Despite rain, Mercer festivals carry on

By P.J. GLISSON

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MERCER, Wis. — Persistent rain on Saturday morning reduced participation in two normally popular annual events in Mercer: the Lupine Junefest and the Mercer Bird Fest, both based in Carow Park.

However, the people who did participate did not let the weather get in the way of a good time.

That included nearly 100 bikers who chose varying Junefest routes that included the pleasure in seeing pink, purple and white lupines in full bloom along roadsides and next to various bodies of water.

Brothers Bill Wagener of Mercer and Jack Wagener of Eau Claire, were upbeat after returning wet from a 50-mile bike ride. They also were quick to point out new friends they’d made along the way: Kreg Gruben and Wendy Ochs, both of Edgerton.

The Wageners shrugged off any potential danger they may have faced in drizzly weather and claimed that a routine of regular biking helped to make them feel up for the task.

Although the day ended earlier than usual, Bird Fest activities were pretty successful with naturalists John Bates and Zach Wilson providing guided birding hikes of the Little Turtle Wildlife Area and the Turtle-Flambeau Flowage Scenic Waters Area.

Wilson and Bruce Bacon also took folks on bird-banding sessions, with Bacon hitting the jackpot by banding an eaglet during his outing on private property. The bird was plucked temporarily from his sky-high nest with the help of a mechanical lift.

Bacon, a retired wildlife biologist and master bird bander, said the band placed on the eaglet’s leg now will help bird experts to track its movements as it matures.

“It’s to see how long they live, where they migrate, if they come back to the same area each year,” said Bacon.

Wilson, who is a conservation specialist with the Iron County Land and Water Conservation Department, credited Bacon with applying for Mercer’s status as a Bird City, as recognized by Bird City Wisconsin.

“We’re really blessed to have him here,” said Wilson of Bacon.

Mercer’s Bird City status serves as a springboard for public education about birds, as well as related conservation practices.

Other birds studied during Saturday’s field trips included song sparrows and pileated woodpeckers.

The 16th annual Lupine Junefest was weaker than normal in relation to displays and attendees, but Diane O’Krongly of the Iron County Recreation Outdoor Enthusiasts — known as ICORE — was there with fellow members Mike Ondresky and Brenda Nelson.

Mike Shouldice also was present to represent MECCA Ski Club.

The Mercer Chamber of Commerce sponsored the events, and Executive Director Melissa Biszak was easy-going about the unfortunate weather.

“Sometimes it happens,” she said, pointing out that the festivals normally have a “huge” turnout.

Bikers in this year’s Junefest could choose routes of 10, 28 and 50 miles, or they could opt for a “Pick Your Own Distance” route on a paved trail.

“It’s a tour,” said Biszak in describing the nature of all choices. “It’s not an actual race.”

Hence, no records were kept of who came in first from each bike route. Instead, said Biszak, the purpose is more so to “get out — see the loop.”

The Carow Park garage provided respite with beverages and snacks, as well as raffles.

“All the riders got T-shirts,” said Biszak, who added that the public also was welcome to buy them.

The chamber director emphasized that there’s much more activity to come. “We still have all our other summer events going strong,” she said.

She concluded that another bike tour — the Mercer Fall Color Classic — is scheduled for Sept. 17 with similar choices in routes and lengths.

More information is available on the chamber website.