Parade, Laser show highlight Saturday at Festival

Saturday at the Blissfield River Raisin Festival opened with small town tradition and closed with a sci-fi light show.

The day began with the annual River Raisin Festival Parade through downtown Blissfield. In all, the 45-minute parade was one of the longest in history, featuring hundreds of entrants. The parade was so long that floats at the beginning of the parade completed the entire parade route and arrived back at the school before many had even begun the parade.

Former Village President Pat Hinde, owner of Frosty Boy, Home Run Pizza, Hinde Accounting and other businesses, was named the first-ever Grand Marshal of the parade. Over the years, Hinde has played a big role in Blissfield’s annual party. He ran the softball tournament and car show for years. Even today, Hinde allows the festival to use his property for the ever-popular beverage tent. Consumption of alcohol in the parks is prohibited.

Saturday was a busy day at Ellis and Bachmayer Parks. The carnival was in full swing and well attended, as were the inflatable attractions in Kids Corner. Music was played on two different stages, and there were animal and clown acts on the Tugboat Stage. One of the best attended shows of the festival came when the Expressions Through Dance School put on their summer concert on the Pavilion Stage Saturday afternoon.

The softball tournament continued well into the night at Ellis Park. And Corey Burgermeister and Tedd Nigh won their volleyball tournament again.

Many people crowed the area near the Gail Giles Memorial Swimming Pool Saturday night to watch the first-ever Laser Light Show.