Mercer celebrates Claire d'Loon's 34th birthday; chamber receives JEM grant

MERCER, Wis. - Claire d'Loon, Mercer's 16-foot, 2,000-pound loon, located on U.S. 51, celebrated her 34th birthday, complete with a present - a new voice - Saturday.

Under the bow and wrapping was a new interactive voice box that allows visitors to learn about loons, as well as hear the loon's famous calls. Visitors can read about Claire d'Loon on the display as well as press one of four buttons to hear loon sounds, including a hoot, tremolo, yodel and wail. A fifth button plays information about Claire d'Loon.

Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism Stephanie Klett was on hand for the festivities, along with other state and regional officials.

The voice box was several years in the making, trying to come up with the right design so it would be user friendly for visitors. Financing for the voice box was helped by selling loon-shaped cookies locally and by an anonymous donor. Fundraising will continue so Claire can also receive a fresh coat of paint.

Klett said she has the best job in Wisconsin because she gets to "promote all 72 gorgeous counties, all 15,000 lakes, rivers and streams, hundreds of islands, tons of waterfalls, and really the best state in the United States."

She also spoke about what small town life is all about.

"Mercer epitomizes the best of small town life in spades. The shopping, and the restaurants, and the hotels, they're great, but the people are incredible," she said. "The beauty is second to none, over 200 lakes in a 20 mile radius, including the famous Turtle Flambeau Flowage, loon capital of the world, some of the nicest people that you ever going to meet, great hunting, fishing, biking, hiking, ATVing, snowmobiling, you name it, Mercer is one spectacular town."

Klett was crowned Loon Queen for the day by officials.

Klett was also in town to present the Chamber of Commerce a JEM grant check for $9,000 for the 2015 Can-Yak fishing tournament and festival.

Klett said getting the Joint Effort Marketing grant money resembles a root canal. "There is nothing fun about the process, but once it is over, it feels so good."

Following the unveiling of Claire's birthday present, it was time for the parade. With sirens wailing from the Mercer fire department, the parade started at the Mercer Chamber of Commerce on U.S. 51 and proceeded to the Mercer Community Center and library. Children scrambled for candy as the fire trucks and several floats rolled by.

After the parade, there was a birthday party and lunch held at the Community Center, with games for the kids.