Pickford Hay Days To Honor Homespun Music
Community Heritage Festival Is Aug. 1 - 5

"If any instrument needs blessing, it's the banjo," local folk music guitarist Marty Feldhake recently said of the upcoming Blessing of the Banjos at Pickford's Hay Days the first week of August.

Hay Days activities will take place Wednesday, August 1, through Sunday, August 5. The week will feature a Blessing of the Banjos in keeping with the event's theme, "Pickin' n' Grinnin' in Pickford."

The theme showcases the community's early settlers and the string-based folk music they played. "Pickin' n' grinnin'" is the term for what people do at folk and bluegrass music jam sessions, and refers to picking the strings of instruments such as banjos, mandolins, and guitars, and grinning because the music makes people happy.

"Music from those instruments was so important to the early settlers of our area, and continues to be popular," Hay Days Chairman Dr. Richard Morrison said. "Our goal is to bring musicians together and perhaps get people to pick up those old instruments that have been neglected and start playing again."

Bluegrass is a type of folk music that was developed by Scotch, Irish, and English immigrants who settled primarily in the Appalachian Mountain areas of the United States. Pickford's earliest settlers are also primarily of Scotch, Irish, and English descent, coming to the area by way of Ontario, and bringing the same musical heritage with them, expressed in dance, music, and ballads. It is the music played at barn dances and square dances, and has become synonymous with early American pioneers and farmers, joining music brought over by other European settlers like the French and Polish. It is echoed through other traditional instruments like the harmonica and accordion, or even the piano played for family entertainment in the parlor, Mr. Morrison said.

"Many people in the area still enjoy playing these instruments, and are encouraged to come out and share their talents," Mr. Morrison said. "Don't be surprised if you see musicians on a street corner or a front porch. Don't hesitate to join in the many jam sessions that are planned."

Since its 1979 centennial, Pickford has celebrated the community's history through an annual, five-day festival.

Hamburger Bash Begins

Wednesday Events

Pickford will celebrate its musical heritage starting Wednesday, August 1, with a hamburger bash at 5 p.m. at Pickford Township Hall to launch the event and raise money for future Hay Days celebrations. Donations of food and labor are welcome, and those who want to help may call Joanne Umbrasas at (906) 647-3113. The Pickford Ministerial Association will host a Singspiration at the Pickford Township park pavilion at 7 p.m., followed by the Blessing of the Banjos at 9 p.m. The banjo will take center stage for a "Banjo Extravaganza" scheduled at 9:05 p.m.

The Hay Days Hospitality Center at Pickford Historical Museum on Main Street will be open daily throughout Hay Days.

Youth Competitions, Softball

Game Planned Thursday

Festivities will continue Thursday, August 2, with the traditional youth eight-ball tournament in the afternoon at Pickford Township Hall, starting at 1 p.m. Young people ages nine to 18 can enter for $1. A ping-pong tournament will be offered this year at the Pickford Methodist Church at 3 p.m. for children ages 10 and older. The kids track meet and fun time will be at 7 p.m. at Pickford Public Schools track. Hot dogs and beverages will be served at 6 p.m. by Huntington Bank. The annual softball game between the Pickford- Marquette and Kinross fire departments will be at 7:30 p.m. at the Pickford Township Park, as will a bluegrass music and sing-along event at the pavilion.

Hay Races and Kiddies

Parade Will Take Place Friday

Friday, August 4, will start with an arts and crafts sale from noon to 6 p.m. at Pickford Township Hall. Anyone who wants to have a booth at the show may register with Arlene Portice by calling (906) 647-2582.

The popular Hay Races will be on Main Street at 6:30 p.m., and registration for the race begins at 6 p.m. Once the hay bale race ends, the Kiddies Parade will follow.

The Kiddies Parade line-up and judging will be in the Ross Funeral Home parking lot on Main Street at 6:30 p.m., followed by the parade on Main Street around 7 p.m. Children who want to participate in the parade should call Rae Ann Reinhart at (906) 647-8000. This year's theme is "What Makes You Smile."

The coronation of a Hay Days queen, prince, princess, and belle will highlight Friday evening's events with a ceremony at 7:30 p.m. The new queen will be crowned by last year's queen, Kaylynn Portice. This year's Hay Days Belle is Deanna Salo. The Hay Days Princess and Prince are Krysta Wondergem and Alec Firack.

The crowning ceremony will be followed by a musical local talent program at 7:45 p.m., featuring Josh Rose and others. The popular street dance will follow at 9 p.m., with music by Ted O'Brien until midnight. No alcoholic beverages are allowed on public property, including the street and Pickford Township Hall parking lot.

Saturday To Feature Hay

Days Parade

Saturday, August 4, will start with the Lumberjack Breakfast from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Pickford Township Hall, served by Northwoods Christian Camp.

The Pickford Hay 10k and 5k Run, and 2k Fun Run and Walk will take off at 9 a.m., and participants can register between 8 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. A petting zoo will be open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the open area east of Dr. Morrison's dental office on Main Street. The All God's Children 4-H Club will host the zoo.

The Hay Days Parade, continuing the "Pickin' n' Grinnin'" theme, will take place at 11 a.m. Line-up will start at 10:30 a.m. at Pickford Township park, using the west gate entrance. Contact Dr. Morrison at (906) 647-9395 to register an entry. This year's Parade Grand Marshals are Dick and Marcia Taylor, whom Mr. Morrison called "important members of our community [who] are being honored in appreciation for their many years of service."

Asoftball tournament will begin at noon, and anyone who wants to participate should call Ryan Fountain at (906) 495-5533. Threeon three basketball will also start at noon, and registration forms are available at Pickford Market and Dr. Morrison's office. The beach volleyball tournament will take place at 12:30 p.m., and teams can register by calling Joe Rounds at (906) 647-7970. All games will take place in Pickford Township Park.

The annual horse pull and children's lawn and garden tractor pull will both start at 1 p.m. Those who want to participate in the tractor pull should call Bob Rye at (906) 647-6210. Kids games and the firemen's foam treasure hunt will be offered at 1:30 p.m. Firemen's competitions between area firefighters will start at 2 p.m.

Hungry spectators can find relief at the Pickford Lions Club luncheon at the Pickford Township Hall basement, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., or at the Pickford Methodist Church Strawberry Social, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., or until the berries run out.

The open horseshoe tournament will be at 2:30 p.m. at the park, and those who want to compete should call Debra Chapman at (906) 297- 6562, or show up early. Teams will include two people, and it is $10 to register.

Also Saturday, a checkers tournament will be hosted by Mama Maloza's coffee shop at 3 p.m. Participants of all ages are welcome to compete in the tournament.

Activities will wind down with musical performances, including "Pickin' n' Grinnin'" from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Pickford Township Hall. The event will feature the local bluegrass musicians, the Bait Shop Boys. Music Fest 2007, with local rock bands, will be offered from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the township park pavilion.

Informal Jam Session Will

Conclude Festival Sunday

Sunday, August 6, activities include final softball tournament games starting at noon, and the final "Pickin' n' Grinnin'" informal jam session at 1 p.m., at the township park.

Volunteers are needed for many events, and those who want to help can call Dr. Morrison at (906) 647- 9395. A schedule of events with times and locations will be in the August 2 issue of The St. Ignace News.