FIRE DEPT KIDS PICNIC

 For over 110 years, the Cheboygan Fire Department has hosted its free, family friendly Kids' Picnic at Gordon Turner Park, drawing hundreds of City residents and visitors alike. “This year, the picnic will be from 1-3 p.m., on Sunday, July 21,” said Cheboygan Fire Chief Don Dailey. “This picnic is one of our community outreach programs that allows City residents and visitors to the community to attend and get to know the men and women who serve on the City's Fire Department.” The picnic welcomes everyone in the community, whether they live in Cheboygan or are just visiting. Several different activities are planned for the two hour event, including rides around the circle drive at Gordon Turner Park on the City's antique 1927 Deluge fire truck, accompanied by members of the Fire Department, and several games to play. The picnic will also feature lunch with hot dogs grilled by firefighters, complete with all the fixings, potato chips and orange drink, generously donated by several businesses and organizations around Cheboygan. Dailey mentioned that the number of hot dogs served each year depends on the weather; warmer weather tends to see more hot dogs consumed. Some years, over 1,000 hot dogs have been grilled up, while other years have seen around 600. Each year, the event is supported by multiple sponsors, including Family Fare of Cheboygan, McDonald's of Cheboygan, Lay's Potato Chips and Ryba Marine, which has contributed to the event annually for several years. Dailey expressed his enjoyment in seeing children having fun with their friends and family members at the event each year. One of the main attractions, particularly in hot weather, is what has been dubbed the "largest water slide in Northern Michigan.” A large piece of plastic will be laid across the grass at the north end of the soccer fields at Gordon Turner Park with the Fire Department's 100 foot aerial ladder truck extended and spraying water onto the plastic, turning it into a pool and water slide for children and their families to enjoy. In case if rainy weather on that Sunday, the picnic will be postponed to the following Sunday, at the same time. An announcement regarding postponement will be made on the Cheboygan Fire Department's Facebook page, and the City of Cheboygan's Facebook page.