Blueberry queen Ruth Peterson cuts the ribbon at the dedication of M-94, Vern Linderoth Photo
In July of 1941, the citizens of Manistique were in a mood to celebrate as the city hosted the 3rd Annual National Blueberry Festival. The event provided a welcome respite from the ominous news of Hitler’s march across Europe and Japanese aggression in the South Pacific.
Ruth Peterson had been chosen in May by the Chamber of Commerce as the blueberry festival queen. Her ladies in waiting included Dorothy Redeker, Sara Barton, Jean Daury and Dorthy Carefelle.
The festival featured nationally known entertainers including Don White, known as the “Magic Miller.” White was one of the leading magicians in show business and had appeared on Broadway in “Goin Places.” His act included the amazing needle trick which he learned from Harry Houdini. In another illusion, he appeared to turn ordinary flour sacks into beautiful aprons.
Celebrities from the WLS National Barn Dance in Chicago appeared at the Gero Theatre on Maple Street. The Barn Dance stars included musician and comic Jimmy James, the Prairie Sweethearts, the Hayloft Dancers, Uncle Tom Corwin, and the Cumberland Ridge Runners. The master of ceremonies was George Menard. The Barn Dance offered four shows daily on Saturday and Sunday, with the national broadcast “by wire” from the Gero Theatre on Saturday, July 26th at 9:00 pm. The show was beamed across the county via the 50,000 watt clear channel signal of WLS in Chicago, and by NBC affiliates nationwide.
The WLS National Barn Dance was broadcast live from the Gero Theatre in Manistique. Vern Linderoth photo.
The three day festival began on Friday, July 25th. Street sports contests were held in the early afternoon for both girls and boys on Deer Street and in the later afternoon on Cedar Street. The events included three legged races, sack races, balloon blowing contest, roller skating, wheel barrel races, bike races, blueberry pie eating contest and a penny scramble. The State Highway Department held a dedication ceremony for M-94 and the newly laid pavement between Chippewa Avenue and Fifth Street at 4:00 pm. At 5:00 pm. a capacity crowd witnessed the coronation of Queen Ruth Peterson at the A.F. Hall stadium. Entertainment was provided by the Woodsmen of the World band and the “Magic Miller,” Don White. Both the highway dedication and the coronation ceremonies were broadcast live by WTCM radio in Traverse City, Michigan.
The celebration continued into Friday evening with a torchlight parade through town. The procession featured six marching bands, several floats and numerous marching groups including CCC members from Camp Cooks and Camp Germfask. In addition, a Coronation Ball was held at the Exhibition Building on the Schoolcraft County Fair grounds. Live music was provided by the Harold Mennings Orchestra.
Magician Don White is blindfolded by Queen Ruth Peterson prior to driving through town. City policeman John Anderson looks on. Vern Linderoth photo
The weekend festivities included a Kiddie Parade on Saturday morning, followed by Magician Don White driving through town blindfolded. He was accompanied by Queen Ruth Peterson. The afternoon featured a men’s blueberry golf tournament at the Indian Lake Golf Course, with the ladies tournament scheduled for Sunday afternoon. Blueberry balls were held each evening at the fair grounds. Other events included a crosscut sawing competition and softball games for both men and ladies. The men’s game featured a team from Norton’s Grocery against the City League champions from Sault Ste. Marie.
Less than six months later, the Japanese launched their surprise attack on the American Pacific fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, catapulting the United States into World War II. Manistique’s blueberry festivals were suspended for the duration of the war. The festivals were started up again in 1947 and 1948 before they fizzled out altogether, never reaching the heights of those more innocent days in the summer of 1941. Many of the Blueberry Festival highlights are featured in this delightful video by Vern Linderoth from July 25-27, 1941.