For 364 days out of the year, Leonard is a sleepy little town with a population of about 330 residents.
But that all changes for one day every July when thousands of visitors and past residents flood the village’s downtown for the annual Strawberry Festival.
This year that day is Saturday, July 19.
“Anybody who’s ever lived here comes back for the festival,” said 84-year-old Leonard resident Julia Mills. “I’ll spend the whole day uptown talking to people. It’s always good to see everybody. I love it.”
Mills, who was born in Leonard and lived there for 71 years, is being honored as the festival’s “Special Person” this year.
“We try to honor the town’s original people,” said Leonard Summer Festival Committee member Char Sutherby. “(Mills) is a nice lady. She’s one of the few older people we’ve never honored before.”
Mills’ maiden name is Baza. Leonard’s Baza St. is named for her grandfather John Baza, an immigrant farmer who came from Poland in the late 19th century.
Mills’ step-father, Burnell Schlusler and step-brother, Marvin “Mike” Schlusler, were founding members of the Addison Fire Department, established in 1949.
During the festival’s parade, which begins at noon, Mills, a 1937 Oxford High graduate, will ride in a 1913 Ford Model-T, driven by owner Dick Muir, of Romeo.
When asked how it feels to be honored as this year’s “Special Person,” Mills replied, “Pretty nice.”
Mills said she plans to spend much of the festival at her usual spot, the E. Elmwood St. home of Geno and Marlene Mallia. “I have a chair there with my name on it,” she said with a smile.
Oakland County Commissioner Bill Patterson is also being honored as the parade’s “2003 Grand Marshal.”
“He comes (to the festival) every year,” Sutherby said. “He’s always been real supportive. He comes to all the festival (fund-raising) dinners.”
During the parade Patterson will be riding in his classic 1969 Ford Mustang, a familiar sight in many local parades.
Local royalty will be riding in the parade in the form of the festival’s Prince and Princess, Leonard Elementary students Matthew Romeyn and Rachel James.
Romeyn, a 7-year-old heading into the second grade this fall, is the son of Sheri and Mike Romeyn, of Addison Township.
“We’re so proud,” Sheri said of her son’s achievement. “I was excited.”
Matthew said he felt “pretty glad” when he heard the news.
James, a 6-year-old going into the first grade this fall, is the son of Sue and Robert James, of Addison Township.
“We’re pretty excited,” Sue said. “We were just thrilled.”
Rachel said it feels “good” to be the princess.
According to Summer Festival Committee member Sandy Walendzik, there are “at least 35 entries” scheduled for this year’s parade, including some Arabian horses marching with the Polly Ann Trail Management Council (PATMC).
The horses are owned by Addison Township Trustee Ed Brakefield and his wife, Cathy, who serves as the PATMC’s Citizen Representative for Equestrian Affairs.
But the parade is only a small fraction of the all festival fun scheduled. Here’s what else is happening:
Kick-off dinner
The fun begins Friday, July 18 with a kick-off dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. catered by The Leonard Market.
Dinner goers can choose from three delicious meals.
For $4.99, you can enjoy two pieces of baked chicken, potato salad, green beans and a roll.
Then there’s the homemade chicken salad with fruit and crackers for $3.99.
If you’re not in the mood for chicken, you can enjoy a perennial summer favorite, hot dog, chips and pop for $2.50.
Festival Day
Start the day bright and early with a pancake breakfast at the Leonard United Methodist Church at 254 E. Elmwood St. from 8 to 10:30 a.m.
Top off breakfast with a fresh strawberry sundaes served up by the Addison Fire Fighters Association. The local heroes who battle blazes and save lives will be dishing up the tasty desserts from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Fire Station #1 on E. Elmwood.
Next to the fire station, the Addison Lions Club food booth will be serving up Italian Sausage with fried onions and green pepper, turkey drumsticks, kielbasa and sauerkraut, hot dogs with all the fixings, potato chips, pop and water.
Starting at 11 a.m. adult festival goers will be able to wander through the various Arts and Crafts booths while kids can receive train rides or pony rides, the latter courtesy of the Polly Ann Trail Management Council.
At 11:30 a.m. festival goers will be treated to a medieval dueling exhibition conducted by Leonard residents Eric Haynes and Tom Williams.
Dressed in medieval garb and armed with swords and daggers, the pair will make history come alive on the streets of Leonard.
Both are members of the The Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc., an international organization dedicated to researching and re-creating European history.
The festival parade down E. Elmwood St. is set to begin at noon.
Following the parade at 1 p.m., the Giant Fire Truck Slide, obstacle course and Moonwalk will open to kids and remain so until 6 p.m.
At 1:30 p.m. the Addison firefighters will take on neighboring departments in the Waterball Competition on W. Elmwood. Addison Fire Chief George Spencer vowed that his team will beat any and all challengers.
People seeking dryer entertainment can head over to the D.J. booth to watch members of the Romeo-based The Dance Studio, Inc. perform their fancy moves.
Two o’clock is the deadline to submit entries for the Strawberry Bake-off.
The rules are simple – all entries must arrive at Rowland Hall by 2 p.m.; contain strawberries; contain no alcohol; no preserves or beverages are permitted; and the recipe must be included with the entry.
Entries will be divided into two age groups – Youth 8 to 12 years old and Adults 13 years and older. Entries will be judged by taste and presentation.
In front of the Post Office at 2:30 p.m. are country games for the kids ages 3-12, followed by a magic show.
At 5:30 p.m. the Clinton Twp.-based Hooked on Country dancers will perform in front of the Post Office.
To close out the festival, a street dance will be held from 7 to 11 p.m. with music provided by DOO-WOP Productions.
The Strawberry Festival has something for everyone and offers loads of family fun. Don’t miss it.