Hadley Township-Yes, it’s that time again. Leaves are changing and summertime is on its way out. Thoughts turn from cool drinks to hot cider and the excitement of harvesting long awaited summer crops.
It’s time for the 2003 Hadley Township’s Harvest Festival.
The festival is unique, with activities and events appealing to every age group.
This year’s highlights, to mention a few, include the Classic Car Show on the Hadley Township Ball Field, the Harvest Festival Parade, barbecued chicken smorgasbord, the Civil War Journey in Time Demonstration, the Tractor Show, Fire Safety demonstration put on by the Hadley Township Firefighters, the Hadley Lions Club lunch, and the infamous lawn sale at the Hadley Community Church where one could find just about anything imaginable.
In addition to food, cars and activities, the entertainment is something to speak of. More than 15 acts will be performing music genres from country, dance, rock to Christian rock and gospel.
Past Chamber of Commerce President, Bob Switzenberg, said this year will be a success, as all the others have.
“One act I’m partial to are the American Rhythm Dancers. It’s a clogging type of dance. They have traveled all over the country and will be performing in Las Vegas in the fall.”
The festival, which is more than 20 years in the running, is funded mainly by the Chamber of Commerce and local businesses eager to donate to the event.
Switzenberg said Barbara Beck, chamber member for more than 10 years, had a huge part in collecting and fund-raising for the festival. Most of the money collected from local businesses and vendors is put toward college scholarships for high school students, but is not limited to young people. The money is intended for college educations, with gender, race and age not being a factor. She learned many of her fundraising skills through Epsilon Sigma Alpha, a nationwide organization that collected more than $8 million last year for St. Jude’s.
“I just really like people, and once they learn where their money goes, they are eager to donate,” said Beck.
Beck visited many businesses in the area, asking them to donate anything from money to mugs, simply to show their local support. The Hadley Blacksmith, Krogers and McDonald’s are just a few of many who helped Beck.
She scheduled many of the same acts as she did for the Fourth of July festival. Should the weather took a turn for the worse, many of the vendors’ items would be ruined, as well as expensive stage and sound equipment. Beck’s mind was soon put at ease when Grand Rental Station in Oxford donated party tents, so if Mother Nature felt the need for rain, the festival could still go on. Barnstorm Recording Studio of Hadley donated the stage and sound equipment this year, as they did for last year’s festival as well.
One new musical attraction is the Christian Concert, featuring singers from six churches from Lapeer and Genesee Counties.
“We’ve never done the Christian Concert before. We have a woman that even signs for the deaf when she sings. I think it will be an awesome performance and I’m happy so many people want to be involved just for the pure joy of performing.”
Beck may be partial to one act in particular, Russ Beck, the Hadley Baritone, not only because he’s her husband, but because she knows his tremendous talent. She is hoping to get Beck featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show to demonstrate his gift for Frank Sinatra, Perry Como type style.
“In one year, Russ performed 100 shows. For a man who’s 75 years old, that’s pretty impressive.”
In all, the 2003 Hadley Township Harvest Festival should be an exciting time for everyone, rain or shine.

By Christiane Daily
Staff Writer
Hadley Township-Yes, it’s that time again. Leaves are changing and summertime is on its way out. Thoughts turn from cool drinks to hot cider and the excitement of harvesting long awaited summer crops.
It’s time for the 2003 Hadley Township’s Harvest Festival.
The festival is unique, with activities and events appealing to every age group.
This year’s highlights, to mention a few, include the Classic Car Show on the Hadley Township Ball Field, the Harvest Festival Parade, barbecued chicken smorgasbord, the Civil War Journey in Time Demonstration, the Tractor Show, Fire Safety demonstration put on by the Hadley Township Firefighters, the Hadley Lions Club lunch, and the infamous lawn sale at the Hadley Community Church where one could find just about anything imaginable.
In addition to food, cars and activities, the entertainment is something to speak of. More than 15 acts will be performing music genres from country, dance, rock to Christian rock and gospel.
Past Chamber of Commerce President, Bob Switzenberg, said this year will be a success, as all the others have.
“One act I’m partial to are the American Rhythm Dancers. It’s a clogging type of dance. They have traveled all over the country and will be performing in Las Vegas in the fall.”
The festival, which is more than 20 years in the running, is funded mainly by the Chamber of Commerce and local businesses eager to donate to the event.
Switzenberg said Barbara Beck, chamber member for more than 10 years, had a huge part in collecting and fund-raising for the festival. Most of the money collected from local businesses and vendors is put toward college scholarships for high school students, but is not limited to young people. The money is intended for college educations, with gender, race and age not being a factor. She learned many of her fundraising skills through Epsilon Sigma Alpha, a nationwide organization that collected more than $8 million last year for St. Jude’s.
“I just really like people, and once they learn where their money goes, they are eager to donate,” said Beck.
Beck visited many businesses in the area, asking them to donate anything from money to mugs, simply to show their local support. The Hadley Blacksmith, Krogers and McDonald’s are just a few of many who helped Beck.
She scheduled many of the same acts as she did for the Fourth of July festival. Should the weather took a turn for the worse, many of the vendors’ items would be ruined, as well as expensive stage and sound equipment. Beck’s mind was soon put at ease when Grand Rental Station in Oxford donated party tents, so if Mother Nature felt the need for rain, the festival could still go on. Barnstorm Recording Studio of Hadley donated the stage and sound equipment this year, as they did for last year’s festival as well.
One new musical attraction is the Christian Concert, featuring singers from six churches from Lapeer and Genesee Counties.
“We’ve never done the Christian Concert before. We have a woman that even signs for the deaf when she sings. I think it will be an awesome performance and I’m happy so many people want to be involved just for the pure joy of performing.”
Beck may be partial to one act in particular, Russ Beck, the Hadley Baritone, not only because he’s her husband, but because she knows his tremendous talent. She is hoping to get Beck featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show to demonstrate his gift for Frank Sinatra, Perry Como type style.
“In one year, Russ performed 100 shows. For a man who’s 75 years old, that’s pretty impressive.”
In all, the 2003 Hadley Township Harvest Festival should be an exciting time for everyone, rain or shine.