Pioneer Days 2019: Celebrating 40 Years of Community Service!

Bob Hendrickson

Executive Director of the Greater Ishpeming-Negaunee Area Chamber of Commerce

Be it family or class reunions, summer is a social gathering time in the Upper Peninsula. The City of Negaunee and the Irontown Association has taken that to the next level with a 10-day celebration of class reunions, community socials and a second wind of fireworks displayed over Teal Lake.
 
Pioneer Days is that celebration. Beside the reunions, there are plenty of activities and events for the entire public.
 
One of the cornerstones of the week is the Alumni Softball Tournament held at LaCombe Field daily. It’s good entertainment for anyone looking to watch some competitive, and at times comical, slow pitch softball action.
 
The Negaunee Historical Society Museum will be open daily from 10am-4pm. Their ice cream social and car show takes place on Tuesday evening (July 9) from 6-8pm. Breakfast will be served at the Negaunee Senior Center every morning at 9am, cost is $4 for general public and $3.50 for seniors.
 
Things start getting busy on Wednesday with the Negaunee Elks Kids Bike Parade starting at 12noon with line-up at 11am. That is followed by the Kids Day activities at the Negaunee Ice Arena from 12-3pm. Later that evening people can check out the Pasqualis Car Show along Teal Lake Avenue starting at 6pm, with the cruise starting at 9pm.
 
Thursday is the community social night downtown Negaunee starting at 8pm. There will be several bands and happenings at many establishments located there along with good eats.
 
Friday hosts the second Fancy Iron Flea Market from 10am-2pm downtown, participation is free and set-up starts at 8am. Vendors are responsible for their own display needs. There will also be an opportunity to preview tour the Upper Peninsula Brewing Company facility that will open later this year.
 
The grand finale is Saturday, July 13 with the Pioneer Parade at 11:30am (note parade route changes), a community picnic at Teal Lake starting at 1pm until dusk, Firefighters Tournament at the Negaunee Firehouse in the afternoon, Mr. Upper Peninsula Pageant at 6pm in the Historic Vista Theater, and fireworks over Teal Lake at dark.
 
For more information and a full list of events go to www.negauneeirontown.org.