U.P. Michigan Region EVENTS
July 10-11 July 14-18 July 16-17 July 31-Aug. 1
Crystal Falls – Bass Festival Ironwood – Festival Ironwood Iron River – UP Championship Rodeo Crystal Falls – Humongous Fungus Fest
It’s a U.P. Holiday Weekend Like No Other By Dennis Ferson There is something special about holiday weekends in a small town, when quiet little villages burst to life. Moving here from the big city 25 years ago this was one of the most striking differences in my new Yooper life. In Chicago a holiday was an excuse to put one’s feet up and unwind from the daily hustle bustle. Here in Wakefield, as I’m sure in many of the Upper Peninsula’s small towns, there is an unusual excitement in the air as each committee puts the final touches on their piece of the “action.” The July 4 holiday weekend will be starting early this year, with the Historical Society’s “Hometown Variety Show” beginning at 6 p.m. on July 1. This local talent show, which has lead off the festivities for more than 30 years, will occur out of doors, on the school’s lakeside lawn for the first time.
By early morning on July 3 much of Wakefield’s Sunday Lake shoreline along the highway will be filled with the parked cars and pickups of the “sooners” securing the best spots for the “Lightning Over the Lake” fireworks display that night. The town picnic in Eddy Park will fill the afternoon with music, food and beverage, bingo and the like. Then, at the conclusion of the Range Band’s evening “Concert in the Park,” all will find comfortable spots near the shore, or return to reclaim their staked out spaces along the road, to watch the traditionally spectacular display.
On July 4, a cannon salute will awaken much of the town at 6 a.m. Following the fireworks on Sunday Lake many have simply moved their folding chair, or other token of claim, to their favorite spot for viewing our true hometown Independence Day parade. Before the kid’s parade steps off from the firehouse, Wakefield’s business district curb will lined elbow to elbow with spectators. Shady viewing spots will be hard to come by when the Vintage Warbirds, a trio of World War II fighters, fly over, and back again, signaling the 1 p.m. start. Marching bands, classic cars, fire engines, one or two things drawn by a horse, logging trucks, and a dozen or so floats from local organizations vying for prizes will complete the pageant. The kids, first to have finished the parade, will reassemble at the high school track for races and games. Many of the other units head down the road or climb back onto their busses to appear in another small town’s parade, supporting the illusion that each is bigger than its britches. I, on the other hand, will likely end up sitting on the museum’s steps with a hot dog and a bag of chips, reassured that I don’t miss the big city, and pondering whether or not to go to Bessemer for a third night in a row of fireworks. You should come and try out a weekend! Bessemer’s Fourth of July festivities returns this year with a full panoply of events, including Fourth of July parade, fireworks, 3-on-3 basketball tournament, polka dance, chalk drawing contest, street bowling, food and music. For more information, go to facebook.com/Bessemer4th.
UpNorthAction.com | July 2021
U.P. Michigan Region
The early kickoff will eliminate conflict with other nearby community’s preholiday plans. To our west, on Friday, July 2, Ramsay Township plans an evening of street activities followed by fireworks over Ramsay Park. That same evening, to the east, Gogebic Lodge’s fireworks will start at dusk. The Lodge is located on the west shore, eight miles north of U.S. 2. You can bring a lawn chair, but many will watch from boats.
There isn’t a bad place to set your chair or blanket and watch this remarkable show.
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