Festival Ironwood to celebrate 25 years

IRONWOOD - Festival Ironwood opens Wednesday at Depot Park and surrounding locations in downtown Ironwood.

Co-chairs Will Corcoran and Keith Johnson visited the Globe Thursday to discuss the event and how the Bergquist family really got the ball rolling 25 years ago and it has grown ever since.

Corcoran stressed, "There is something for everyone at the events and most events are free." Johnson added the 30 to 50 volunteers working behind the scenes really allow Festival Ironwood to happen, from initial set-up to the taking down of the tent Saturday night after the last concert and final 50/50 draw.

Corcoran said last year they gave away 20 bicycles with the Duck Pick and he has another 20 to offer this year.

The Duck Pick is a huge draw and attraction and the pool holds roughly 2,500 ducks. This year two new volunteers are manning the Duck Pick, having stepped up to fill the vacancy when the last volunteers experienced health problems.

Daily 50/50 raffles are also popular.

Things will get rolling on Wednesday evening with "An Evening of Bluegrass" under the tent from 5 to 10 p.m. There will also be food, refreshments, a bouncy house for the kids and the weekly Fat Tire Club will begin their ride from the park at 6.

Thursday's opening ceremony will have a presentation of the colors, a blessing, and will feature the "releasing of the ducks," according to Johnson. The tent that houses many of the events is going up Monday and, weather-dependent, will keep everyone dry for the five-day event.

Corcoran said the turn-out when the weather is good has been excellent, but for events held outside, the weather can have an understandable effect.

Last year's volleyball tournament brought out 12 teams dueling in the sand.

The bean bag toss/cornhole tournament saw 40 teams competing, while at anytime there might be 1,500-plus people downtown at the festival, listening to music, shopping, and eating, said Corcoran.

Corcoran expects 1,500 to 2,000 people alone for the XTRA concert Saturday night under the Big Top.

Corcoran and Johnson said people should take three or four days off from work, stress, or politics and enjoy the community at Festival Ironwood.

While politicians cannot be stopped from showing up and kissing babies, the event is designed as a politics-free environment without any distractions from the world interfering with people's fun and community.

Class reunions and Company B(-) of the 107th Combat Engineer battalion are welcome.