Heritage Parade celebrates Iron County

HURLEY - On a bright, sunshiny day in downtown Hurley, locals and visitors lined Silver Street for the annual Iron County Heritage Parade on Saturday.

Beginning with the national anthem sung by Hurley native Susan Walesewicz, floats,vehicles, people and animals made their way down Silver Street to celebrate Iron County.

"The annual Heritage Days Parade was well attended on Saturday with numerous floats, local organizations and the Hurley Alumni Band entertaining the crowd," said Rita Franzoi, Hurley Chamber of Commerce member.

A fleet of fire trucks and police cars led the way down Silver Street. Close behind, classic cars revved their engines and tractors chugged along the street. Parade Marshal Budgey was in one of the classic cars leading the parade.

Many local organizations and business created floats for the parade.

The Penokee Range 9-10 year-old Little League softball team strolled down the street. There were horseback riders and the annual Hurley Alumni Band.

"It was good to see everybody out there, to see people put these things together and be a part of this year," said Mitch Koski, Mayor of Montreal, Wis.

As floats, cars, animals and people made their way down Silver Street, judges graded them. Five awards were given.

For the Hurley Pride category, the winner was the Class of 2015. The winner of the youth division was the Color Run 5k. The Class of 1965 won the Hurley Pride Reunion category. For best organization, the winner was Iron County Farmer's Market. North Star Beverage won the Chamber Member category.

The Heritage Day parade is part of the Iron County Heritage Festival which runs until Aug. 9.

"This is good time of the year," Koski said. "A lot of people get back in town here. There's a lot of reunions going on, and this is a good time for everyone who comes out."

For more information, call the Hurley Chamber of Commerce at 715-561-4334, or call the Mercer Chamber of Commerce at 715-476-2389.