Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties

Hurley celebrates heritage

By CHARITY SMITH

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Hurley - Hurley pride flowed down Silver Street on Saturday afternoon as the Iron County Heritage Parade hit the street and hundreds of people lined the parade route.

The parade as well as high school reunions and other events related to the school, brought people from all over the country for a look back at the past.

"I love this area. It's like my favorite place on earth," said Gwen Kasper-Couty of Chicago. "When I think of someplace to go and chill and just relax, it's here."

The parade started with the Hurley Police escorting a local military veterans color guard down Silver Street. The float stopped in front of the judges station in the pocket park at Fourth Avenue, where the color guard stood at attention with their flags and rifles during the singing of the national anthem by Desiree Walowinski, of Hurley.

The parade marshals were former police chiefs Ted Erspamer (1974-1992), Ken Colassaco (1992-1998), Ed Clemens (1998-2003) and Dan Erspamer (2003-2016).

A large fleet of fire trucks then proceeded down Silver Street, followed by a series of Hurley alumni class floats, the Tired Iron Tractor Club showing off their antique machinery, along with several local business and organization floats.

Children scrambled to retrieve candy that was thrown as the parade passed by.

Before and after the parade, Kyle Anderson played a piano in the Heritage Park at the corner of Fourth Avenue and Silver Street. Rock painting was also available in the park prior to the parade.

Following the parade, many Hurley High School alumni headed to Eagle Bluff Golf Club for an all-class reunion. Around 200 alumni came from classes dating as far back as 1947. The event, normally held at the Iron County Memorial Building, took place at the golf course this year as the other venue was booked.

Members of the Hurley High School National Honor Society drove many alumni up the hill from along the road to the clubhouse and tent in the parking lot.

The food at the event was sold as a fundraiser for the Hurley cross-country team.

 
 
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