Organizers gear up for Festival Ironwood

By RICHARD JENKINS

rjenkins@yourdailyglobe.com

Ironwood — Parts of Ironwood’s Depot Park are marked off and the tent will be set up in the coming days as Festival Ironwood is once again here.

The 26th annual festival kicks off Wednesdays, with many of the Depot Park activities running through Saturday.

“It’s going to be a wonderful celebration of summer, everything that’s worked for us in the past we’ve kept, … ” said Festival Ironwood co-chair Keith Johnson told the Daily Globe.

The four-day event will feature many of the crowd favorites; including live music, food, 50-50 raffles, watermelon-eating contest and pool tournament.

“The things that have worked for us, we don’t change,” Johnson said. “The wonderful grilled chicken, the bean bag toss, the volleyball tournament, the car show, the craft show, the duck pick.”

Along with returning events, Johnson said this year’s festival will feature at least one new musical act — the Black River Blues Band, which will perform Friday night.

“They’re a local band, a lot of people have been waiting for them to come at the festival,” he said.

Johnson was also happy to announce the return of Marty’s Goldenaires to Festival Ironwood.

“Marty’s was a great draw for us last year and I’m looking forward to have them back again this year,” Johnson said.

He also thanked the many volunteers and community members who came together to make the festival possible each year.