Karen Wils photo 1968 Baby Contest winner Lori Rose and her doll, “Sweet Lori.”

ESCANABA — Independence Day Escanaba-style has made many wonderful memories. The Fourth of July has brought folks in from the forests for many decades.

Grandpa and Grandma loaded up the wagon or the Model T and headed to town. Parades, picnics, baseball games, swimming, fireworks, family and friends, this holiday had a lot to offer even in the olden days.

Each little town along the shores of Little and Big Bay de Noc waved “Old Glory” and celebrated with a slate of activities.

Single young folks pitched woo, fella’s pitched horseshoes, and the women got caught up on all the latest news.

In 1919, the Escanaba Morning Press ran a half a page ad reading “Come to Escanaba for the 4th of July for an old time celebration.” Events for the day included music by four bands, a parade, a dog cart race, a heavy man’s race (all contestants must weigh over 200 pounds), a water fight on Ludington Street and a tub race at the park bath house.

Down through the years, celebrating our county’s birthday “Yooper-style” has been a part of our pride and joy. Watermelon, sparklers and ice cream dripping down to our elbows are tastes, smells and sensations of July fourth.

My mother always collaborated with her brothers and sisters to organize a big extended family gathering for Independence Day. From the time I was a little girl and went down to the “Bay Shore” for a Fourth of July dip with all of the Northtown families to the water balloon tossing, watermelon seed spitting contests that spanned from the 1970s to 2014, the holiday meant fun!

Trips to Ludington Park were a big treat for us. On one of these Fourth of July trips, I remember watching my brother Mark when he entered the greased pig contest down there. He was about ten years old and watching him scramble in the muddy pen with a bunch of other boys was a hoot.

One of the other “big events” the city of Escanaba and the merchants of the area sponsored was its annual Fourth of July baby contest. I recall this event taking place at the Karas Memorial Band Shell.

On a warm sunny day back in 1968, I remember watching my little sister Lori in a pretty blue dress strolling across the stage with all of the other cute tots. Her shiny copper colored hair and her sweet smile were irresistible. She was awarded the runner up prize. It was a lovely doll with reddish hair. The name of the doll written on the box was “Sweet Lori.”

My silly brothers had to call the doll “Feet Lori” of course, but it was a fun day for the Rose family.

Over the years, Fourth of July celebrations have changed somewhat. But the important parts like being proud to be Americans, celebrating with family and friends and great food, remain the same.

The Fourth of July is also a good time to get out the old family photo albums and reminisce. How many other baby contest winners are out there with their cute little dimples and smiles still showing. Have a happy Fourth of July, all.

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Karen (Rose) Wils is a lifelong north Escanaba resident. Her folksy columns appear weekly in Lifestyles.