City of Ironwood's Daily News Source

Independence Day 2009

Twin Lakes Celebrates With Boat Parade

Twin Lakes - July 7, 2009

The residents of Twin Lakes celebrated Independence Day on the lake. The annual boat regatta forms just before dark and then cruises along the lake perimeter. Boats are decorated in Fourth of July style with red, white and blue lighting. Many boats have decorations such as the statue of liberty in keeping with the holiday.

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Wakefield Picnic Culminates In
Fantastic Fireworks Display

The Night sky over Sunday Lake was filled with fantastic fireworks Friday, following a day long picnic. There were was lots of music. Two rock bands and and a concert by the Gogebic Range Concert Band played in the evening following the performance of Mike Keating earlier in the Day. There were sporting booths manned by the Boy Scouts of Troop 334, Bessemer.

The Scouts were fundraising for themselves and also assisted in fundraising for the Cole Foundation.

There was of course lots of food and beverages available. Families came to the lake and swam and had an old fashion down home picnic.

CLICK TO VIEW FIREWORKS DISPLAY

Wakefield Celebrates the Fourth.....
in a Big, Big Way!

Wakefield - July 4, 2009

The residents of Wakefield turned out for the Grand Finale of the Wakefield Fourth of July Celebration. The parade theme this year was "Freedom Isn't Free". A theme used on the many floats in the parade. This was once again a big event produced by small community. .

The parade formed at the High School. The marchers would then follow a route up Brotherton and down Sunday Lake Street. The main parade began on time immediately upon the completion of the Wakefield Children's Parade. The parade spectators had lined the route early in the day in anticipation of the earlier parade.

This parade was complete in every way. There were three bands, Bessemer H.S. Band, Ironwood H.S. Band and Marty's Goldenaires. The Wakefield Marenisco High School was well represented by the Cardinal Cheer Leaders.

The Klasic Kruisers sent over many classic cars including Tom Laabs Smokin' Cuda and Sharon Laabs Hot Satelitte. All the cars in the parade were worthy of applause including Jerry Rouse's great Mopar.

The local fire departments were well represented too. Trucks from Bessemer, Bessemer Township and Marenisco Township joined the Wakefield Volunteers in the parade. Wakefield's entry was driven by Retired Fire Chief Ted Finco. Chief Yon was having a very busy day running the Children's Parade.

The Fourth of July brings with it many family as well as school reunions. This year was no exception. Turning out in force was the class of '59 as was the Class of '49.

There were some great floats which can be seen in our slide show and photo gallery.

The local VFW and American Legion Post Color Guard carried the National Colors in the forefront of the parade. The color guard was led by John "Chummy" Ozzello. The same servicemen provided the Honor Guard at Friday's Concert in the park. .

Scouts from Troop 334 also provided a Color Guard under the leadership of Scout Master Bruce Jendrusina. All day and night Friday, the scouts manned several gamming booths at the Wakefield Picnic. Raising money forscouting and the Cole Foundation.

Following the Wakefield Parade the scouts would be off to Bessemer to march and fundraise again

The Fourth of July festivities in Wakefield were very enjoyable and demonstrated how a small community can do things in a big, big way.

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Bessemer Blast 2009

Bessemer - July 5, 2009

For many people the high point of the Annual Fourth of July Bessemer Blast is the Fourth of July Parade. This year's celebration aimed to please the those parade lovers. There were many marchers and floats, as well as four bands to entertain everyone. The large crowd of spectators also got to enjoy classic cars and vehicles of every description including fire trucks, motorcycles, farm tractors and even golf carts. The parade included State Representative Mike Lahti. There was a Fife and Drum corps that traveled all the way from Janesville Wisconsin to entertain the crowd gathered along Sophie and Mary Streets to watch the parade.

One of the highlights of the event was a fly over by F16 Fighter Jets from the Duluth Air National Guard.

Bessemer Parade
Showcases Area Bands

Bessemer - July 5, 2009

Spectators who came to view the penultimate event in Bessemer's Fourth of July Blast 2009, were treated to a great deal of great music. Music which was provided by four wonderful local bands and one visiting fife and drum corps from Wisconsin.

