PARK
NO PARKING AT SILVER LAKE PARK
Nearly every Thursday evening at the gazebo near the Fenton Police Station, the City of Fenton hosts a concert in the park.
June 26, 2008 - Universal Xpression
July 10, 2008 - Magic Band
July 17, 2008 - The Fun Guys
July 24, 2008 - Rich Eddy’s Rockin’ Oldies
July 31, 2008 - Jake Reichbart
August schedule may be published at FentonSays.com at a later date.
What does a concert in the park look like? Here is a performance we found on YouTube from June 12th … a wonderful Elvis impersonator by the name of Leo Days:
The City of Fenton are warning its residents that they will begin enforcing the city regulations regarding the maximum size of garbage cans that can be used. Anyone using a garbage can larger than 32 gallons, or heaping their trash above the top of the can will be notified and eventually could have their garbage collection service stopped. The first violation will result in the resident getting a green notice sticker. The second violation will result in the receipt of an orange notice sticker. The third strike is a red notice sticker and the service to that residence will be stopped.
Fenton residents pay for garbage removal in their taxes. Additionally they are required to purchase a garbage tag costing $1.60. Putting two tags on an over-sized container is not sufficient, and residents found in violation will still face the escalating notice or stoppage of service. The City of Fenton says this is necessary due to a $14,000 shortfall in solid waste removal taxes and fees. Councilwoman Cheryl King puts the blame on both the City of Fenton and Waste Management for not enforcing these rules previously. “People got a free ride all these years,” King is quoted as saying in the Tri-County Times.
Times are tougher economically speaking here in Michigan, and thus in Fenton. Politicians will continue to find what they call revenue sources (we refer to them as taxes and fees because government does not really generate revenue) wherever they can. Without the power to decide what private sector company will provide services, the residents will never have the power or ability to use competition to affect change.
This is a quote from a Tri-County Times Hotline from the June 1, 2008 edition: “Here in Tyrone Township, we hire our own refuse collector. There are no green, orange or red warnings. If the collector is not doing their job, we fire and then hire a very willing competitor. Our collector always thanks us for our business, does yours?” Point noted. Relinquishing individual power to a governmental body for the sake of convenience can, and usual does eventually, lead to helplessness. Think about it. There is a case for collective bargaining power, however any time there is a structure that separates one’s own money from the decision maker (using Other People’s Money aka OPM), the best decisions get sacrificed for political expediency or personal gain on behalf of the decision maker. And is the City negotiating with Waste Management on the issue and using its inherent collective bargaining power or the power of competition? Not that the citizens can tell. It is easier to put the burden and costs on the residents. What a load of garbage.
Frustrations run higher each day the construction along Silver Lake Road progresses. Some feel the crew is working as quickly as they can; other FentonSays readers think things should be wrapped up sooner than we are lead to expect. Business owners along Silver Lake Road and making efforts to let local shoppers and customers know that they are still open for business. The Chamber of Commerce is working closely with these businesses as well to see how that organization might be able to lend a hand.
One FentonSays reader submitted the following:
“I would like to know why Silver Parkway construction will not be completed until November according to a source? This is ridiculous and a waste of tax payers money. This construction site usually does not work or seems to work at a “snails pace”. I am aware that road work usually milks the time it takes to complete the work in order to maintain more funding but when it affects other’s who is really benefiting? If the roads were “properly” done the first time meaningless days, week’s and months would not be needed to complete a job. I suppose everyone needs to create job security but it should not affect everyone else.” - Joseph
What do YOU think about the Silver Lake Road construction? Let us know with a comment to this article, on the Fenton Discussion Forums or with an email to admin@fentonsays.com.
O’Donnell Park is a one and a half acre park located on the corner of East Street and East Ellen Street across from Strom Park. It was named for Mark O’Donnell in honor of his service on the Fenton Parks & Recreation Board. The park is always open and has no entry fees. There is a picnic area and a wonderful deck with benches. It’s a great place to fish or feed the ducks and enjoy the beauty of a sunrise on the Millpond.
See the FentonSays.com O’Donnell Park video (below):
This is the fifth in the FentonSays.com Parks of Fenton video tour series. O’Donnell Park is a small park found on East Street and East Ellen Street in Fenton, Michigan. There is a picnic area, a nice size deck with benches, and ample room for fishing, feeding the ducks or enjoying the sunset.
Strom Park is a small park of .7 acres on South East Street near the East Street Bridge. The land for the park was purchased by the City of Fenton from Louis Parr Rector and Mary Strom on February 16, 1967. The park is always open and has no entry fees. There is a small boat launch, a small gazebo, a picnic area, and plenty of fishing.
