The public is welcome at the International Ironworker Festival, where ironworkers will celebrate their skills and provide entertainment Friday, August 10, through Sunday, August 12, at the Mackinaw City Recreation Center behind the high school in Mackinaw City. Many of the ironworkers worked on building the Mackinac Bridge.

Registration and booth set-up will take place Friday, between noon and 5 p.m. At 6 p.m., there will be live music and dancing.

At 10 a.m. Saturday, there will be a parade through Mackinaw City. Children's games will follow at 11 a.m. From noon to 6 p.m., ironworkers will demonstrate their skills in a series of contests. At 6 p.m., there will be live music and dancing. A 50/50 raffle will take place at 10 p.m.

The World Championship Column Climb begins Sunday's activities, at 10 a.m. To add interest to the event this year, any registered climber who beats former champion Eric Costa's time will claim his title and a $1,500 prize, reported Michael Coleman, festival president.

After the climb, there will be "old timers events" and an awards ceremony at approximately 2 p.m., he reported.

The festival was begun by J.C. Stilwell of Mackinaw City in 1981. Approximately 11,000 laborers, including ironworkers, joined forces to build the Mackinac Bridge.