Bessemer Blast concludes with parade, fireworks

BESSEMER - A low flying plane made three passes at tree-top level, right down Sophie Street, initiating the start of Bessemer's Fourth of July parade Tuesday evening. It was all a prelude to the Bessemer Blast parade and the Thunder on the Mountain fireworks show later at Massie Field.

A large crowd had gathered on a sunny evening, as the Memory Lane Car Cruise broke the ice, showcasing their late model automobiles along the parade route.

Detective Sergeant Jeremy Hauswirth, from Michigan State Police Gladstone Post, donned a retro uniform and rode a horse in the parade at Wakefield Post commander Lt. Don Horn's request, as this year marks the MSP's centennial. Hauswirth accompanied many other elements of law enforcement in the parade, but was the only one on horseback.

The Bessemer, Ironwood and Wakefield-Marenisco high school marching bands did their thing, at different spots in the parade, showcasing their talent. The bands played music while others twirled flags - all to entertain the crowd. A fourth band, the Janesville Fife and Drum Corp, dressed in Revolutionary-era garb, marched in the parade to the sound of drums, flutes and muscat fire.

Smokey Bear made an appearance, riding in the back of a U.S. Forest Service vehicle, waving to the crowd - reminding "Only you can prevent forest fires."

Two ladies from One Time Functions Entertainment delighted youngsters while on their stilts. The stilted ladies invited groups of young children closer to give each of them a high five, before moving to the next crowd of young children.

A half dozen large tractors of different makes and models, rumbled down the parade route. The tractors, part of the Lake Superior Tired Iron Club showed the evolution in tractors and technology.

State Rep. Scott Dianda, running for state senate, and Kent Sommers, running for state representative, each had a car in the parade and threw out hand fulls of candy. U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman from Michigan's 1st District also had a car in the parade.

Parade judges awarded honors in four categories:

-Best Decorated Float went to the Gustafson family.

-Most Patriotic Float went to the Citrus Bowl Dancers.

-Most Unique Float was awarded to the Knaack family for their tribute to Joseph Knaack, who died in a motorcycle accident last year and the family wants to raise motorcycle safety awareness.

- Best Float Promotion was given to the Bessemer Little League for their float thanking the community for its support.

The winning 50-50 raffle ticket was drawn right before the parade the number was announced on the last float. The winning ticket No. 06330 will bring $34,861.