Superior Chronicle -- Fourth of July

BESSEMER, MI - Sunday, July 06, 2008 - The 2008 Fourth of July Bessemer Blast that began last Saturday, June 28, 2008, with the 20th Annual Hometown Run; the 20th Annual 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament; and the 18th Annual Demolition Derby, winds down today and tomorrow. This morning from 7:00 AM to Noon, the 4th Annual Knights of Columbus Pancake Breakfast is being held; and the Daughters of Isabella Circle 746 are holding their 2nd Annual Silent Auction and Bake Sale. Both events are being held at the St. Sebastian Gymnasium.

Tomorrow the Blast officially ends with the 3:00 PM Closing Ceremony of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Moving Wall at E. J. Oas Field behind the Washington Elementary School at South Clayberg and East Colby Streets.

Friday, the week-long event was highlighted by Bessemer's Giant 4th of July Parade through downtown Bessemer and the Thunder on the Mountain Fireworks Display at Massie Field. Photos of the parade are featured in this article.

Other events that took place at this year's Blast include: Ecumenical Service; the 3rd Annual Northwestern Mud Run; a VFW Burger & Fries Feed; the Fat Tire Bike Tour; Helicopter Rides; an American Legion Post #27 Spaghetti Dinner; the 17th Annual Domino Fall; the 20th Annual Bed Races; the 3rd Annual Bar Stool Races; the 14th Annual Lawn Mower Sprints; a Karaoke Contest; the 17th Annual Bessemer Education Association Strawberry Social; the 17th Annual Street Bowling; the 20th Annual Simon Says Competition; the 5th Annual Derrick Brown Memorial Slingshot Water Balloon Toss; a Street Dance featuring Griffin Vittone and the lead Street Mob; Poncho's Memorial Salute; Family Games and Races; a Children's Parade sponsored by the Bessemer Woman's Club; a Bessemer Fire Department Open House; Marching Bands; a Memory Lane Car Cruise; a Duluth Air National Guard F16 Flyover; a Marty's Goldenaires Concert; and of course the Poker Run and the Giant 50/50 Raffle.

This year's 50/50 Raffle generated a total of $30,920, with $15,460 for the winner. The winning number was 9423.

Jim Albert


Bessemer Blast 4th Parade & Fireworks Draws Big Crowd
BESSEMER, MI - Sunday, July 06, 2008 - The 2008 Fourth of July Bessemer Blast that began last Saturday, June 28, 2008, with the 20th Annual Hometown Run; the 20th Annual 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament; and the 18th Annual Demolition Derby, winds down today and tomorrow. This morning from 7:00 AM to Noon, the 4th Annual Knights of Columbus Pancake Breakfast is being held; and the Daughters of Isabella Circle 746 are holding their 2nd Annual Silent Auction and Bake Sale. Both events are being held at the St. Sebastian Gymnasium. Tomorrow the Blast officially ends with the 3:00 PM Closing Ceremony of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Moving Wall at E. J. Oas Field behind the Washington Elementary School at South Clayberg and East Colby Streets. Friday, the week-long event was highlighted by Bessemer's Giant 4th of July Parade through downtown Bessemer and the Thunder on the Mountain Fireworks Display at Massie Field. Photos of the parade are featured in this article. Other events that took place at this year's Blast include: Ecumenical Service; the 3rd Annual Northwestern Mud Run; a VFW Burger & Fries Feed; the Fat Tire Bike Tour; Helicopter Rides; an American Legion Post #27 Spaghetti Dinner; the 17th Annual Domino Fall; the 20th Annual Bed Races; the 3rd Annual Bar Stool Races; the 14th Annual Lawn Mower Sprints; a Karaoke Contest; the 17th Annual Bessemer Education Association Strawberry Social; the 17th Annual Street Bowling; the 20th Annual Simon Says Competition; the 5th Annual Derrick Brown Memorial Slingshot Water Balloon Toss; a Street Dance featuring Griffin Vittone and the lead Street Mob; Poncho's Memorial Salute; Family Games and Races; a Children's Parade sponsored by the Bessemer Woman's Club; a Bessemer Fire Department Open House; Marching Bands; a Memory Lane Car Cruise; a Duluth Air National Guard F16 Flyover; a Marty's Goldenaires Concert; and of course the Poker Run and the Giant 50/50 Raffle. This year's 50/50 Raffle generated a total of $30,920, with $15,460 for the winner. The winning number was 9423. Jim Albert

Bessemer Blast 4th Parade & Fireworks Draws Big Crowd