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Despite the season’s first rainy and cool weather, Saline Summerfest was a success, said Saline Area Chamber of Commerce executive director Art Trapp.
Trapp appeared before Saline City Council Monday night to report on the annual summer festival, which featured events downtown, at the Saline Rec Center, and at Millpond and Curtiss Parks.
“Attendance was down Friday night, but it was a half-way decent night. The rain didn’t help. But Saline Rotary made $1,500 on its Casino Night, which was comparable to last year,” Trapp said. “Later Saturday, it was as busy as I’ve ever seen it, and it was hard getting around. Between Friday and Saturday, it was comparable to 2011. Overall it was a huge success and I am very happy with the cooperation of all the volunteers who made it happen.”
Trapp also praised the work of Saline’s Department of Public Works employees, who helped set up and tear down the festival.
“It couldn’t happen without them,” Trapp said.
Saturday’s early rain didn’t help the Saline Street Machines car show, Trapp said, which saw participants fall from 120 to 52. But the 5K run had 225 participants (The corporate challenge was won by Flatout Bread, which defeated Nature’s Garden by 12 seconds).
The Saline Area Historical Society’s historic trolley tours drew 300 riders.
“If you haven’t done it at least once, it’s worth it. I was happy to hear the commentary (about Saline’s history) from the costumed individual leading the tour,” Trapp said.
Trapp said the Saline and Pittsfield police presence brought in after incidents last year made the vendors feel more comfortable. A security firm also worked at the event.
The Island Guys, a Caribbean band that played Saturday afternoon, were a big hit, Trapp said, and will be invited back.
The Saline Firehouse Chicken Broil sold 500 dinners, including 105 by the new drive-up service.
The teen block party organized by the Fifth Corner Teen Center was also a winner, Trapp said. The event, which featured a DJ, bands and giveaways, drew more than 200 kids, Trapp said.
Rain washed out the family activities in front of Union School. Other events, such as the euchre tournament, didn’t receive much interest.
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