PORT HURON, MI — A smoky haze from Canadian wildfires hung over downtown Port Huron on July 15, prompting two hometown marching bands to cancel their appearances. Still, thousands of spectators lined Huron Avenue as the Rotary International Day Parade kicked off Boat Week.
Organized by the Rotary Club of Port Huron, the parade featured community organizations, businesses, dance groups, classic cars and floats celebrating this year’s theme, “Happy Birthday USA,” in honor of America’s 250th birthday. Despite the haze, the parade stretched for more than an hour.
Before the parade, organizers expected nearly full participation despite the smoky conditions.
“We’ll only have a couple of the antique cars that, because of the air quality, chose they couldn’t participate,” said Shelley Schudlich, a Rotary Club member since 1990.
The Port Huron High School and Port Huron Northern High School marching bands later withdrew because of the smoky conditions, becoming the parade’s most notable absences.
“I just think this is one of the best community parades you’ll find in southeastern Michigan,” Schudlich said. “The involvement, the enthusiasm every year.”
As participants waited for the parade to begin, Downtown Development Authority Director Lisa DeLong, who walked with the Set Sail for Autism group, summed up the mood.
“I think we’re ready to rock,” she said.
For Vicky Armstrong of Marysville, the smoky air meant missing one of her favorite traditions.
“It’s very unpleasant,” Armstrong said. “It’s sad. I heard the bands aren’t going to march because of it.”
Armstrong, who attends every year, said the marching bands are one of the main reasons she comes back.
Ashlee Spry, a Port Huron High School graduate now living in Clarkston, also missed seeing the bands.
“I was in the marching band,” Spry said. “We like to see who’s better.”
Instead, she looked forward to the dance groups.
“I used to be in the parade when I was in dance as well,” she said.
Her 5-year-old twins, Margot and Birdy, had different priorities: candy.
Jessica Murfin of Fort Gratiot said her family came to support their 7-year-old daughter, who danced with Extreme Dance.
“She’s got extra water, so hopefully she stays hydrated enough,” Murfin said. “Usually it’s rainy, but not too bad.”
Will Bailey said the smoke wasn’t going to keep him from cheering on his daughter.
“Absolutely,” Bailey said when asked if he was excited for the parade.
Bailey, who has asthma, acknowledged the conditions. “I mean, personally, I have asthma,” he said.
When told he was taking a risk by being there, Bailey laughed. “Absolutely. Hey, for my kids, I’ll take them risks, you know.”
Matt Graham, a member of the St. Clair County Dive Team Auxiliary, said the group came prepared after running out of candy last year.
“We got lots of candy,” Graham said. “The funny part is we ran out last year, so I brought extra candy. They brought extra candy. I think the person joining us brought extra candy. We tripled up.”
Another memorable entry came from the St. Clair County Library, where Andrew Kercher, branch manager of the Bookmobile and a local historian, joined a group of Benjamin Franklins.
“We’re excited to be with a dozen other Ben Franklins,” Kercher said. “He’s the library’s favorite founding father. He founded the library.”
Riding a motorized scooter around the drill team, Kercher smiled at the crowd.
“Where else are you going to see a Benjamin Franklin drill team than this parade?” he said.
As the final floats rolled down Huron Avenue, children compared handfuls of candy, families cheered for loved ones and participants waved through the smoky skies. While the haze altered parts of the evening, it wasn’t enough to keep the community from celebrating the start of another Boat Week.
Boat Week continues Thursday, July 16 as the Blue Water Festival opens in downtown Port Huron with food vendors, live entertainment and family activities along the riverfront.
Festivities continue through Saturday, July 18 before culminating with the start of the Bayview Mackinac Race, giving residents and visitors several more days to celebrate one of the community’s signature summer traditions.
Contact reporter Andy Jeffrey ajeffrey@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Rotary parade kicks off Boat Week despite smoky skies in Port Huron
Reporting by Andy Jeffrey, Port Huron Times Herald / Port Huron Times Herald
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Andy Jeffrey, Port Huron Times Herald | USA TODAY Network
