HURLEY -- For more than two decades, the St. Mary's Church Bazaar has been a staple summer event, bringing people together for food and refreshments, games for young and old and the reuniting of friends and families.

One of the premiere events of the Iron County Heritage Festival, the event marks the end of the festival's first weekend. However, bazaar goers can also look forward to a host of other events through Aug. 9.

"This is one of the best (bazaars) yet," said St. Mary's Catholic Church secretary and co-organizer Sandy Aijala. "We've got everything down pat.

"You put everything out and set up and the practitioners and volunteers do the rest."

Aijala, another church secretary Donna Putzer and youth minister Ann Marie Batiste, along with Father Mike Hayden, start organizing the bazaar in January.

"We always try to coincide it with the Heritage Festival," Aijala said.

A 1975 graduate of Hurley High School, Aijala attended the All Class Reunion at the Hurley Inn Saturday night, the Hurley Education Foundation open house and Distinguised Alumni awards and the golf tournament on Friday.

Sunday, she was busy managing the "paddle wheel" game where players can win cash, with proceeds going to the church. Past funding projects have included the organ fund and the furnace funds, Bastiste said.

At another section of the church grounds, Gemma Lamb led the children's games that were a big hit with all the kids, Bastiste said. Lamb and about 50 volunteers helped with the bazaar.

It takes about two days to clean up, Bastiste said.

"Everyone brought a good attitude," Aijala said.

"That made all the difference in the world," Putzer added.

Inside, the Catholic Women's Council carried out its bake sale, with over 50 bakers contributing treats, said president Gail Paternoster of Hurley.

The Knights of Columbus sponsors the bingo games. The bazaar raffle and 50-50 tickets are other fund raisers.

Upcoming Heritage Days Festival activities include:

Iron County Geocaching Event -- through Aug. 10, throughout Iron County; 715-561-2922.

Living History Walking Tour of Hurley Tavern District, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., Hurley; 715-561-4334.

Montreal and Gile All-City Rummage Sale, Friday and Saturday, Aug. 1 and 2, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.. 715-561-5180.

Iron County Fair, Thursday through Sunday, July 31 to Aug. 3, Saxon, Wis. 715-561-5780.

Finn Aire performance, Sunday, Aug. 3,  2 p.m., Little Finland, Kimball, Wis. 715-561-4521.

Mercer Loon Day, Wednesday, Aug. 6, Mercer; 715-476-2389.

Paavo Nurmi Marathon Spaghetti Feed, Friday, Aug. 8, 4-8 p.m., Hurley Chamber at 715-561-4334.

40th Paavo Nurmi Marathon, Saturday, Aug. 9, 7:30 a.m., 715-561-4334. www.hurleywi.com.

Springstead Corn Roast, Saturday, Aug. 9, noon-6 p.m., 715-583-9979.

Sidekicks Lumberjack Breakfast Buffet, 8 a.m., Iron Belt.

Turtle Flambeau Flowage Pig Roast, 3 p.m., Midway Lodge, 715-769-3680.