Stokes Bay Summerfest 2007
Submitted by the Stokes Bay Community Centre

The 2007 Stokes Bay Summerfest started off on Friday night with the Summerfest Kruze Night hosted by Bob Smith at the Stokes Bay General Store. The vehicles ranged from a 1927 Ford to an 89 Mustang, as well as the 2005, 2006 and 2007 model Soapboxes. Once again this year, Ted Hayes brought his #51 Busch Car and also brought this year, the EPH Craftsman Truck. There were ten cars and nine Soapboxes on display. The winner of the Soapbox Show & Shine was Cart #8 with driver Josie Meilhausen and pusher Cassaundra Bridge.

In addition to the cars, The Central Peninsula SnoDrifters provided barbequed hamburgers, hot dogs and Oktoberfest sausage to over 100 people (in total, there were 152 assorted buns consumed). About 60 people stayed for the live entertainment around the campfire, of which there were still about 30 in attendance between 11:00 and 11:30 p.m. when we quit. Many thanks must go to Murray & Christine Hains, Gail Brinkman, Jim & Cindy Dixon and Jack Lewis for a memorable evening of music. All in all, an enjoyable evening was had by all except for the occasional uninvited mosquito.

Saturday started off overcast and threatening rain, and as much as we need a good soaking, the skies cleared to provide a hot, sunny day for the festivities. Everybody gathered at the Stokes Bay Community Centre for the Bike Parade to the General Store where once again there was a very good turnout for the 5th Annual Soapbox Derby. The participants were (in the 9 - 12 age class driver/pusher) Georgia McLay/Rachel McLay, Adam Rydell/Devan Swanton, Elijah Marcella/Micah Marcella, Benton Lancaster/Blake D'angelo, Josie Meilhausen/Cassaundra Bridge, Noah McLay/John Nuis, Conner Biernaskie/Virginia Biernaskie, Katelynn Smith/Nelson VanKlaveren, Chad Burley/Chelesea Burley and Zach Meilhausen/Jacob Dickson. The 13 - 16 age class consisted of Daniel Elliott/Cody Stute, Leah Swanton/Kelsey Rydell, Keith Lancaster/Tyley D'angelo and Nathan Henderson/Boyd McLay. Once the races were concluded and some medical attention was given to a couple of accident victims, trophies, hats and certificates were presented to the following winners (9 - 12) Champions Josie Meilhausen/Cassaundra Bridge; Reserve Champions Elijah Marcella/Micah Marcella; 1st Runners Up Noah McLay/John Nuis (13 - 16) Champions Nathan Henderson/Boyd Mclay; Reserve Champions Keith Lancaster/Brandon Lancaster and 1st Runners Up Daniel Elliott/Cody Stute.

Once back at the Community Centre, there was a Garage Sale table and Bob Zavatiz and his dedicated crew were serving a menu of Peameal on a Bun, Hamburger on a Bun, Hotdog on a Bun, Hot Beef on a Bun, Sausage on a Bun, "Old Smokie" Sausage on a Bun or a Bowl of Homemade Chili, with all of the usual condiments while inside Mary Dale Hewton and her staff were in the heat of things doing French Fries and serving pie, chocolate brownies and ice cream.

At the same time in the pavilion, the afternoon entertainment was underway with the melodic strains of Murray & Christine Hains, Bob Hellyer and John Northey, and the surprise appearance of The Mad Reefers Band of Bill, Al and Kevin with friend Roger and Kevin's wife Connie.

It appeared by the assorted array of games in the children's area that Melinda Spalding had spent weeks getting everything ready. The theme of the area was "It's a Jungle in Here." The games consisted of Zebra Zip, Snake Ring Fling, 'Gator Skuttle, Toucan Alley, Leopard Toss, Frog Eye Lob, Gorilla Gulp, Peanut Pitch, the Jungle Run and a Froggin' & Fishin' Pond besides having some tattoos for the boys, body art for the girls and a Jungle Candy Store where left over coupons or won tokens from the games and money from the Nickel Dig could be exchanged for candy.

A special thank-you has to go out to K.C. McLay, Georgia McLay, Kayla-Rose Clarke, Rachel McLay, Martha McLay, Brendan Robbins, Mary Robbins, Charlotte Martindale, Colette Sauve, Kelsey Shearer, Sara Collins, Sasha Collins, Melina-Jo Spalding, Kristun Spalding, Brady Spalding and Lannie Tigert for their tireless effort under the scorching sun in keeping the games running smoothly. Thanks also go to the Stokes Bay General Store, Melior Carpets, Colette Sauve, Melinda & Joe Spalding, Mary Dale Hewton and Martin Hogarth for their donations that turned the Nickel Dig into a virtual treasure trove of discovery. All of the names of the participants in the children's activities were placed in a hat (or something) for door prizes donated by Melina-Jo Spalding, and the winners were: Kailey Tigert, Cori Shearer, Cole Robbins and Spencer Wilson. The Jelly Bean Guess was won by Kyle Robbins.

Things quieted down for a bit between 6:00 & 8:00 p.m. allowing some to run home to refresh and catch their second wind before Dixon took the stage for an evening of dancing and hand clapping music. Thanks to Jim & Cindy Dixon, Jack Lewis, grant Haywood and Doug Dietrich. For the younger set, Kristun Spalding provided a mix music and Kareoke in the Community Centre.

The Stokes Bay Community Centre would like to thank everyone who helped throughout the day, all the generous businesses and people who donated various prizes, music and entertainment, and most importantly, THEIR TIME.

I would also like to apologize beforehand for any name that was missed. mlh