Ironwood's Jack Frost Festival returns

By MEGAN HUGHES

news@yourdailyglobe.com

Ironwood - Ironwood's Jack Frost Festival began last week with the lighting of the community Christmas tree in the Historic Depot Park. A group of locals enjoyed the warm weather on Thursday as chamber officials lit the new lights on the 60 foot tree in the downtown park.

The brief lighting ceremony included a performance of singers from the Ironwood high school, and a short speech from mayor Kim Corcoran.

People gathered in the depot, which doubles as historical museum and chamber office, for cookies, conversation and other holiday goodies.

It was the beginning of many events to come put on by a variety of area organizations through the winter season.

On Friday, the Historic Ironwood Theatre will be showing "All Time," a Warren Miller film of thrilling skiing at locations around the world. The annual event acts as a fundraiser to support local youth ski programs. The film is at 5 p.m.

Dec. 1 marks "Frost Friday" with a vendor crawl from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., art and craft vendors spread across various businesses. The Ironwood Carnegie Library will be having "Make and Take Crafts" at the library from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and a story walk with pages posted in business windows.

Saturday, Dec. 2 is a big day, with a number of Jack Frost events scheduled ranging from a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus at Incredible Bank from 1 to 3 p.m. to the annual Festival of Lights parade downtown at 6 p.m. Parade entries are due by Nov. 27 at the chamber office.

Some of the other Dec. 2 events include: the Jack Frost $10,000 raffle drawing will take place between 2 and 3 p.m .; the Ironwood Carnegie Library open house from 5:30 to 6 p.m. with cookies and hot cider; the Santa Dash on Aurora Street starts at 5:30 p.m., just before the Jack Frost Parade, from the Library; and finally, the Gogebic Range Band will perform a Christmas concert after the parade at 7:15 p.m. in the Historic Ironwood Theatre.

Some of the other events include:

-The Chamber Singers Christmas concert at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church at 7 p.m. on Dec. 7 and 1 p.m. on Dec. 10.

-"The Wizards of Winter Christmas Rock Opera" concert at the Historic Ironwood Theatre on Dec. 13.

-Ironwood Township Christmas for Kids from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 16 at the Ironwood Township Hall.

-Sisu Ski Fest will be on Jan. 5-6 this season, with races beginning on Jan. 6 at ABR Ski Trails and ending downtown. Registration on Jan. 5 at the Memorial Building in Ironwood from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

-Ironwood's Depot Dash for kids is set for Jan. 5.

-The annual "Light Up the Night" tree burning event is set for Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. at the Norrie Amateur Sports Club.

For a full schedule of events, visit the Ironwood chamber's page: ironwoodchamber.org.