I love a Parade - is a song writtten by Harold Arlen. The lyrics in part say
"I love a parade, the tramping of feet,
I love every beat I hear of a drum.
I love a parade, when I hear a band
I just want to stand and cheer as they come"

Just about everyone feels that way. In Bessemer's Fourth of July Parade the spectators spent most of their cheering for the bands in the parade.

In Western Gogebic we are lucky enough to have some great musicians and thus having great bands. Both Bessemer and Ironwood High Schools have absolutely terrific school bands. Most likely due to the fact that these two high schools have "absolutely terrific" Music Directors. It's hard to image having any better than Mary Jo Mykkanen and Steve Boyd. They have trained many fine young musicians who entertain us all year after year. While the area school populations may have diminished the quality of our music programs have not diminish at all. Thanks to Mary Jo and Steve.

All the local bands in the Bessemer parade have done double and triple duty this weekend. The Gogebic Range Concert Band played at the Wakefield picnic Saturday evening and then again in the Bessemer parade. Bessemer H.S and Ironwood H.S. Bands along with Marty's Goldenaires all marched and played in the Wakefield parade just a few hours prior to the Bessemer Parade. Ironwood also played a small concert for Josephsons Nursing Home on Friday.

Spectators at the parade were also treated to a fine performance by the Janesville Fife and Drums, which came all the way from Janesville Wisconsin.

So those of us who want to love every beat of a drum and cheer as they come had plenty of opportunity to do so this weekend

View Photo Slide Show
The bands in the slide show are listed in alphabetical order.

Wakefield Kids March !

Wakefield - July 5, 2009

Saturday morning people all across America and our region would be waking to day of celebration and commemoration of our nation's 233rd birthday. The kids in Gogebic would be no exception. They too would be rising early to prepare their costumes and other items for the Annual Wakefield Kids Parade. Earlier yet would be the adults who would placing their chairs and blankets along the parade route, assuring themselves a good vantage point from which to view the parade.

Wakefield Enjoys An Old Fashion 4th of July!

Wakefield - July 5, 2009

The Range Gogebic Concert Band and the Concert in the Park Choir presented a concert Thursday evening as part of Wakefield's "Old Fashion 4th of July" celebration. The music performed by both groups was in keeping with the tradition of the holiday and this year's theme "Freedom Isn't Free". The concert served as a prelude to the fantastic fireworks display that began at dusk.

Click READ MORE to view Photo Slideshow, Photo Gallery and view Videos

White Pine Celebrates Nation's Birthday
Heartland Style

White Pine - July 4, 2009

Once again White Pine residents and visitors were treated to an Independence Day party "Heartland Style". The day began with a parade that started at the Fire Hall and made its way to the American Legion Hall on the north side of town. An afternoon of fun and games followed the parade.

Pictured above is Richard Reath . S.Sgt. USMC who was the 2009 Parade Grand Marshall.

Independence Day
Starts Early At Josephson's

Ironwood H.S. Band gives pre-holiday concert

Ironwood - July 4, 2009

Yesterday, the residents of the Josephson Nursing home had a pre fourth of July band concert. Steve Boyd, I.A.S.D. Music Director, brought his summer band to perform at the Ayer Street nursing home.

Residents of Josephson's along with family members, friends and staff sat on the patio to hear the performance. Passerby's also stopped to listen and enjoy the music of the great Red Devil Band.

Today Steve will bring his talented group to two parades. First the band will march in the Wakefield Parade and then again they will march in the Bessemer Parade.

Great going kids!

Let The Dominos Fall Where They May

Bessemer - July 2, 2009

The annual domino fall took place last night in the parking lot of the Bessemer BP station. It was the eighteenth time that creator Cutso Corullo has put on this favorite Bessemer Bash event. Cutso, pictured above, built all 5000 dominos that fell last night and he also built all of the animated features that provide the entertainment during the fall. There are many features along the domino route create action when tripped by the dominos.