Blues Fest & Iron County Fair

The End-of-Summer Blues Fest is set for Saturday, Aug. 23, and coincides with the Vets Freedom Ride. The event will proceed rain or shine. The day begins with the blessing of the bikes and bikers at 11 a.m. followed by the Veterans Freedom Ride and Memorial Poker Run. Motorcycles and cars travel from Alpha through Iron County and back to Alpha with stops at three area memorials, where cards will be punched for a chance to win a HDTV. The procession will be led by Iron County Sheriff Mark Valesano and the American Legion Riders Color Guard. The Blue Fest starts at noon under the big tent near the village circle. Admission is $7 in advance and $10 at the gate. Children under 12 are allowed in free with an adult. Advance tickets are available at Crystal Lumber Co., the Alpha General Store and First National Bank and Trust in Iron River. The musical lineup kicks off with traditional blues music provided by Willi Tatu. Next up at 1:30 p.m. are Blind James and the JJ Blues Revue. Blind James is originally from Amasa and has been playing for decades throughout the U.P. JJ is originally from Alpha and is currently on tour with the Sons of Legends. They will play classics from Wilson Pickett, Muddy Waters and Junior Wells, with some classic Jimi Hendrix possibly thrown in. At 3 p.m., Hard Luck Blues from Wisconsin takes the stage, followed by Fireside, a Chicago-style blues and rock band, at 5:30 p.m. Bringing down the curtain on the blues fest will be Eddie and the Bluesers from Marquette. The band takes the stage at 7 p.m. and will play classic blues and rock. The Blues Berry Pie-Eating Contest is also back again this year. The contest begins at 2:30 p.m. for those hungry for a face full of blue. Food and merchandise vendors will be at the site. Refreshments will be served by the Alpha-Mastodon Fire Department. No carry-ins are allowed, and attendees are asked to bring their own chairs.

Iron County’s fairground located on a back road north of the Iron River’s main street district comes to life.

For those of you who are city dwellers and never went to one of these fairs, let me break it down for you. The primary purpose of a fair is for the locals to compete in numerous categories: the best livestock (pigs, chickens, cows, horses, etc.), the best fruits and vegetables, floral arrangements, crafts (needlepoint or quilts usually), and then all the kids artwork done by the local 4H Club.

The fair has been moved from mid-August to the end of August this summer with opening day set for Wednesday, Aug. 27. The closing day is Sunday, Aug. 31.

Iron County Fair Schedule Of Events

2014 IRON COUNTY FAIR SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Wednesday, August 27
Entry Day: Noon-7pm
Thursday, August 28
4-H Open Class Exhibit Judging: All Day
Arts & Crafts Sale: All Day
Senior Day: All Day
Free Lunch for Seniors: Noon
Antique Farm Equipment Display: All 4 Days of Fair
Jim Clements (music): Noon-3pm
Carnival Specials: beginning at 1pm
Horse Fun Events: 4pm
Miss Iron County Fair Queen Contest: 4:30pm
$75 Kids’ Coin Scramble: 6pm
Draft Horse Pull: 6pm
Grandstand Lovin Country (music): 6-9pm
Friends of Fair Award: 7pm
Miss Iron County Queen Contest Selection: 7pm
Friday, August 29
Open Class Exhibits Judging Continued: All Day
Arts & Crafts Sale: All Day
Livestock Judging: 9am
Carnival Specials: Begin at 1pm
4-H Market Livestock Judging: Noon
Old Friends (music): 2-5pm
Marilyn Monsivias (music): 6-9pm
Interpose Production (various bands): 6pm
Saturday, August 30
Arts & Crafts Sale: All Day
4-H Horse Show: 9am
Skip & Dave (Ventriloquist): 10am
Down on the Farm Presentation: 11am
Open Class Horse Show: Noon
Carnival Specials: Begin at 1pm
Market Livestock Auction: 2pm
Dan Germic (music): 3-5pm
Bandstand Demolition Derby: 6pm
Bill Haasey (music): 6-9pm
Sunday, August 31
Loggers/ Farmers Breakfast: 7pm
Rabbit Showmanship: 9am
Tractor Pull: 11am
Truck Pull: Following the Tractor Pull
Horse and Speed Events: Noon
Carnival Specials: Begin at 1pm
Chicken & Corn Feed: 1pm
Ricky Yorkovich (music): 2-5pm
Iron County Fair Raffle Drawing: 3pm
Exhibits and Livestock Released: 5pm
ADMISSION PRICES FOR ALL SPECIAL EVENTS:
Demo Derby: $7 Adults/ $5 Children
Tractor Pull/ 4×4 Truck Pull: Free
Seasonal Parking: $5–walk in admission $1

Events.