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Neda Payne, director of the Lapeer Area Chamber of Commerce, said much marketing goes into Lapeer Days. "Lapeer Days generates revenue. People come from out of state," she said. "It's an annual thing. We promote it throughout the state and it's the largest fee festival in the county.

"The festival has something for everyone. The entertainment is free. For the family there's a Box City. The carnival is fun," Payne said. "There's food vendors and we have our traditional beer tents."

Payne said the community further benefits from Lapeer Days as revenue is generated and spent at area businesses. She said

Skerbeck Carnival of Escanaba will be back offering amusement rides with a pay one price per day offer.

Free activities once again will include the Lapeer Days Parade. The parade's grand marshals will be Lapeer Police Chief Todd Alexander and Lapeer Fire Chief Terry Kluge.

There will also be three stages of non-stop entertainment all weekend long, Wyatt the Magic Wonder and Wowie the clown for the kids; face painting, Box City in the courthouse pavilion, kids' workshops, Chips a Flyin' wood carving demonstration, disc dog competition, a craft tent, pony rides, Laser Tag, Lapeer County Courthouse tours, the annual candy drop, and the car show, and the soap box derby that all can be enjoyed even more with free parking.

The Little Miss Lapeer Days competition is at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 15 when local beauties strut their stuff.

The Lapeer Days Parade will kick off at 11 a.m. Aug. 16 featuring floats and bands.

Kids aren't forgotten at Lapeer Days. In addition to the parade, there will be the carnival, Wowie the Clown, a kids' workshop, Wyatt the Magic Wonder, klods for kids/radio control monster trucks, the candy drop, and the soap box derby.For the hungry, the Lapeer Elks will have a beef roast dinner; the Lapeer Optimist will have a chicken barbecue; and the Visiting Nurses of Michigan will have a Sunday morning pancake breakfast. For the thirsty, the Lapeer Optimist will have their beer tent.

For those who enjoy gambling, the Rotary Club of Lapeer will present a Texas hold 'em tournament and the Lapeer Optimists will have its Vegas tent.

Finally, it will be off to the races, the Lapeer Days Race that is, at 7 a.m. Aug. 17 along the downtown streets.

For a complete listing and more information on Lapeer Days, see the special tab in the Aug. 10 edition of The County Press.

Jennifer Decker can be reached at (810) 664-0811, Ext. 8125 or jennifer.decker@lapeergroup.com.