"All my life I've loved climbing. Trees. Houses. Anything. So when I heard about high-rise ironworking from the union, I had to get involved," said ironworker Wes Campeau, who describes his job as "living on the edge."

A 26-year-old skilled tradesman and world-champion column climber, Mr. Campeau spends a lot of time working on metal beams far above the ground, and this week, he returns to Mackinaw City for the International Ironworkers Festival Friday, August 8, through Sunday, August 10, where he will attempt to beat his own record in Mackinaw City's column climb competition by reaching the top of a tall steel column in less than 4.5 seconds. The time is considered a world record, he said.

The task is extremely difficult. "One slip or missing one grab can be the difference between first and 10th place," he said.

In 2004, the first year he won the event in Mackinaw City, his time was 6.40 seconds. Second place was 6.49 seconds.

A festival favorite, the column climb is among many events related to the trade, and the setting is appropriate. Mackinaw City is known for celebrating ironworkers at the foot of the one of their greatest achievements, the Mackinac Bridge. Just before the festival this year, the city will conduct a groundbreaking ceremony for a project dedicated to their vocation: the Ironworkers Walk of Fame, a streetscape of bricks to bear the individual names and projects of ironworkers. The groundbreaking will be Friday, August 8, at 4 p.m. on North Huron Avenue. For his part, the trade is its own reward, Mr. Campeau said.

"I love my job," he told The St. Ignace News. "It's risky, but I enjoy the risk. I think every ironworker does. To be able to do it, you have to."

A resident of Belle River, Ontario, Mr. Campeau is in Windsor's Ironworkers Local 700, a union branch through which he obtains many jobs "connecting."

He intercepts metal beams swung by cranes, and bolts them to the developing skeletal frames of new structures. It's one of the most dangerous tasks in the business. Organizers take every precaution to ensure his protection, but connecting remains an adventurous occupation.

Mr. Campeau doesn't mind. He has labored on large projects like Casino Windsor's expansion, enlargement of the Windsor Family Credit Union's recreation complex, and the University of Windsor. He has also helped erect the metal skeletons of new structures.

Although traditional column climbing is no longer allowed in Canadian ironworking, he practices old-style column climbing on a 40-foot-tall steel column in his backyard, every day.

A climber wears a harness, once a staple of the profession, complete with a seat belt connected to a retractor block, which is like a recoil. If something goes wrong, the device locks and prevents him from falling.

If these devices were set up on every column of a structure, they would still be in use, but modern construction relies instead on lifts and ladders.

Mr. Campeau says practicing old-style climbing helps him immeasurably on site. Climbing into the precise position needed for connecting is critical.

Lifts have limits.

"They can't get you everywhere," he said.

One of the most rewarding parts of his occupation is the reaction of people passing by, he added. People frequently stop and shout questions when they see him high above the ground - sometimes 100 feet - leaning off a beam or walking along the metal skeleton.

He proudly explains his occupation.

"It makes me feel good," he said. Once the walls and siding are up, "people don't know what goes into making a building."

Since he attended his first International Ironworkers Festival in 2003, Mr. Campeau has received several first and secondplace prizes there. He also won the National Ironworkers Apprentice Program in 2004, in San Francisco.

The Ironworkers Festival is full of competitions, all done in good spirits.

"Even though we're competitive men, at the end of day it's all high fives and pats on the back: a good day's work," he said.

International Ironworkers Festival Events Friday, August 8 - Sunday, August 10

A major attraction for American and Canadian ironworkers, the annual Mackinaw City festival is open to the public. Ironworkers and retirees will compete in skilled competitions like the World Championship Column Climb, a field-competition column climb, rivet tosses, knot tying, and rod tying.

The event takes place at the Mackinaw City Recreation Center behind the high school.

Registration and booth set-up will be Friday, between noon and 5 p.m.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the Ironworkers Walk of Fame will be Friday, August 8, at 4 p.m. on North Huron Avenue. A reception will follow.

At 6 p.m. Friday, there will be live music and dancing at the Recreation Center.

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 raffle will take place at 10 p.m.

The World Championship Column Climb begins Sunday's activities, at 10 a.m. After the climb, there will be "old timers events" and an awards ceremony. Times are to be determined.

In 1981, former ironworker J.C. Stilwell of Mackinaw City started the festival. Approximately 11,000 laborers, including ironworkers, joined forces to build the Mackinac Bridge, which opened in 1957.