Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
SHARING A big laugh during last Saturday's Festivale Italiano in Hurley, are, from left in foreground, Brenda Clement, Julie Orlich and Jim Clement, who were providing freshly cooked corn to the crowd. Enjoying the results in the background are Denise and Jim Coros. They are all from Saxon.
PERFORMING DURING last Saturday's Festivale Italiano in Hurley is Myron Re with Marty's Goldenaires Drum and Bugle Corps.
HURLEY - Festivale Italiano drew a hefty crowd on Saturday, packing Silver Street with people of all ages exchanging smiles, hugs and shout-outs.
The 70-ish temperatures were warm with just enough wind to feel a little crisp at times.
"Not too hot, not too cold - this is perfect," said Benjamin Romanowski of Hurley, who was there with his daughter, Breanna, 10.
Romanowski, who was wearing a "Hurley Pride" sweatshirt, said that, earlier in the day, his daughter had played in Wakefield's 3-on-3 Gus Macker Basketball Tournament and he had been shingling a roof.
"A little work, a little fun," he said, summarizing the day.
The festivale schedule included games for kids, as well as a bags tournament, within a three-block area of the main street, from which vehicle traffic was blocked.
In addition, vendors stationed under canopy tents were ready with products ranging from puppets and canned goods to jewelry and clothing.
Also available for sale was plenty of traditional cuisine such as pizza, pasta and Italian beef. Additional treats, as well as all sorts of beverages, also were being sold.
In one booth, Jim and Brenda Clement were busy making fresh-cooked corn with the help of their friends, Julie and Pete Orlich, all of Saxon, Meanwhile, Denise and Jim Coros, also from Saxon, were savoring the results.
"It's excellent," said Jim Coros. "I'm going to start growing it now."
Patrol Officer Josiah Hewitt was among several members of the Hurley Police Department walking the area and making sure everyone remained safe. He was relaxed and happy and assured that all was well.
Bob Michaels and Don Dugan offered live music in the early to mid-afternoon.
In the late afternoon, Marty's Goldenaires and Bugle Corps provided their traditional concert to a grateful audience, with some listeners taking a spin or two upon hearing a favorite tune. Leading the corps was Dan Pitrone, declared by member Pearce Graham to be "the best."
During the evening, the band Aftershock, from Duluth, Minnesota, entertained the crowd with classic rock from the 1980s and '90s, along with a dose of country.
The Hurley Chamber of Commerce sponsored the event.
