Take your pick of Fourth of July celebrations

By MEGAN HUGHES

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GOGEBIC RANGE — The Fourth of July is quickly approaching, and with all of the fun happening in the area, The Globe has rounded up a list of major celebrations, including parades, fireworks and community gatherings on the horizon.

Gogebic County

Bessemer

On Saturday, Bessemer is starting the day with its annual Hometown Walk/Run at 8:30 a.m. at Bessemer City Hall. At 1 p.m., a mud run will be held at The Pits on North Moore Street in Bessemer.

On Sunday, worship in Bluff Valley Park begins at 9 a.m., and the 3 x 3 basketball tournament on Mary Street begins at the same time. At 4 p.m. people will gather on Massie Field for the Bessemer Home Run Derby.

On July 3, the community will be busy with live music on Sophie Street starting at 1 p.m. and a polka dance occurring at Bessemer VFW Post 3673 from 1-4 p.m. The day will wrap up with street dances on Sophie Street, a children’s street dance from 7-8 p.m., and a main dance beginning at 8 p.m.

July 4 will feature family games and races on Massie Field from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. The children’s parade starts at 1:30 p.m., with lineup beginning at 1 p.m. by the City Hall. The Bessemer parade begins at 7 p.m. At the end of the parade, the winning 50/50 number will be announced.

Following the parade, people will flock to Massie Field for the annual Marty’s Goldenaires Concert at 9:15 p.m. and the “Thunder on the Mountain” fireworks at 10 p.m.

For a full list of activities, check out pages 8 and 9 in the June 20 edition of the Globe.

Bessemer Township/Ramsay

The Ramsay Fourth of July celebration will be held during the evening of July 2 behind the Bessemer Township Hall and overlooking Black River. The street dance begins at 6 p.m. with DJ music. Around mid-evening, Marty’s Goldenaires will perform. Other activities will include concessions, face painting, and the announcement of the 50/50 winner prior to the “Rumble Over the River” fireworks at dusk.

Wakefield

The Wakefield Fourth of July celebration begins on Friday at 5 p.m., with the Matt Ahonen Memorial Softball Tournament. On Saturday and Sunday, the tournament starts at 9 a.m.

July 3 is the Wakefield “Forchuly” Open House from 1 to 4 p.m.

The Wakefield Town Picnic also is set for July 3, starting at noon at the John Siira Pavilion in Eddy Park. A concert will be held at the old Eddy Park Pavilion starting at 7 p.m. The “Lightning on the Lake” fireworks display over Sunday Lake will begin at 10 p.m.

July 4 will be full of activities, such as the Sunday Lake Walk/Run beginning at 8 a.m. and the Fourth of July Parade beginning at 1 p.m. at Cormier’s Corner. The children’s parade will run from noon to 1 p.m. with lineup at the intersection of Ashlund and U.S. 2.

A full list of activities can be seen on pages 8 and 9 of this issue.

Watersmeet Township

Watersmeet Township will start its holiday celebration early with fireworks at dusk on Saturday. Viewing will be possible from the downtown park pavilion.

The remainder of the celebration will occur on July 5, one day after the holiday. A kiddie and pet parade will be held at 12:30 p.m. and the main parade will be at 1 p.m. Both will take place on the main street, which is concurrent with U.S. 45.

From 1:30 to 4:40 p.m., a community picnic will be held with live music, games and more at the Lac Vieux Desert Plaza.

Marenisco

Township

On July 4, Marenisco Township will hold its parade at 11 a.m. starting at the county garage and heading to Fair Avenue, which is concurrent with M-64. Games and food will be available throughout the day, followed by fireworks at Kimberly Field at dusk.

The 50/50 drawing will take place on July 5 at noon at the Marenisco Town Hall.

On July 6, the township also will hold its 2nd annual Marenisco Music Festival from noon to 10 p.m. in the pavilion between Fair Avenue and Hall Street. Food and beverages will be available that day as well.

Ontonagon County

Greenland

The Greenland Fourth of July celebrations will be held after the holiday on July 6. The parade on Plank Road will begin at noon ET, followed by live music, games and concessions in the adjacent park.

Fireworks will be held at dusk.

For details, visit page 10 of this issue.

Bruce Crossing

Bruce Crossing is planning its celebrations for July 6. Featured will be a street market from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and a parade at 11 a.m. ET with the theme of “Made in America.”

The parade will be on the main street, which is concurrent with U.S. 45. Fireworks will be held at dusk. For a more detailed list of activities, visit page 10 of this issue.

Iron County

Mercer

Mercer’s Fourth of July celebration begins at 11 a.m. on July 4 with a parade along the main street, which is concurrent with U.S. 51. Afterward, there will be activities in Carow Park from 2 p.m. until dusk, when fireworks will occur. For more information, visit page 10 of this issue.