Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
THE A.D. Johnston Junior and Senior High School Marching Band and Color Guard rehearse Monday on East Iron Street in Bessemer. The band is preparing for performances Wednesday at 7 p.m. on Sophie Street, and during the Fourth of July Parade at 6 p.m. Thursday.
By LARRY HOLCOMBE
Boom! Bang! Kaboom!
Fourth of July celebrations have already started across the region, but they will kick into high gear the next few days.
Bessemer's week of revelry included a lot of food, music, fun and games over the weekend. Things will continue apace this evening with a long list of games and other activities for young and old on Sophie Street. Among the activities will be street bowling at 6 p.m., a children's dance at 7, water balloon toss at 7:30 and Simon Says game at 8.
Wednesday's activities will include the annual domino fall in the A.D. Johnston High School gym at 6 p.m., before another list of games on Sophie Street that evening, followed by a street dance.
On Thursday, Bessemer's Fourth of July includes family games and races at Massie Field at 9:30 a.m., a children's parade at 1:30 p.m., the grand parade at 7, and then a concert by Marty's Goldenaires Drum and Bugle Corps at Massie Field after the parade before the fireworks at 10.
Ramsay
Bessemer Township's Fourth of July celebration is tonight. There will be music in Memorial Park beginning at 6 p.m., along with concessions. Marty's Goldenaires will perform at 8 p.m., followed by fireworks at 10.
Wakefield
The celebration gets rolling in Wakefield with a busy Wednesday, including an open house at the Michigan State Police post from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The town picnic starts at noon in Eddy Park, which will be ground zero for many activities through the afternoon and evening including music by several groups, kids games at 1, cardboard boat races at 3, and home run derby at the Little League field at 3.
The music, food and fun will continue into the evening, capped by fireworks over Sunday Lake at 10.
Thursday morning will include the annual Sunday Lake Run, with registration from 6:45 to 7:45 a.m. before the race at 8. There's also an open house at the Historical Society from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The children's parade begins at 1 p.m. on Sunday Lake Street from the Fire Hall, while the big parade also begins at 1, but from Cormier's Corner.
The day continues with children's races after the parade in the play yard west of the school.
Marenisco
Marenisco kicks off its three days of celebration on Wednesday with a golf tournament at Gateway Golf Club in Land O'Lakes at 8:30 a.m.
On Thursday, there will be food, fun and games, including the parade at 11 a.m. featuring Marty's Goldenaires. A variety of games for young and old will begin at noon on the Township Hall grounds and at the Pavilion, continuing into the afternoon.
Fireworks are set for dusk at Kimberly Field.
On Friday, action moves to Lake Gogebic where there will be a free picnic lunch at the Gogebic County Park in the pavilion. Wiffle ball and kayak races are planned for the afternoon.
Mercer
The Fourth of July celebration in Mercer kicks off Wednesday evening with a street dance downtown from 7 to 10 p.m.
Thursday opens with the annual Run for a Vet 5.1-K and 1.1-mile walk/run. Registration is at 7 a.m., followed by the race at 8 on the MECCA trails.
The parade, with the theme "America to the Moon and Back - 50 years" begins at 11 a.m.
The action shifts to Carow Park with food, music and games for families beginning at noon and continuing into the evening.
The fireworks display over nearby Grand Portage Lake is set for dusk - is planned to be four times larger than in recent years, according to the Mercer Area Chamber of Commerce.
Bruce Crossing
A full day of activities is planned for the Fourth of July in Bruce Crossing, much of it centered in the park. Among the events is a worship service at 9 a.m., a pie contest at 9:30, and a tractor show and craft fair beginning at 10.
The parade begins at 2 p.m., followed by games, music and food (including pie) in the park. The evening wraps up with fireworks.
Greenland
Greenland will host its Fourth of July celebration on Saturday, kicking things off with an all-day kick ball tournament starting at 8 a.m. The walk-run-roll fun run will begin at 9:30, with registration starting at 8 at the Log Cabin. Kids games, bounce houses, a craft fair and corn hole tournament will begin at 11.
A kiddie parade, followed by the big parade, are planned for noon, followed by an afternoon and evening of musical jamboree in the park with several musicians set to perform through 1 a.m.
Fireworks are scheduled for dusk.
