Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
KLASSIC KRUISERS Car Club members motor along Sophie Street in downtown Bessemer preparing the way for Tuesday evening's Fourth of July parade.
By MEGAN HUGHES
Bessemer - This year's Bessemer Blast Fourth of July celebration drew quite a crowd to Sophie Street on Tuesday evening, even as the threat of rain lingered overhead.
Crowds began to gather at 5 p.m. as organizers set up barricades.
After a cruise of the parade by members of the Klassic Kruisers Car Club, the parade officially began shortly after 7, led by the Michigan State Police and Gogebic County Sheriff's Department, followed closely by an honor guard of veterans carrying the American and other flags.
Area high school bands marched and played in the parade, also performing at the judges stand. The Gogebic Range Concert Band also played from its large float.
A long line of floats and vehicles were decorated by various organizations and local businesses.
Some of the other highlights included the procession of tractors from the Lake Superior Tired Iron Club, as well as a Fife and Drum corps from Janesville, Wisconsin, with period costumes and muskets firing.
The final performance was given by Marty's Goldenaires Drum and Bugle Corps, as the crowd poured into the street to listen up close, snap some pictures and dance along with the music. Marty's played a mix of patriotic songs, as well as more modern pop and funk music.
This year's winning ticket number for the Bessemer 50/50 raffle was 68798. This year's 50/50 winner will be able to pick up the prize of $48,259 from the Credit Union in Bessemer.
Following the parade, people flooded into Massie Field to hear a concert by Marty's before the big fireworks display at dusk.
