Cedar Springs 2009 Red Flannel Festival celebrates 70 years this weekend

   Source:  Red Flannel Festival, copyright 2009 

Located just north of Grand Rapids, if you haven't visited Red Flannel town yet, I highly recommend this short drive from Grand Rapids into some beautiful countryside.  Red Flannel town sponsors and festival directors dedicate much time and energy throughout the year to bring you the biggest and best in entertainment and fun at this annual event.   

The legacy of the Red Flannel Festival is one that has been passed down for over seventy years, and as the motto for this year states, "Soaring at 70 and beyond!" can only happen when a community of citizens take pride and love in the place they call home.  

Filled with character and small-town appeal, Cedar Springs is a town with an enjoyable history.  It all began in 1939 when during one of the worst winters ever, this town stepped up to the cry for some much-needed warmer pajamas.   As orders began pouring in from all over the world,  Cedar Springs proved it meant serious business with the opening of the one and only Red Flannel Factory.  The factory  remained in production until the year of 1994.   And at that time, the thought of no red flannel was so unthinkable that those who had grown to love what their town stood for, fought to keep the spirit alive .  Red flannel long underwear is available to this day to purchase by merchants in Cedar Springs.  With another  Michigan winter on its way, Santa Claus isn't the only one who may experience some very cold nights come December.   All sizes are available, ranging from adult to baby, and if you haven't witnessed a little toddler in his or her very own one drop-seat pajamas, all the more reason to visit Cedar Springs before the holiday season.      

Just as the very first Red Flannel Day of 1939 was celebrated in the fall, the Cedar Springs Red Flannel Festival is always held the same time every season, on the last weekend in September and the first weekend in October.  President of the Red Flannel Board of Directors, Michele Tracy Andres, reports 18 new events added in only the last few years, with some of those events fresh and new for this year .  Some highlights for Saturday's schedule include a 5-person bed race, chili cookoff, full marketplace, giant arts and craft fair, grand parade, photography contest, and fireworks celebration. 

And when you arrive, be aware of the tradition of wearing red or be on the lookout.  Those who are caught red-handed, or un-red handed, that is,  should probably prepare to spend some time in "Keystone jail".  Unique to this festival and town is their very own "Keystone Kop" police force, and they are up to their old tricks.  All in good fun, plan on a few laughs if you run into one.  Dressed in  full "uniform", you'll think you've just stepped into a silent film out of the early 1900s.  But these "kops" are anything but silent, so expect a little harassment if  you are not dressed for the occasion.  And as Michele Tracy Andres likes to say "Warm Red Flannel Regards."   

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