Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
THE BEAVER mascot from the Beaver Lodge in Mercer hands out candy along the parade route during the Candy Cane Parade on Saturday. The Beaver Lodge was the winner of the business category for parade floats, winning a $50 prize.
By KELSEY HANSEN
Mercer - It was the fourth year of the Candy Cane Parade and festivities on Saturday in Mercer.
The day consisted of a bakeing contest in the morning, a parade and float contest in the afternoon and treats, hot cocoa and 50/50 raffle after the parade.
The baking contest started the day's festivities, which took place in the Mercer Sno-Goers barn in the morning.
Participants had three categories they could enter: cookies, bars and candy.
Everyone had the opportunity to enter one category or all three, sticking with the candy cane/peppermint theme.
The bake contest had three judges trying all the treats, which included Vick Ouimette, Carol Denman and Darlene Jaeger.
The cookie category was won by Chris Anderson and the bars and candy divisions were both won by Vicky Mumford.
Winners received certificates for their entries and bragging rights for the winning treats.
All baking contest entries were then distributed as treats for after the parade.
Several kinds of sugar cookies were made and donated special for the event by community member Louise Minisan as well.
There was also a contest for the parade, with three categories for a chance to win a $50 prize: business, not-for-profit and individuals.
Each float had to follow the theme of candy canes and incorporate them into their float.
The winners included the Beaver Lodge for the business category, the MECCA trails for the not-for-profit category and the Hutbrecht family for individual category with their "Nite Before Christmas" float.
The parade also had festival royalty, Candy Cane Queen Caitlyn Hiller and Candy Cane Princess Amber Eith.
The Mercer Sno-Goers snowmobile club graciously offered their time and facility for the day's events as well as Betty Snyder, the ultimate cheer person and person behind it all.
Snyder is 88 years old but devotes her time and energy into the community, especially for the Candy Cane Parade and festivities.
After the parade, community members had the opportunity to enjoy the baked treats from the baking contest and kids could get their picture taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Sno-Goers barn.
Next year will be the Candy Cane Parade's fifth year and Snyder said they will be hosting some extra events and special activities in honor of the occasion.
