Summer celebration

By MEGAN HUGHES

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Ironwood - Crowds flocked to Ironwood to celebrate the ever-popular annual Festival Ironwood this past week. Four days of festivities included food, music and other live performances, games for young and old, a craft fair and car show.

The live music and food kicked off on Wednesday, July 12, under the big tent and continued every day and into the evenings.

Opening ceremonies were held on Thursday with the assistance of the Ironwood American Legion Post 5. Richie Yurkovich and Polkariety provided music and people hit the dance floor under the tent.

While the Polka Fest was going on, the Friends of Festival Ironwood held their annual grilled chicken feed, which, according to organizers Will Corcoran and Keith Johnson, is always popular.

The big duck pick for prizes began on Thursday afternoon, with a crowd wrapped around the depot as children waited for their chance to win prizes in the form of toys and even bikes.

Thursday also included a youth sand volleyball tournament.

Friday was Kids Day with lots of games including a bounce house, trout pond and mechanical bull. The trout pond was extremely popular through the day. According to organizers, this year the fish were delivered at 7 p.m. the day before, after the pond had been filled by Ironwood Public Safety. When a fish was caught, kids could take it to a nearby table to have it cleaned to take home for a meal, or they could release it back into the pond.

For adults, there were cornhole and outdoor pool tournaments.

Besides more food and beverages under the tent, there was live music performed through the afternoon, with bands such as the Piano Man and the Tamster, Red Higgins, and Branded: Hot Country performing into the night.

Saturday, as the final day of the festival, had the most number of events and drew the largest crowds. Kicking off early with the 30th annual Walk, Run and Roll with 2-mile and 5-mile courses along city streets and the Iron Belle Trail.

The Ironwood high school ski team hosted a pancake breakfast early in the morning as vendors set up for the arts and crafts show which lasted into mid-afternoon.

Of course there was more food and music under the tent including Flash Back and the Gogebic Range Concert Band. There were performances by area dance studios and more music offered by DJ Todd Haeger.

The day also included an adult sand volleyball tournament, more outdoor billiards, and the Old Depot Car Show with cars lined up on both sides of Lowell Street with with their hoods open, giving other car enthusiasts a peek underneath. There were 132 entries. After awards were given out, the cars held a parade through Ironwood and Hurley.

Marty's Goldenaires performed under the big top in the evening, drawing a crowd of cheering fans who surrounded the tent to listen to them play. They performed a variety of songs for the crowd, including a number of patriotic pieces.

The day ended with a performance by the White House Players at the tent.

Raffle numbers

Festival Ironwood drew raffle numbers each day for cash prizes. These numbers include: Wednesday - No. 021207 for a total of $1,232; Thursday - No. 533907 for a total of $1,841; Friday - No. 540201 for a total of $3,545; and Saturday - No. 736305 for a total of $4,625.

Car show awards

-Best In Show: 1955 Chevy 210 Sedan, Duane Dennis, Ishpeming.

-People's Choice: 1973 Chevy Nova, Gary Tummins, Ironwood.

-Kid's Choice: 1955 Willy's Overland, Josh Shipferling, Bessemer.

-Chip Tippett Memorial: 1932 Ford Roadster, Jeff Richards, Mercer.

-Bill Tippett Memorial: 1970 Ford Torino GT, Bill Beyer, Mercer.

-Lil' Swede Memorial: 1959 Ford Galaxy, Ryan Koski of Ironwood.

-Bubba Tregembo Memorial: 1966 Ford Mustang Fastback, Randy Herrin, Glidden, Wisconsin.

-Joe Zarimba Memorial: 1963 Buick Special, Jared Stone, Wakefield.

-Most Likely to Get Pulled Over: 1938 Ford Truck, Andy Tijan, Hurley.

-Farthest Distance Travelled: 2022 Chevy Camaro, Rick Tippett, Pensacola, Florida.

-1940 and older: 1930 Ford Model A, Jerry and Carol Pisani, Hurley.

-1941-1954: 1947 Dodge Custom, Peter Ryskelwecz, Ironwood.

-1955-1964: 1958 Edsel Corsair, Holm Family, Ironwood.

-1965-1970: 1968 Plymouth GTX, Brain Tousignant, Ironwood.

-1971-1980: 1972 Chevrolet Chevelle SS, Lanny Tibaldo, De Pere, Wisconsin.

-1980-present: 2007 Saturn Sky, Leon and Donna Long, Rib Lake, Wisconsin.

-Street Rods 1900-1949: 1941 Willy's Coupe, Lance Lewandowski, Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin.

-Street Machines 1950-present: 1955 Chevrolet Sedan, Duane Dennis, Ishpeming.

-Muscle Cars through 1990 - 1973 Dodge Charger, Bob Ofstad, Hurley.

-Modern Muscle Cars 1991-present - 2008 Ford Mustang GT, Don and Donna Reinerio, Pence, Wisconsin.

-Special Interest - 1966 VW Camper Bus, Jeff Lalatoris, Bessemer.

- Under Construction - 1930 Ford Model A, Scott Carslon, Ironwood.

- Stock Trucks - 1986 Chevrolet 1 K-10, Mike Magdziak, Hurley.

- Modified Trucks - 1948 International KB, Paul Lambori, Montreal.

- Customs - 1957 Chevrolet Belaire, Jack Malovrh, Wakefield.

- Motorcyles - 2004 Harley-Davidson Softail, Jory Vernetti, Gurney.

- Imports - 1961 MG Midget, Darryl Kosma, Ironwood.

-Rat Rods - 1948 Studebaker, Tom and Tina Immonen, Trimountain.

-Tractors - 1939 Ford SN, Kinslee Kuduk, Amherst, Wisconsin.

-Vintage Snowmobiles - 1973 Sno-Pony, Andy Kovelsky, Ironwood.

-UTV-ATV - 2022 Polaris RZR PRO, Darrin Jarvenpaa, Ironwood.