‘Celebrate Tecumseh!’ returns to showcase community

The third annual Celebrate Tecumseh! at Tecumseh High School is April 14 from 5 to 8 p.m., and organizer Angel Mensing and her committee have many plans already in place for the event. Mensing, assistant principal at Tecumseh High School, works on behalf of Tecumseh Public Schools with the City of Tecumseh and the Tecumseh Area Chamber of Commerce to showcase programs and services that are offered by the school district, local businesses and area organizations.

“It’s one of those fun things we look forward to every year,” said Mensing. “It really is just a great event. The evening is a nice opportunity for us to get together in one space. It’s almost like a big family reunion.”

A popular part of Celebrate Tecumseh! comes from the participation of students in Tecumseh School District. The kids assist with organization of the event, as well as create artwork for display and participate in performances throughout the evening.

The goal this year for Mensing and her committee is for all students in the district to be represented in some way throughout the showcase. The details have not been completely worked out, but will be based on ideas generated by the committee as well as students in the school district.

“A lot of times when we put it to our students they come up with the best ideas,” Mensing said. “It’s really neat to watch those creative juices get going.”

The free event is possible thanks to event sponsors. Last year, Celebrate Tecumseh! had 13 event sponsors and Mensing expects the same number for 2016. Event sponsors get their logos on print media and T-shirts that advertise Celebrate Tecumseh!, and are also part of the live remote on WLEN Radio on the day of the event.

Event sponsors already signed up for Celebrate Tecumseh! include Living in Lenawee Realty with Janis Montalvo, Brindamour Photo-graphy, Indian Creek Camp and Conference, Kelly Thieken’s LuLaRoe, O’Hara Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, and Tecumseh Missionary Baptist Church. Punch-card sponsors include Hopscotch Kids, The Point Church, First Federal Bank and Stevenson Water Hauling.

“It’s a free event for the community thanks to the generosity of our sponsors,” said Mensing.

“Our sponsors get premiere real estate at Celebrate Tecumseh. They get bigger spots for their tables in what I call sponsorship row.”

Vendors participating this year include Ava Anderson Non-toxic, Cambrian Senior Living, ComForcare Home, Community Arts of Tecumseh, Foster Parent Training Coalition of Southeastern Michigan, Friends of the Tecumseh District Library, Grey Fox Floral, Hidden Lake Gardens, It Works!, Jackson College, Kiwanis Club of Tecumseh, Lenawee Community Foundation, Lenawee County Health Department, Michigan Wares, Tecumseh Herald and Homefront Magazine, Nerium International, Perfectly Posh —J. Alaine Kelly, River Raisin DeMolay, Tecumseh Alumni Association, Tecumseh Area Historical Society, Tecumseh Coins, Tecumseh District Library, Tecumseh Fire Department, Tecumseh Indian Fan Club, Tecumseh Police Department, Tiffany and Hanna LuLaRoe, Tilton and Sons Shoes, Thirty One — Jen Hurd, and Young Living — Rhonda Tinsley.

With the increasing number of participating vendors, Mensing expects to tap into unused space in the high school to fit the additional vendors. “It’s a great problem to have,” she said. “We are blessed with a wonderful building. I can arrange and format tables anywhere.”

There is still plenty of time to become a sponsor of Celebrate Tecumseh! or reserve a table as a vendor. More information can be found on the Celebrate Tecumseh! page on the Tecumseh High School website, or by calling Mensing at 423.6008.

Whether Michigan’s spring turns out to be mild or stormy, Mensing promises a perfect evening at Tecumseh High School on April 14.

“It’s always sunny and 70 in Tecumseh High School,” said Mensing. “It’s the place to be.”