Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
ON THE night of July 4, a fireworks show known as "Thunder on the Mountain" offers a rainbow of colors to close out a 9-day celebration of Independence Day in Bessemer. The Bessemer Volunteer Fire Department provided the show, which was staged from two different locations - from the base of Massie Field, where a huge crowd gathered to watch, and from the adjacent bluff area. The razzle and dazzle followed an equally well-received performance by Marty's Goldenaires Drum and Bugle Corps.
By PAMELA JANSSON
Bessemer - As the premier Fourth of July celebration on the Gogebic Range, the Bessemer Blast sets itself up each year for big expectations.
And, despite the threat of rain, this year's 9-day bash was no exception in fulfilling them.
The revelry came to a grand finale on July 4 with an evening parade, which was also the largest in the region, featuring numerous entries, including floats, classic cars, tractors, kids' sports teams, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, the "Class of 1994," public safety vehicles, 50/50 ticket sellers, and representation from local businesses, organizations, political candidates and - most important of all - area veterans who make the celebration possible.
Providing ongoing music and energy were the A.D. Johnston Junior and Senior High School Band, the Luther L. Wright High School Band, the Gogebic Range Band, the Janesville Fife and Drum Corps, and Marty's Goldenaires Drum and Bugle Corps.
Marty's got additional recognition by way of a float that included a group of people dressed in T-shirts with the corps' name. That unit won the "most creative" float award.
One of the float riders, Laura Westeen of Bessemer, described the group as "just friends" of the corps, with the intent of "just being supportive."
The camaraderie of that group was evident among the crowd at large, which frequently cheered or called out appreciation to everyone in the parade.
"We love the crowd," said Eda Wilson, secretary of the Janesville, Wisconsin, corps. "This is the best crowd."
After a mini performance downtown at the end of the parade, Marty's Goldenaires Drum and Bugle Corps provided a full concert at Massie Field
"Hello Bessemer!" shouted longstanding director Dan Pitrone, who co-directs the corps with his son, Dustin Pitrone.
The corps played patriotic songs such as "The Armed Forces Medley," as well as several pop or rock songs from various eras, along with opportunities for both horns and percussion to dazzle.
The huge crowd sang along, in particular, to "I Can't Help Falling in Love with You."
Pitrone asked the crowd to give a round of applause for event co-directors Linda Nelson and Mark Malmberg.
The night culminated in a colorful "Thunder on the Mountain" show of fireworks, courtesy of the Bessemer Volunteer Fire Department.
