Monday, May 5, 2014

Chatham, Michigan Community Events

Welcome.  This page is about Chatham's biggest event held every year in the village.  The event is the Chatham Homecoming Celebration, held in conjunction with the Alger County Fair during the first weekend in August.  Hundreds of people from across the Upper Peninsula and the Great Lakes come to this event every year, stopping by to spend a little time in our town.  There is a lot of fun to be had at this event and everyone in town seems so anxious when it comes around each summer.  So read on about this event that makes Chatham what it is.  It only happen once a year, so when it's gone, you have to wait a full year for it to return. 
When you think of summer time fun, there's no better way to enjoy yourself than by stopping by the Chatham Homecoming Celebration.  The event is held in conjunction with the Alger County Fair, usually on the first weekend of August. The Chatham Homecoming Celebration first began many years ago as a community celebration.  It was envisioned as a reunion-type event, trying to get many of the locals back that have moved on to bigger and better things.  The community event has been a local success ever since and one of the most popular events during the celebration is the Chicken Dinner, held on Chatham Homecoming Sunday.  Hundreds of chickens are cooked for the successful dinner, which draws many from not only in the community, but from other areas in the central Upper Peninsula.  It is one of the Chatham Lions Club's biggest fundraisers, which also runs a raffle during the weekend for many different cash prizes and gift certificates to the local businesses. Another popular event that draws many from within the county is the Chatham Homecoming Parade.  The parade is held on Homecoming Saturday at 2 p.m., and features a variety of floats from the local area.  One nice thing about the parade is that it spotlights many of the class reunions that are entered into the parade, and that are holding reunion parties during the weekend. Often times, family reunion floats are also entered into the parade.  Local businesses, political candidates, and other area organizations use the parade as an advertisement as well.  And a lot of the kids have a fun time, catching all of the candy that drops their way onto the street.  Many people line the streets of downtown Chatham, just to get a glimpse of the parade.  It really is a fun time, and everyone should make every effort to get out and see the parade.  Then, Saturday night of the Homecoming Celebration, the Homecoming Dance is held, beginning at 9:00 P.M. with the Chatham Homecoming Queen being crowned.  After that, it's an entertaining night filled with dancing, food, and drink going past the midnight hour.  And we can't forget, the Alger County Fair offers a variety of events beginning on Friday and ending Sunday afternoon, to keep the entire family busy.  Many exhibits are open for viewing, and another popular event during the fair is the horse shows, which are held both on Saturday and Sunday.  A classic car show also occurs on Sunday, and kids games are held throughout the entire weekend on the fairgrounds.  It must be noted that the Alger County Fair is a small rural fair and the fairgrounds are a lot smaller if you compare them to the Upper Peninsula State Fairgrounds in Escanaba.  Yet, it is just right for our county.  So, if you're looking for some summer-time fun, bring the entire family along to the Chatham Homecoming and Alger County Fair, held the first weekend in August.  It really is a fun time!

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