First Fridays to continue

By RALPH ANSAMI

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Ironwood — The First Friday promotional effort for downtown Ironwood businesses has been extended.

The city commission met on Monday and city manager Scott Erickson said the night gatherings have been so well received this summer that the effort has been expanded.

September was originally scheduled to be the last First Friday of the year, but the commission on Monday talked about First Fridays in October and December.

The next First Friday will be on Oct. 6 and city officials also plan one for Dec. 1, which is the Friday before the annual Jack Frost parade, which has been moved to the first Saturday in December this year, falling on Dec. 2.

First Friday promotions have followed the Farmers Markets at Depot Park and have included music in the downtown Art Park, with many stores remaining open late.

Erickson said quite a bit of planning goes into the First Friday efforts, on many fronts. “It’s a big undertaking,” he said.

On Monday, Erickson also noted there will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday at 4:30 p.m. at the Mt. Zion overlook, near the Gogebic Community College campus.

A new deck and improvements to the road leading to the overlook are completed and will be celebrated.