More than 15,000 people annual gather at the Motor City Comic Convention, the largest gathering of comic and pop culture events in Michigan. This audio slide show gives a glimpse into the sights and sounds.

Photos by Michael Jones & production by Frank Michels

Tuesday, July 14

1969 Gov. William Milliken

GAYLORD -- Mike Reling attended his first Alpenfest Honors Luncheon 13 years ago, months after moving to Gaylord. It gave him chills.

GAYLORD -- Vicky Messinis of Waters has designed this year’s Alpenfest pin, celebrating the 45th anniversary of the festival on the 45th Parallel.

1965 US Plywood

GAYLORD -- Relay for Life, the Big Ticket, Sno Cross, rabbit shows, horse shows, circuses -- and you thought the Otsego County Fair Grounds were only about the annual county fair.

*1980 Jim Mongeau

Ask anyone about the 2009 Alpenfest burgermeisters Gene and Barb Fleming, and you will without a doubt hear something like this:

We were born and raised in Otsego County, as were both of our parents Darrell and Ethel Fleming and Roy and Rhoda Kelso. Gene comes from a family of eight and Barb from a family of four. We both went to school in the county, our first eight years in Elmira and high school in Gaylord.

ELMIRA TWP. --

Whereas, Alpenfest, first originated in 1965 as a community festival, has developed into one of the State's premier festivals attracting thousands of tourists from throughout the state to partake in Swiss-style customs and celebrations; and

Sometimes it’s hard to make something better than it’s ever been. A pageant is one such event. It’s hard to improve on an event that showcases some of the brightest and best young women in a town.

The five girls seeking the title of Alpenfest Queen are (in alphabetical order):

1965    Connie Wolf

The Alpenfest ® Entertainment Committee has announced the Main Stage entertainment line-up for this summer’s 45th annual community celebration. 2009 Alpenfest ® president, Bill Wishart, says, “The slate of performers is top-notch and includes a fresh array of national and regional performers”.

LEGEND OF THE BOOGG ­­-- Boogg, a giant snowman of cotton wool, symbolizes winter to the Swiss, and they burn the statue yearly with colorful pageantry to celebrate the beginning of spring. In Gaylord, the Burning of the Boogg has taken on new meaning and added delight. Alpine Village residents and visitors jot down their troubles and problems on slips of paper and these are then placeed inside the Boogg. The Boogg is then ignited, and everyone’s troubles go up in smoke! Now all can enjoy the fun and festivities of Alpenfest! The Boogg goes up in smoke on Tuesday, July 14 at 9:30 p.m.

Willkommen and Welcome to the 45th Annual Alpenfest and a week of fun for the whole family during “45th on the 45th”. This is truly a community celebration and we invite visitors to join in the fun.

According to legend, Herr Gessler was an evil ruler in Switzerland and Austria in the 13th century. Gessler would leave his hat in the square, and as a symbol of authority, he would force all those who passed it to bow down. William Tell, who had been hunting in the mountains with his son when Gessler came into power, entered the square and did not bow down to the feathered hat. Herr Gessler became so enraged that he arrested Tell and his son. As punishment, Tell had to shoot an apple off his son’s head. Tell succeeded and then turned his bow on Gessler. Tell was able to overthrow Gessler and become the new ruler. Somehow Gessler was able to escape to Gaylord a few hundred years later.  He now tries to ruin Alpenfest each year by demanding quiet and that passersby bow down to his hat. However, the Alpine Village wins over the evil tyrant by singing

Story and photos by Michael Jones

Get your Otsego County group or organization added to this list. Email us your name and website URL.

More than 15,000 people annual gather at the Motor City Comic Convention, the largest gathering of comic and pop culture events in Michigan. This audio slide show gives a glimpse into the sights and sounds.

K.J. Kolka

THE HANGOVER

GAYLORD -- First Congregational Church in association with the Gaylord Chamber Orchestra is pleased to announce a benefit concert for the Gaylord Youth Orchestra Summer String Camp.

GAYLORD -- The Gaylord Area Council for the Arts (GACA) is set for its annual fundraiser next month which will feature the appraisal services of a featured member of Public Television’s “Antique Road Show.”