Festival Ironwood Set to Begin Wednesday

DOWNTOWN IRONWOOD, MI - Tuesday, July 15, 2008 - Festival Ironwood will celebrate its 16th anniversary this year from July 16-20, 2008. Billed as a mid-summer celebration, Festival Ironwood features fun activities, music, a daily 50/50 raffle, food and entertainment for the whole family. Festival Ironwood is held on the grounds of the Old Depot Park in downtown Ironwood. Food concessions will be provided throughout the weekend. The ducks will again be floating at the World's Largest Duck Pick where there is a prize every time and the Vintage Pinball Arcade will be running.

For more information contact Handsome Prints at (906) 932-1414 or the Ironwood Chamber at (906) 932-1122.

FESTIVAL CALENDAR OF EVENTS

(calendar of events subject to change)

WEDNESDAY ~ JULY 16

6:00 - 10:00 PM - "An Evening of Bluegrass" – live music (to be announced) sponsored by the Ironwood/Hurley Rotary Club, featuring beer and brats, free admission compliments of GTC Car Quest and Coleman Engineering

THURSDAY ~ JULY 17

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM - Festival Sales (throughout area businesses)
4:00 PM - Festival Opening Ceremonies & Blessing – by American Legion Post #5
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM - Deep Fried Turkey Feed – conducted by Friends of Festival Ironwood
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM - Polka Dance with live music (to be announced), free admission compliments of Friends of Festival Ironwood
7:45 PM - Daily 50/50 Drawing
8:00 PM - 11:00 PM - Teen Dance with live music (to be announced), free admission compliments of McKevitt Patrick Funeral Home

FRIDAY ~ JULY 18

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM - Festival Sales (throughout area businesses)
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM - Kids Activity Day – activities at the Depot, conducted by Gogebic County 4-H Youth Group
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM - Pie and Ice Cream Social – Wesley United Methodist Church
4:00 PM - 11:00 PM - North Country Hoe-Down – with live music (to be announced) free admission compliments of Downtown Ironwood Development Authority
10:00 PM - Daily 50/50 Drawing

SATURDAY ~ JULY 19

7:00 AM -10:00 AM - Big Top Pancake Breakfast – ???
7 :00 AM - Walk, Run & Roll registration and check in begins
8:15 AM - Honor Guard "Star Spangled Banner" Ceremony by American Legion Post #5
8:30 AM - Walk, Run & Roll begins, 2 and 5 mile events sponsors – Grand View Health System, Great Lakes Eye specialists & Bluff View Optical
9:00 AM - Outdoor Pool Tournament
900 AM - 5:00 PM - Festival Sales (throughout area businesses)
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM - Silent Chair Auction – conducted by Our Lady of Peace Church
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM - Arts & Crafts Sale – conducted by Ironwood American Legion Auxiliary
10:00 AM - Strawberry Social - conducted by Ironwood Business & Professional Women
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM - Free Community Health Fair, sponsored by Grand View Health System
Noon - 5:oo PM - Open Stage – Free Live Entertainment Under the Big Top
5:00 PM - Classic Car Cruise/Parade on Wheels – gather at Old Depot Park
7:15 PM - Classic Car Cruise & Parade on Wheels, sponsored by Klassic Kruisers (heads through Downtown Ironwood and Hurley)
8:00 PM - Midnight - 50/60s Dance – with live music (to be announced) admission $4 in advance, $5 at the gate
11:00 PM - Daily 50/50 Drawing

SUNDAY ~ JULY 20

9:00 AM - Old Depot Auto Show – conducted by Klassic Kruisers Car Club
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM - Arts & Crafts – conducted by Ironwood American Legion Auxiliary
10:00 AM - HOPE Animals
11:00 AM - Outdoor Texas Hold 'Em Poker Tournament, sponsored by Ironwood Chamber of Commerce
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM - Free Live Entertainment Under the Big Top
1:00 PM - Kids' Woodchip Scramble – sponsored by Woodtech Builders
3:00 PM - Daily 50/50 Raffle Drawing
3:00 PM - Old Depot Auto Show trophy presentation
5:30 PM - Ironwood Area Sports Hall of Fame Induction Dinner, Memorial Building, tickets available
7:15 PM - Ironwood Area Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Memorial Building, open to the public

**All events held at the Historic Depot Park in Downtown Ironwood, unless otherwise noted**