Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
FESTIVAL IRONWOOD co-Chairman Will Corcoran dumps ducks by the tubful on Thursday for what organizers have dubbed the "world's largest duck pick."
By BRYAN HELLIOS
Ironwood - People stood with hands over hearts as Festival Ironwood officially began Thursday afternoon in Depot Park.
Bob Cannon, chaplain for Ironwood's American Legion Post 5 opened the ceremony with a blessing and a prayer after Veronica Bolton sang the National Anthem.
"Eternal Father we pray to you to bless the Ironwood festival of 2019 and give us fair weather, give us patience and understanding, for all our patrons, young and old. Give us your wisdom in all of our decisions. Give a special blessing to our chairmen, Keith Johnson and Will Corcoran and the whole festival committee for all their hard work and dedication. We also ask you to keep all the vendors, the workers and the patrons safe from all harm. We humbly ask this in your holy name, Amen," Cannon said.
Once Cannon finished, Corcoran took to the stage, thanking all the people who helped bring the event to fruition.
"We would never be here without their help," he said. "I just want to thank them and all of you people for coming - have a great time for three days."
Johnson, echoed his co-chairman's comments and thanked the festival committee and all the volunteers who helped out.
"We could never do it without you," he said as he gave the order to release the ducks.
A multitude of totes filled with tiny yellow rubber ducks were hauled in and dumped into a pool filled with water. Children watched as the giant pot of ducks were stirred up, eagerly waiting to net one and claim a prize.
Event volunteers Paul and Alison Lemmons matched each duck's number to its corresponding prize.
"We have 2,500 ducks and we dump them twice," Alison explained.
Ayrianna DeRosso, 9 year old winner of a bike, said she has a bike, but already has plans for it.
"My grandma and grandpa like to have some at our house for us," she said.
Other activities for children included watching Coco and The Greatest Showman while eating popcorn in Depot Park's pavilion.
Tomorow's scheduled festivities are a catch and release trout pond, Trike and Bike Kids Show, watermelon eating contest, sand castle building and music by Dorthy and the Boys as well as Red Higgins & Yankee Train.
Wednesday's 50-50 winner is Russ Johnson who claimed $813.
Thursday's 50-50 number is 342259 and the prize amount to be claimed is $973.
