Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By CHARITY SMITH
Iron County residents will celebrate their heritage over the next two weeks with a variety of events, including the county fair. It all leads up to the annual Iron County Heritage Festival — a compilation of a dozen events across the county that will start this Friday and run through Aug. 15.
The festival will kick off on Friday with the Hurley Quarterback Club Golf Tournament, on Friday at 11 a.m. The golf tournament is an annual fundraiser for the Hurley football team.
The Iron County Historical Museum will host an open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday.
On Saturday morning, the Hurley Education Foundation will offer a tour of the school from 9 to 10 a.m., followed by an induction of distinguished alumni at the school auditorium at 10 a.m. The Hurley Quarterback Athletic Hall of Fame induction will be at noon.
The annual Heritage Festival parade will take on Silver Street in Hurley at 2 p.m. The parade will feature floats from various class reunions and organizations, an alumni band and the Tired Iron Antique Tractor Club, according to Hurley Chamber Director Rita Franzoi.
Prior to the parade, the Hurley Chamber will have a rock painting art in the park event. Kyle Anderson will perform at 1 p.m., take a break for the parade, and return later.
At 4 p.m., the Hurley All-Class Reunion will take place at the Eagle Bluff Golf Course.
On Wednesday, Aug. 4, Mercer will host the 41st annual Mercer Loon Day downtown, starting at 9 a.m. The event will include more than 250 artists and crafters, as well as a flea market, sidewalk sales, live music, and loon calling contest. The night before the event, on Aug. 3, a street dance will take place. For more information, visit mercerloonday.com.
The Iron County Fair will take place Aug. 5-8 at the fairgrounds in Saxon. The Iron County Fair is marketed as one of the best small county fairs in Wisconsin, according to organizers. The fair offers activities for all age groups including music, 4-H entries and a carnival.
On Aug. 7, the Turtle River Duck Race will take place at Rugger’s Landing in Mercer at 11 a.m.
Arts in Heritage Park on Silver Street returns to Hurley on Aug. 14.
Organizers have canceled the Paavo Nurmi Marathon, once planned for Aug. 14.
