Full of firsts: All day First Friday holds snowman making competition

By TOM LAVENTURE

tlaventure@yourdailyglobe.com

Ironwood - There were a lot of firsts for the March First Friday events in downtown Ironwood.

It was the first all-day First Friday rather than limiting the activities until evening hours. It was also the first snowman building contest for the kids over at Depot Park.

Around 35 kids worked separately or in groups on more than 20 snow building projects at Depot Park, said Jeff Nielsen, of the event sponsor Ironwood Masonic Lodge No. 389.

"It was a suggestion and we just decided to run with it," Nielsen said. "It's for the kids to get them outside and enjoy the day."

Morgan McCrae, 8, Elah Roberts, 8, and Haley McCrae, 11, all of Ironwood, won first-place for their "Snowman Skier." The three packed snow inside a shirt, used a snow-filled helmet with goggles for a head and accessorized the project to the last detail down to the ski poles and lift ticket.

Olivia Peterson won the $50 second place prize for her "Upside-down Snowman."

There were also third and fourth place prize winners but all the children went home with something to remember their hard work.

The staff of the Ironwood Dollar Tree store served as judges. Branden Nielsen of Branden's Lawn Care donated funds for the prizes.

"It's a beautiful day out," he said. "I hope they have fun, building some snow-mans."

The directions were clear. "Anything goes."

Sophia Green, 9, let the instructions fuel her imagination like an engineer. She started building a wall of snow around her that could have been an igloo, a fortification, or something else entirely.

Sophie's father, Ron "Coach" Green, of Ironwood, said he thought she was building a bike garage. They just came from the trails and they were talking about places to put bikes.

"It's a snowman home," Sophie finally revealed. "I'm going to put snowmen in here."

Bridgette Streve, 10, of Bessemer, built her "Candyman" snowman with candy used for buttons and facial features.

There were around three St. Patrick's Day related snowmen. Kerry Hill watched as Norah Yurchak, 8, Alizeya Chiapuzio, 7, created their "St. Paddy's Snowman."

"We're trying to get him there," Hill said.

Skylee Chiapuzio said her St. Patrick's Day snowman was "Mr. Green."

There was also an Easter bunny snowman complete with a basket and ears.

Alizeya Chiapuzio, 7, created what was probably the skinniest snowman of the day.

"It's "Mr. Frosty," Alizeya said.

Axel Hollenbeck, 8, Ironwood, climbed up a tall snowbank and carefully went about creating a bear snowman.

"The kids went all out and I give them a lot of credit," he said. "I also want to thank everyone who showed up and helped."

Several members of Ironwood Masonic Lodge No. 389 were on hand to provide kids with whatever support they could provide. They said the lodge has its own functions to include an annual golf outing and an Easter egg hunt at Depot Park in partnership with the Lions Club.

Other lodge projects include the Child ID program, and Books for Bikes, which inspired area kids to read more than 500 books last year. The next lodge meeting will include discussion on future First Friday sponsorship and projects, he said.

"We have been part of First Friday at the Lodge but it's a little off the path for downtown events," Neilsen said. "So, we decided, well let's go out to the people then."

Around the downtown there were "Craft Your North" arts and craft events, the art walk and pop-up shops in several participating businesses. There was a winter cookout and Finnish American wood carver Peter Olson, along with live music in local taverns.