See the FentonSays.com Strom Park video (below):
This is the forth in the FentonSays.com Parks of Fenton video tour series. Strom Park is a small park found on East Street and Shiawassee in Fenton, Michigan. There is a small boat launch, a small gazebo, a picnic area, and ample room for fishing.
Franklin D. Adams Park is a small, neighborhood park that is a little over an acre. The park was named after Franklin D. Adams who served on the Fenton City Council. The park is always open and has no entry fees. It is located at the corner of South Long Lake Road and Appletree Lane. There is a half court and basketball hoop, picnic area and a swing set.
See the FentonSays.com Franklin D. Adams Park video (below):
This is the third in the FentonSays.com Parks of Fenton video tour series. The Franklin D. Admas Park is found on South Long Lake Road and Appletree Lane. It is one of Fenton’s smaller parks. There is a half court and basketball hoop, picnic area, grill, park bench, rocking horses and a swing set.
Freedom Park is .35 acres small, but it is rich in history. It is Fenton’s first park and it is the place where during the Civil War Colonel William Matthew Fenton had the soldiers practice their drills. It was also the town square when Fenton was founded in 1834 and used to have a wooden bandstand where the Fenton City Band would perform. It is bordered by West Shiawassee Avenue, West Elizabeth Street and Park Street. The park is always open and has no entrance fees. There are several benches to relax on, a picnic area, a war memorial and a gazebo which was donated by Dennis and Gail Schaefer in memory of their fathers. The gazebo can be rented at the city offices. The fees are: Resident ($85 rental fee + $100 deposit = $185 total), Non-resident ($125 rental fee + $100 deposit = $225 total). The gazebos are rented in four hour time blocks (8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.).
See the FentonSays.com Fenton Freedom Park video (below):
This is the first in the FentonSays.com Parks of Fenton video tours. Fenton Freedom Park is a fairly small park found along Owen Road / Shiawasee Avenue. There is a seating area, several picnic tables, a gazebo and several memorials to enjoy.
Part Nine of “Streets of Fenton” video tour. This treat is a drive westbound on Silver Lake Road starting from the Leroy Street intersection until the majority of this major road construction in Fenton subsides near Steven’s Furniture. This is a three and a half minute ride down the road you don’t want to go down right now. This footage was taken on April 24, 2008.
Although the Fenton oriented resources here are free for
your use, your donation is greatly appreciated so that we may continue
to fund these projects.
The City of Fenton are warning its residents that they will begin enforcing the city regulations regarding the maximum size of garbage cans that can be used. Anyone using a garbage can larger than 32 gallons, or heaping their trash above the top of the can will be notified and eventually could have their garbage collection service stopped. The first violation will result in the resident getting a green notice sticker. The second violation will result in the receipt of an orange notice sticker. The third strike is a red notice sticker and the service to that residence will be stopped.
O’Donnell Park is a one and a half acre park located on the corner of East Street and East Ellen Street across from Strom Park. It was named for Mark O’Donnell in honor of his service on the Fenton Parks & Recreation Board. The park is always open and has no entry fees. There is a picnic area and a wonderful deck with benches. It’s a great place to fish or feed the ducks and enjoy the beauty of a sunrise on the Millpond.
Strom Park is a small park of .7 acres on South East Street near the East Street Bridge. The land for the park was purchased by the City of Fenton from Louis Parr Rector and Mary Strom on February 16, 1967. The park is always open and has no entry fees. There is a small boat launch, a small gazebo, a picnic area, and plenty of fishing.
Franklin D. Adams Park is a small, neighborhood park that is a little over an acre. The park was named after Franklin D. Adams who served on the Fenton City Council. The park is always open and has no entry fees. It is located at the corner of South Long Lake Road and Appletree Lane. There is a half court and basketball hoop, picnic area and a swing set.
Freedom Park is .35 acres small, but it is rich in history. It is Fenton’s first park and it is the place where during the Civil War Colonel William Matthew Fenton had the soldiers practice their drills. It was also the town square when Fenton was founded in 1834 and used to have a wooden bandstand where the Fenton City Band would perform. It is bordered by West Shiawassee Avenue, West Elizabeth Street and Park Street. The park is always open and has no entrance fees. There are several benches to relax on, a picnic area, a war memorial and a gazebo which was donated by Dennis and Gail Schaefer in memory of their fathers. The gazebo can be rented at the city offices. The fees are: Resident ($85 rental fee + $100 deposit = $185 total), Non-resident ($125 rental fee + $100 deposit = $225 total). The gazebos are rented in four hour time blocks (8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.).