Ironworkers To Show Prowess at Mackinaw City This Weekend
By Paul Gingras

Thirty-eight years after the Mackinac Bridge was dedicated, ironworker J.C. Stilwell of Mackinaw City still lives nearby and celebrates what he calls "an awesome job done by a rough, good-natured bunch of people."

Mr. Stilwell began the International Ironworker Festival in 1981, and the event continues Friday, August 11, through Sunday, August 13, at the Mackinaw City Recreation Center behind the high school.

The public is invited, he said, but only skilled ironworkers can participate in competitions such as spud throws, rivet throws, rod tying, knot tying, and column climbing.

There will be games for families and children, and the Ramblin Band from Manistee will provide an evening of music and dancing Friday.

Saturday morning, ironworkers will parade from Mackinaw City State Dock, through the intersection of Nicolet Street and Central Avenue, and end at the bridge. Working and retired champion ironworkers will ride on floats, where they will demonstrate a variety of industrial skills.

"A lot of old-timers can still drive rivets," Mr. Stilwell said proudly.

He keeps in contact with hundreds of bridge workers and has fond memories of his bridgebuilding days, such as a day in 1956 when he and Curly Olsen of Petoskey raced on foot from St. Ignace to Mackinaw City.

Regarding the Ironworkers Festival, he said, "I enjoy it very much. It's like a big family."

Some 11,000 laborers, including ironworkers, joined forces to build the Mackinac Bridge.