Bessemer 4th of July is a go

BESSEMER — The Bessemer City Council gave the organizers of local Fourth of July festivities its “blessing” Monday to go ahead with plans for this year’s events.

“I’ll be happy with absolutely anything that we can have just to bring our hometown pride back. Bring the community back together and just celebrate the Fourth of July. So anything that we can possibly have, I am grateful for,” said Linda Nelson, president of the Fourth of July organizing committee.

Nelson said normally at this time of year they would be finalizing plans, however this year she hopes to have plans put together by the end of the month.

“We are not going to do counting. We are not going to sit and count every person that comes in, but if  (Michigan Gov. Gretchen) Whitmer says that you can only have outdoor activities and the maximum amount is 300 people, well we know that more than 300 people come to the fireworks, so we would definitely have to go with Plan B,” said Nelson. “We don’t want to do anything to disobey the law, but we still want to move forward.”

Nelson said after the city council meetings, she was so excited and almost in tears because the city’s blessing was the committee’s “very first step.”

She said she has been in contact with Bessemer School District Superintendent Dan Niemi about having Fourth of July activities at the school and Massie Field once more, but the committee is waiting for school board approval. 

“That is our plan. That’s what we are aiming for,” said Nelson. “That’s the best area in town where the majority of people can congregate. That’s where Marty’s (Goldenaires) can perform.”

Bessemer’s Fourth of July activities generally span a week or more, and include a running race, games and music in the street in the evenings, and fundraising meals by various organizations. July 4 usually includes more games and races for families, parades and fireworks.

The decision to put on any one event is up to the individual event chairs, said Nelson. She confirmed that the big July 4 parade, street bowling, fireworks, and the street dance are all on.

There’s much left to do, she said. “We really have to move fast.”