Festival Ironwood closes with high praise

By P.J. GLISSON and TOM LAVENTURE

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Ironwood - After a long weekend that was jam-packed with a wide range of activities, Festival Ironwood came to a close and was declared a resounding triumph.

"It was a huge success," said Keith Johnson on Monday, while Will Corcoran added, "We had actually record crowds."

The two men co-chaired the event, which was blessed by great weather, as well as an abundance of local citizens delighted to be out and about after prolonged restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We took every precaution we possibly could," said Corcoran regarding continuing pandemic concerns. He said there was frequent cleaning of tables and assured, "We just wanted to be sure we were doing everything right."

All of the planning seemed to pay off as the Saturday crowd wandered from one feature to another in and around Depot Park.

"We try to have music and activities for all age groups," said Johnson.

Moreover, said Corcoran, "All the events were way up."

He added that the festival is offered at no cost to the community. "It's free for everybody," he said, despite the fact that, in his estimation, "It costs roughly now just shy of $30,000 to run this."

Saturday began with a "Star-Spangled Banner" ceremony by the Honor Guard of Ironwood American Legion Post 5, and the Walk, Run and Roll event.

The Old Depot Car Show ran throughout the day, along with an Arts & Crafts Show that included mini-tented shops scattered throughout the Depot lawn, as kids enjoyed the World's Largest Duck Pick.

A massive blue-and-white striped tent - referred to as "the Big Top" - was filled with an ongoing happy crowd, enjoying concessions from various community groups. There was music as well, starting with Clean Cut Kyle & the Longhairs throughout the morning.

Bryce and Owen Lehrkamp, 6 and 3 respectively, of Gurney, Wisconsin, and their grandma, Jan Lehrkamp of Des Moines, Iowa, were among those who danced.

Performing throughout the rest of the day and evening were the Gogebic Range Band, dancers from combined area dance companies, DJ music by Todd Haegar and Marty's Goldenaires Drum and Bugle Corps, with the band XTRA playing late into the evening.

The Brite Spot of Hurley won the volleyball tournament, according to organizer Rachael Stengard.

An outdoor pool tournament took place under cover of the Depot roof. Organizer Gary Ryskewecz said he's been running that event for 22 years with the support of his wife, Karen.

"It's been a great week," she said.

Friday partners winners were Rod Vlach and Darrin Wales. Vlach also was the Saturday singles competition.

Jean Smith of Ironwood and her friends, Jesse and Kathy Carlson of Negaunee, were among those enjoying a strawberry social offered by the Ironwood Business and Professional Women's Club. "We used to live here," said Kathy, who explained that they still like to visit the area.

The festival's daily 50/50 drawings continued. On Friday the prize was $2,800 and on Saturday the prize was $3,800, said Corcoran, who noted that those numbers were double what they'd been in the past. Winners' names were not available at press time.

Johnson said the festival, which began last Wednesday, came to a formal close with a Sunday morning church service at the new downtown city square.

Looking back on the entire event, Corcoran said, "It's a lot of work, but we enjoy doing it."

He added of volunteers, "The people that help us are unbelievable. They made us look really good."

Johnson also praised everyone who helped to set up all activities. "We've got great volunteers," he said. "They take an idea and they run with it."

Both men also thanked sponsors and the general public. As Johnson concluded, "Thank you for coming out and supporting Festival Ironwood 2021."

On Friday, the festival's focus was on the kids.

Jean Johnson, of Ironwood, said she brought youngsters to attend the children's activities while she chatted with friends.

Justin Valzoa, owner of ACA Jumps, an amusement company in Iron Mountain, said he brought his mechanical bull, an inflatable obstacle course and an inflatable jump house for the kids.

"It went really good, all day long," Valzoa said. "Even when we said we were done, they kept racing through the obstacle course and they all wanted to still ride the bull to get that last chance."

Under the shade of the Depot Park shelter, the staff of the Michigan State University-Extension provided more activities for the kids. The kids drew designs on sandpaper and used a crayon rubbing technique to transfer their artwork onto a fabric about the size of a handkerchief.

Shelly Roncali, a master gardener at her first fair with Range Master Gardeners, showed kids how to plant herbs in their own tiny greenhouse to care for and grow at home.

The fair is an opportunity to broaden the program and membership, she said. Adults were also encouraged to take gardening classes with Extension and to volunteer with public garden projects. 

"We would really like to have a lot more people join our group and so we can educate more people on how to have a garden and how to enjoy it," Roncali said. 

H.O.P.E. Animal Shelter staff and volunteers were onsite to showcase the animals and make people aware of their services, said Leann Jahnson, board member. "It's just the way to show what we've got here and it's a fundraiser for the animals since we're a nonprofit. So every little bit helps to feed and care for the animals."

Randy Kirchhoff, H.O.P.E. director, worked with other volunteers in running a food booth in support of the animal shelter. He said it was a great experience to be serving bratwursts, nachos and grilled cheese sandwiches to people who are excited to be out in public again.

The crowds are happy to come out and support the shelter, in addition to the adjoining food booth operated by the Little League, he said.

Gary Gruenke, director of the Knights of Columbus 1396 Ironwood Council, said their volunteer numbers are dwindling with an aging membership. The K.C.'s held their fish fry on Friday but have turned over the Saturday pancake breakfast to other organizations.

"We're always looking for young, good members, and it's a great organization," he said, adding that the Knights of Columbus is the largest fraternal organization in the world.

"Weather means everything for these festivals and we've been blessed with beautiful weather," Gruenke said.

Joe Rimkus and other Aurora Club volunteers showed up to help the American Legion with their food booth. This is the first year they've helped out the Legion by serving, but they come to the festival every year, he said.

"We said 'definitely,' us and the Norrie Club, both," he said of helping out the Legion.

Ironwood Chamber Director Michael Meyer said on Friday that the festival was a great success no matter how you measure it. 

He said there were a lot of travelers stopping in to pick up brochures and maps say they are enjoying the festival as well.

Brittany Khoury, of Ironwood, said the festival committee did a good job with providing a variety of activities for everyone.

"It's just a great atmosphere, good food, good people," she said. "It's just a lot of fun. Very nice."