Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
The boys team pulls against the girls in a tug-of-war contest during Fourth of July games at Carow Park in Mercer on Thursday. While the morning's parade drew a large crowd, the evening's fireworks were postponed until Saturday due to a line of thunderstorms that moved through the region later in the day.
By TOM LAVENTURE
MERCER, Wis. - The rain held off long enough for Mercer to hold its Fourth of July parade downtown Thursday and an afternoon of food and games at Carow Park, but the evening's fireworks were postponed until Saturday at dusk due to a line of thunderstorms that moved through later in the day.
In the morning, people lined both sides of main street to watch the parade on the theme, "America to the Moon and Back: 50 Years" to acknowledge the first manned lunar moon landing on July 21, 1969.
"This is definitely a big town effort," said Melissa Biszak, executive director, Mercer Area Chamber of Commerce. "Everyone participated and helped to continue this event."
Many of the parade entries had an astronaut theme, including the Lionesses, the Woods & Blooms Garden Club, and the Lake Association of Long Lake.
The mostly retired lake association group chanted, "Back then we had the right stuff!" The idea was to say the association members are of a generation that was in its prime 50 years ago when man went to the moon, said Michael Dix, association member.
"Now we are back as the old, retired, in-firmed astronauts," he said. "The idea was we are now returning and reliving our glory days."
Barb Jelinak was in a wheel chair but still had her astronaut suit on while being pushed by husband Bill. The two said that some very talented association members took the lead and everyone else followed.
"We started about two weeks ago and did our rehearsal this morning," Barb said. "We did a lot of painting during the week. We had fun."
The parade marshal was Neil Barncakr, who was being celebrated as an outstanding citizen in the community, Biszak said. He was recognized for volunteerism and his role in the city's growth and development.
Nancy Lundquist, a business owner in Mercer, said she appreciates how much work goes into organizing the day of events, adding the food vendors this year provided more variety including a local food truck.
Brian and Sandra Andrews of Villa Park, Illinois, said they have a cabin in Mercer and haven't missed a Fourth of July here in 17 years.
"It's a great place to bring the kids," Brian said.
More than 200 people participated in the morning's 13th annual Run for a Vet in either the 5K and 1.1 mile fun run/walk. The event is organized by the American Legion Auxiliary Post 424.
Lt. Hank Joustra of the Mercer Volunteer Fire Department, said hundreds of hours go into planning the fireworks show from several barges in Grand Portage Lake, across from Carow Park. The show is now all electronic, a far cry from the days when they were lit off manually, he said.
"We transitioned to all electronic fireworks six years ago," he said. "We have been using programs now for the past three years."
The fireworks display is four times larger this year, he said; in part because of more donations and funding from the town of Mercer and the chamber, but also for switching suppliers and demanding better pricing.
