Sesquicentennial committee reports 2,000–3,000 attendees, lists winners and a small financial loss on lumberjack show

At the Aug. 11 meeting the Sesquicentennial committee provided a detailed memorandum and certificates of appreciation to volunteers who helped stage Reed City’s 150th anniversary weekend.

Mayor Roger Meinert and Councilmember Charles L. Lupo presented Certificates of Appreciation to volunteers and read highlights from a committee memorandum estimating total weekend attendance between 2,000 and 3,000 people. The committee recounted specific events: a Kids' Jamboree (about 150 children and approximately 300 parents), a pocket-park groundbreaking, a depot dinner attended by roughly 100 people, a color run with more than 300 participants, and a time capsule dedication at the Reed City Heritage Museum attended by over 60 people with participation by Rep. Tom Kunse. The committee said the time capsule is slated to be opened in 2075.

Saturday program highlights included Russ Nehmers’ Veteran Memorial Car Show (about 70 cars), a vendor show with 62 vendors, a riddle relay with 15 teams, and the 'Battle for the Reed City Burger' which sold 113 tickets. The parade drew more than 1,000 spectators and an Era’s Ball later that evening brought 250–300 attendees. The committee recognized numerous individual volunteers and local businesses for support.

The memorandum also described the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack shows as a disappointment: the committee said the contracted performance did not meet expectations, with only one world-champion lumberjack able to perform. The show redeemed 269 tickets; the committee reported $22,000 in expenses against a $30,000 budget and, after partial refunds and sponsor offsets, estimated a net loss of about $2,300.

The council acknowledged the committee’s report and accepted the Certificates of Appreciation. No formal action beyond the presentation was recorded.