Ontonagon plans for Labor Day Festival

ONTONAGON — The 65th annual Labor Day Festival returns in full this year with parades, the Maxwell Street sale, music and a race. The festival will be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with most of the activity on River Street.

The festival opens Friday with a community picnic at 5 p.m. at Marina Park featuring free hot dogs, pop and chips. There will be a display of rescue vehicles, Michigan State Police and Ontonagon County Sheriff’s Office vehicles, and the Aspirus helicopter if weather permits.

Maxwell Street opens with a bang at 10 a.m. Saturday, with vendors from many areas showing and selling their wares.

The Labor Day Committee, led by Margo Anderson and Tanya Weisinger, have arranged music all day on River Street. Some of the area’s favorite musicians will be performing, including Ridge Lightening, featuring Mike Urbis.

A car show returns at 10 a.m., as well as children’s games. At noon, the Kiddies parade, led by the Clown Band of Houghton, will parade down the street. Each child will receive a prize and there will be special prizes for winners in walking, bike, small and larger pulling floats categories.

Saturday night fireworks will light the sky at dark. Last year, fireworks were something committee members felt they could offer as part of the scaled down celebration, as it allowed for socially distant viewing. It was so well received, the Labor Day Committee agreed to spend the money and bring fireworks back this year.

Sunday, will start early with the Ed Hansen 5K and 10K race. Registration at the fire hall is from 8:45 to 9:45 a.m., with the race starting at 10 a.m. Registration can also be made online. The route will be familiar to return runners and includes a stretch along Lake Superior.

The Labor Day Parade starts down River Street at 2 p.m.

Marty’s Goldenaires Drum and Bugle Corps will return for the parade and present a concert at the reviewing stand following the parade.

Also on Sunday, the Community Festival begins at the Recreational Center following the parade. Food, music, games and refreshments will be featured. The 50-50 drawing will be held at 8 p.m.

— Jan Tucker