Bessemer celebrates season with annual pumpkin festival

By ISABELLE KLEINSCHMIDT

news@yourdailyglobe.com

Bessemer - Orange balloons speckled the skies of Bessemer over the weekend in celebration of the 38th annual Pumpkin Festival. The festivities put on by the Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce began on Thursday and carried on through Sunday in downtown Bessemer.

Thursday evening, the event kicked-off with a Spaghetti Dinner at the American Legion Post 27. Later on at the Pitstop, the Chamber sponsored a "Business After 5" social and a Poker Run took place.

On Friday, the events continued. There was a Bessemer Pumpkin Hunt/Geocaching event throughout the day. The Bessemer Historical Society on Sophie Street held an open house from 1 to 4 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. The Historical Society boasts an array of logging and mining artifacts, as well as various local historical memorabilia.

Carnival rides and games were offered throughout the weekend, with free rides being given on Friday evening. Everything from the "Swinger," to the "Hustler," to a gigantic slide was available for kids of all ages to enjoy.

Friday evening closed with a dance and music on the street, provided by a local DJ.

Saturday, food and vendor booths lined Sophie Street with a variety of locally made items. Event goers could shop for anything from local farm produce, to homemade crafts, an array of textiles, and of course, pumpkins.

The Strong family of Trout Creek was on hand along with other local farmers selling pumpkins of all sizes. "We grow these locally just 5 miles north of town," said Ted Strong, who's children were assisting people in getting the giant pumpkins to their cars in between enjoying the events.

There was food in abundance at the event, starting with a pumpkin pancake breakfast put on by the Knights of Columbus in the morning. Throughout the day, appetites were satisfied by a variety of food booths ranging from carnival foods, including anything from corn dogs, to funnel cakes, to pork sandwiches and many other refreshments.

There was also a pie social held at city hall, complete with drinks, and a live performance by the Gogebic Range Band.

Children's activities were unlimited throughout the weekend. Saturday kicked off with a kiddie parade, where children wore costumes and carried orange balloons down Sophie Street.

Later, children could participate in a wealth of games and activities, including face painting, pony rides, pumpkin decorating, a sidewalk chalk competition and a treasure hunt put on by Dairy Queen. Children were also treated to a performance by Ventriloquist Dave Parker and Skippy at pumpkin square.

There was also a pet costume competition on Saturday morning. Much to the delight of the crowd, locals dressed their beloved four legged friends in costumes for judging by Circuit Court Judge Michael Pope, of Bessemer.

"We came last year and had a great time, and decided to come back again this year." said pet costume competition participant Faith Pera.

A bride and groom, a skeleton, superman, a pumpkin, a jester, and other costumes were worn by pets as they were paraded down Sophie Street, and later before the judges, for prizes.

There were several categories for which the pets could win a prize, including best costume, best large dog costume and best small pet costume. All participants were awarded a prize for taking part in the competition.

People came from all around for the event. "We were just driving through and we saw the orange balloons and decided to stop." said Melanie Wolbeck of Minneapolis, who stopped in for the festivities with her husband. "This is a lot of fun to see the kids and dogs all dressed-up."

Later in the day, pumpkin bowling, pumpkin seed spitting, a pumpkin pie eating contest and a pumpkin walk all highlighted the theme of the festivities.

Throughout the day, 50/50 raffle tickets continued to be sold, the Poker Run at Pit Stop Bar & Grill drew to a close, and helicopter rides were being offered from Steiger's Home Center.

In other areas of Bessemer, there was the 10th Annual Classic Car Show put on by Klassic Kruiser's Car Club on U.S. 2. There was also a tractor pull complete with antique tractors in the BP parking lot going on for the duration of the afternoon.

On Sunday, the Pumpkin Fest wrapped up with a beef brisket/ pulled pork dinner and silent auction at the Bessemer Veterans of Foreign Wars with a live performance by Ray Haapala. The winner of the 50/50 raffle and the Geocaching Pumpkin Hunt were also announced.