Colorful floats mark annual Jack Frost parade

IRONWOOD - A couple inches of snow on Thursday night added sparkle to Friday's Jack Festival Parade in downtown Ironwood.

The patriotic theme of the parade brought out vibrant reds, whites and blues for a celebration of the upcoming winter.

On a mild evening, with temperatures in the 30s, a total of 37 parade entries passed by the judges at the River Valley Bank and hundreds of spectators along Aurora Street.

The Cub Scouts' float was selected as the top entry, followed by the Klassic Kruisers float and Western Upper Peninsula and Gogebic Range Trail Authority entry.

Judges were Kim Corcoran, Tom Williams and Kevin Nyquist.

Corcoran said the winners were judged on the patriotic theme and their use of lights.

An added touch this year was Christmas music from the Pocket Park, where the lights were covered by the two or three inches of fresh snow.

The dogs in the HOPE animal shelter's entry were again popular, as Bruce Jackson led a small pooch that caught the spectators' fancy.

"What a great night for a parade," said Michael Meyer, of the Ironwood Chamber of Commerce, from along the parade route. He said there were more entrants than last year.

An annual $100 ticket raffle benefits the chamber and this year's $5,000 winner was PJ Baker. Mary Hitt, of Hitt's Fine Furniture, said he was present when his name was drawn and he purchases tickets every year.

Second place and $2,000 went to Mary and Gary Kusz, who seemed to have a strong resemblance to Santa Claus, who greeted dozens of children at the bank after the parade. Jack Frost and his shiny attire joined Santa at the bank.

Third place and $1,000 was won by Dave Zielinski and John and Paula Aijala won the $500 fourth place prize.

Other winners were: Silver Properties, fifth, $500; Laurie Worthington, sixth, $500; Kathy Koski, seventh, $250, Makela, Pollack and Ahonen, eighth, $250, and Gary Kuklinski, ninth, $250. A total of 170 tickets were sold.

Joan Movrich, of Charter Communications, said earlier this week the parade will be broadcast on Charter during the week before Christmas. The parade promoters figured if the parade wasn't broadcast live, more people would show up.

The Parade of Lights is part of the festival that also included an Old Depot Park tree-lighting ceremony, kicking off the many winter activities ahead.

including the Sisu Ski Fest.