Greenland welcomes region for celebration

GREENLAND TOWNSHIP - Residents from Greenland and surrounding communities gathered at Stenson Park on Saturday to celebrate the independence of America.

Greenland's Forth of July committee coordinators, Sue Turin and Trisha Mcintyre, organized the event so anybody can participate.

"It's open to everybody," Turin said. "It's not just a community event."

The festivities started with a walk, roll or run followed by cornhole tournament and a kickball game which had eight teams vying for the top trophy.

Chaz Werth, wearing American flag designed bib-overall shorts with boots, said some people are very competitive, but he is not concerned about winning.

"I'm just here to have fun," he said, admitting to a little friendly rivalry against one of the teams.

"We all get mad at each other, then whoever wins we're mad at them," he said. "Later on in the night we'll probably all go out and have a few beers together."

Korean War veteran Eli Isotalo said there is a lot of support for the celebrations from neighboring towns.

Everybody kind-of comes together and makes a big community out of it," he said.

Isotalo said America has divisions among groups and people, but he stressed the importance of standing and working together.

"We have a county here that has freedom and liberty," he said.

Parade Marshal Nancy Withrow was chauffeured down Plank Road by Brandon Benda driving a convertible Mercedes Benz

Her family has lived in Greenland for generations and she has been active within the community for several years.

"I used to be involved in the doings from the beginning," she said as her ride eased into parade position.

Jenna Jolliff, Great Lakes Rodeo Princess, stroked her horse Macy gently as she coaxed her to the street. The horse nuzzled Jolliff's arm and nibbled at her bracelet - causing it to break. Jolliff said she knows Macy is sassy.

As the parade made its way down the road, children darted out onto the streets scooping up candy that was thrown from floats.

June Aho, life-long resident of the town, said some people doubted the festival would become an annual tradition.

"This has been going on for 11 years and they didn't think it would last for three years," she said while she helped ready plates for food sales.

Aho said the "young ones" come out later for the fireworks and street dance.

"The whole street will be packed," she said. "You won't be able to move down this street tonight."

Mcintyre said Greenland is a safe place and the committee wants to offer more family orientated fun activities in the future.

"There's not that many places you can go and spend a day and have your kids at one end of the street and you're at the other and you don't have to worry about anything," she said.