Blackjack! Petoskey Wins Rights to July 4 Fireworks Kickoff

For the third year in a row, Petoskey will have the opportunity to shoot the first community fireworks July 4 along Little Traverse Bay. Carlin Smith, president of the Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce, secured this opportunity by prevailing in a blackjack game, Friday, June 25 at the Odawa Casino Resort. Scott Herceg, executive director of the Harbor Springs Chamber of Commerce, represented his community in the game to determine launch order. Each player was provided with $10000 worth of tournament chips. After 20 hands of blackjack, the player with the highest chip value would be declared the winner. Smith had $18400 on hand at the conclusion, while Herceg had $11200. Casino table games director Susan Foster served as a dealer for the game and provided a blackjack tutorial. Representatives from Petoskey and Harbor Springs have played a variety of games — ranging from euchre to miniature golf — through the years to secure the first-launch opportunity. The lighthearted rivalry has been in place since the mid-’90s.