Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
ENJOYING TIME with Santa Claus during Ironwood's Jack Frost Festival on Saturday is Lerah Andreoli, 7, of Bessemer. The event, which also included Mrs. Claus, Jack Frost and an energetic elf, was held at the Incredible Bank in downtown Ironwood.
By P.J. GLISSON
Ironwood - Despite wind chill near zero on Saturday night, the Jack Frost parade in downtown Ironwood, drew a large crowd and offered a dazzling array of 40 entries loaded with colored lights and other creative details.
Viewers came ready to battle the weather with long coats and faces hidden behind scarves or hats - some of which sprouted reindeer horns and flashing lights.
Beyond that, the old saying of "cold hands, warm heart" took on broader meaning as everyone also took apparent comfort in a wealth of community spirit.
"It really went off very well this year even though it was cold," said Michael Meyer, director of the Ironwood Chamber of Commerce, on Monday. "One of the things that made it extra special this year was the cooperation of all the participants."
Meyer, who said that Sam Davey directed the parade with help from section leaders, commended all the hard work that went into creating floats and other effects that he said took "a lot of skill and a lot of time."
In referring to details relating to electrical lights and countless other preparations, Meyer added, "Some of those are major undertakings. You can't just go and buy your float."
Leading the parade were members of law enforcement, along with the JROTC battalion from Luther L. Wright High School, which also featured band members on a later float.
Santa and Mrs. Claus rode in a carriage drawn by horses, while Jack Frost and many helpers walked the parade route to hand out candy to the kids.
Earlier in the afternoon, the Clauses and Mr. Frost visited with area children at an Ironwood bank.
Team Z Racing won first prize in the parade with a float that featured a ski hill made with real snow, along with several kids posing as skiers.
Second prize went to the Gogebic County 4-H Club for a float smothered in lights and accompanied by several walkers with goats.
The Lake Superior Tired Iron Club won third place for a huge, bedazzled tractor with a smokestack and a team of inflatable reindeer at the lead.
Fourth, fifth and sixth prizes went, respectively, to the Aurora Club, Four Seasons Lawn and Property, and the Gogebic Range Trail Authority. GRTA and the White Thunder Riders Snowmobile Club both had several trail grooming rigs of various sizes in the parade.
Other floats and walkers included representation from Gogebic Community College, Iron County 4-H members, the Gogebic-Ontonagon Head Start, HOPE Animal Shelter, Friends of the Iron Belle Trail, local Cub Scouts, the Norrie Club, and - always a hit - the Shovel Brigade.
Several local businesses also were also part of the mix.
The parade ended with fire engines that came from as far as Wakefield.
Directly before the parade, the Carnegie Library offered hot cider and treats, and other downtown businesses on or near main street also acted as harbors of relief for those opting to stay warm and visit with friends before a lively Santa Dash preceded the floats down Aurora Street.
After the parade inside the Historic Ironwood Theatre, the Gogebic Range Band provided a Christmas concert, directed by Marie Eggleston, while Christmas treats were offered in the lobby.
The theatre concourse also features a display of artwork by the Downtown Art Place. The exhibit is titled "Merry and Bright" and will run through Jan. 8.
