Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
PERCHED UPON an antique tractor at Saturday's Fall Fest at the Gogebic County Fairgrounds in Ironwood is Jayna Tilton, 3, with her dad, Jake Tilton of Hurley. Jayna was fearless with the machines, running from one to the other to "drive" them.
By P.J. GLISSON
Ironwood - Beautiful weather, a punch of fall color, and scads of entertainment drew a large crowd of people to last Saturday's Fall Fest on the Gogebic County Fairgrounds of Ironwood.
Although the fairgrounds normally are quiet at this time of year, the annual fall fundraising event kept the grounds hopping throughout the six-hour period.
The all-purpose building was the base of activity that also spilled out along the pathway leading from the west-side parking lot to the main fair road. Pumpkins, fire engines, games, carnival booths and other fun options such as slides and a bounce house kept a steady stream of kids and adults happily occupied.
Mike Secord of Bessemer was using an antique tractor to haul wagon loads of people for a cruise around the fairgrounds. "Better to do something with them than just leave them sitting," he said of the variety of other antique tractors on display.
Within a petting zoo were the children of Kristen Brown of Brule, Wisconsin. Carson, 3, and Callia, 18 months, were scampering with delight inside of a pen containing several goats that Sarah Nelson of Ironwood had brought for the occasion. The goats were quite patient with their visitors, allowing for regular pets and hugs while occasionally taking time out for a few friendly head butts among themselves.
The all-purpose building also was brimming with activity, including a vendor and craft fair, a silent auction, concessions, a cake walk, and all manner of art projects. Live music by the band Lake Effect was expected later in the afternoon.
Sandy Palomaki was among many people inside, engaging in a variety of art projects. She was coloring with her kids, Hunter, 9, and Jasmine, 7, and her own mother Pamela Kivi. They are all of Bessemer.
All profits from the fall fundraiser will go to maintain and improve the buildings at the Gogebic County Fairgrounds.
Sponsoring the event were the Gogebic County Board of Commissioners, the Gogebic County Fair Board, the Gogebic County 4-H and the Michigan State University Extension Office, the Gogebic/Ontonagon Great Start Collaborative, and other community members.
