Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
P.J. Glisson/Daily Globe PERFORMING WITH their usual panache at Saturday evening's Independence Day festivities in Ramsay are members of Marty's Goldenaires, under the direction of Dan Pitrone at left.
RAMSAY - It could be said that the crowd at Ramsay's Independence Day celebration was so full of energy that no pyrotechnics show was even needed.
However, the actual fireworks - aptly named "Rumble Over the River" - also were awesome.
Saturday's festivities, which started at 6 p.m. and lasted the rest of the evening, attracted hundreds of friendly folks - several with cowboy hats adorned with U.S. flags - who gathered along the entire length of Main Street.
Behind the Bessemer Township Fire Hall, a canopy tent was set up to house SLAB Band, whose live music had people either dancing on the pavement in front of the band or at least bopping their heads, strutting and singing along to one lively tune after another.
"Are we having fun yet?" asked keyboardist Lance Dickinson at a point when the answer was quite clear.
Two additional, larger tents were filled with picnic tables for people enjoying a wide range of treats, including hot sandwiches, pasty nuggets, loaded nachos, popcorn and various beverages.
Additional people spilled into any adjacent grassy areas and into Ramsay Memorial Park, where kids explored the shoreline of Black River and tried out playground equipment.
Entertainment by Marty's Goldenaires was a highly anticipated part of the night, with many people asking when and where the members would perform.
"We come every year to see Marty's," said Elaine Williams of Nebraska. "We love them."
Elaine said she's been married for 55 years to Jim Williams, who is formerly of Bessemer.
She said they were visiting her sister-in-law, Elaine Hocking, in Ramsay.
Dozens of cameras flew out as members of Marty's made their traditional march down the street, after which their combination of patriotic, pop and polka songs drew wild cheers, claps and whistles.
Just before the fireworks, the winning 50/50 number of 3462 was announced, but no winner came forward at that time. The winner must present a ticket stub to claim the prize.
Teased by prior sparklers, the much-appreciated fireworks by the Ramsay Fourth of July Committee and the Bessemer Township Volunteer Fire Department were the perfect cap to the full evening, ultimately filling the sky with massive bursts of color.
