10 Thursday, August 1, 2024 BATTLE CREEK SHOPPER NEWS http://www.thebattlecreekshopper.com
are also involved with many sports,
student organizations, and activities.
Saturday’s festivities began with
the Athens Fire Department pancake
breakfast and continued into the eve-
ning.
Throughout the day, there were two
parades, a petting zoo, a performance
by County Line Band, a presentation
by Critchlow’s Alligator Sanctuary,
and a variety of other activities.
Vendors were set up along the side-
walk and in the grass near the Athens
Community Library, which was also
open and holding a book sale and a
dunk tank and several inflatable play
structures were set up in the street, in
front of the Fire Department.
According to Moore, the Grand
Parade on Saturday morning included
more than 60 entries and fire trucks
from nine local fire departments.
He said they had features for
everybody, but this year they particu-
larly tried to focus on things for the
schools and kids.
Along with the petting zoo, kidsparade and various other activities,
the Athens Marching Band was in the
Grand Parade, and the festival had
more inflatable play structures this
year than they have ever had before.
“We want to thank Kirk’s Jump N
Fun, out of Battle Creek for that,”
said Moore. “They just did a great job
setting up.”
Several people received recognition
during the event: Jerry Qualls was
inducted into the Athens Community
Foundation Hall of Fame, Jeff and
Sherry Hanson received the Bob
Ling Memorial Community ServiceHOMECOMING
Continued from Page 3
Award, and Annette Bornor was
awarded Honored Citizen.
The class of 1974’s 50th anniver-
sary reunion was also planned for
Sunday, following Homecoming.
The Athens Community
Association is responsible for orga-
nizing Summer Homecoming.
According to Moore, they have a
group of about 12 people, and they
are looking for more people to get
involved.
“If anybody is interested, we’d love
to have them, because some folks are
transitioning up, and others transi-
tion on,” he said, “so it’s good to
have new blood - new ideas. We’re
always looking for new things to
add - what the community wants and
what people want to see.”
He said they fundraise all year to
put on Summer Homecoming.
“It is a lot of work... and we enjoy
it,” said Moore.
This year’s Athens Summer
Homecoming was sponsored by the
Athens Area Community Foundation,
Athens Youth Council, FireKeepers
Casino Hotel, Village of Athens,
Athens Fire Department Auxiliary,
BT Piping, Kids Time Inc., Lyster
Contracting Inc., Savoy Energy
L.P., Southern Michigan Bank &
Trust, Stanton Farms, J.R. and Kacie
Brunner, Athens Area Community
Foundation Youth Fund, Athens
Area Historical Society, Athens Auto
Supply, Chad B. Spencer, Consumers
Energy, Copper Kettle Restaurant,
GreenMark Equipment, Knowles
Excavating, Lighthouse Funeral &
Cremation, Lonn B. Spencer Agency
Inc., MECWARF VFW Post 5319,
and Office Lounge & Restaurant.“Get Away.”
He plans to attend the awards
ceremony at the Grand Ole Opry in
October.
Austin, who grew up attending
summer theatre camp at the former
Bad Wolfe Theatre Company, said
Battle Creek is rich with “theatre
kids.”
“We’re just one of these kinds of
camp this summer,” said Austin.
“So some of these kids are doing
theater for a month. So it’s awesome,
though. I love it.”MUSIC AWARD
Continued from Page 2