The ironworkers parade continued despite the downpour Saturday morning, August 8. Members of Detroit Local 25 and Local 340 performed rivet work while riding on a float in the parade. Pictured (from left) are Dave Hamilton, Bill Miller, Judd Converse, Bernie Gobeski, Bernie Noble, and Nate Santino. All are members of Local 25, except Mr. Noble, who is with Local 340.

Ironworkers from New York to Illinois shared memories of careers spent building the framework for high-rise buildings and steel structures like the Mackinac Bridge during the International Ironworkers Festival in Mackinaw City Friday, August 7, and Saturday, August 8. The festival brings etired and working tradesmen to Mackinaw City each year to commemorate those who built the Mackinac Bridge and to celebrate the trade of ironworking with a parade and skill demonstrations.

Amidst a heavy rainstorm Saturday morning that drenched the revelers, the parade began at 10 a.m., starting at the end of South Huron Avenue and ending at the Mackinaw City High School, and ironworkers and visitors sought shelter under tents, greeting old and new friends and swapping stories.

At left: Bill Ferraro of New York Local 580 and Steve Vetsch of Seattle Local 186 attend the International Ironworkers Festival in Mackinaw City. Both men looked forward to joining the rivet tossing competition, having placed first as a team in the 2006 Old Timers Rivet Toss Event.

Judd Converse of Charlotte attended the festival for the 14th year. A structural ironworker for 25 years, Mr. Converse recalled stumbling into his career path while aiding in the construction of a building. Mr. Converse was approached by a man who owned an iron company one day and was offered a job. He decided to give ironwork a chance and soon discovered it was his kind of job.

As an ironworker, Mr. Converse was able to travel all over the country for jobs. He found himself working on a mall in Chicago, constructing buildings for General Motors in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and working on sites at the University of Michigan.

Travel was enjoyable for Mr. Converse, and getting to know other ironworkers was another benefit of his career.

At left: Keely McLeod of Clarkston walks across a beam set up for children at the International Ironworkers Festival in Mackinaw City. Children could also take turns throwing spud wrenches at a nearby target before the main competitions began.

Bill Ferraro, of Local 580 from New York, also enjoyed the camaraderie of the job . He was one of the ironworkers called into action after the attack on September 11, 2001. Union ironworkers were asked to remove debris and operate cranes to locate and save survivors. Iron was also cut into smaller pieces so it could be hauled away.

Along with other ironworkers from the New York area, Mr. Ferraro worked at the site for nine weeks during the rescue and recovery operation. He recalled everyone there setting aside any differences and working together to help.

"Ironworkers are a brotherhood that's unbreakable," he said.

Other members of Local 580 were present at the festival. Dennis Milton helped build the Twin Towers from 1970 to 1974 and assisted the recovery effort after the attack. Ironworkers volunteered their time despite the danger involved. Asbestos and silica permeated the site, which led to many of the ironworkers becoming sick, he said. Mr. Ferraro developed silicosis, an occupational lung disease contracted from inhaling large amounts of silica, after working on the site.

Chris Prophet of Philadelphia Local 401 (at left) and Don Robertson of St. Louis Local 396 climbed columns and erected the American and Canadian flags at the beginning of the festival in Mackinaw City. Anthems for both countries were played before the festival competitions began.

Mr. Milton's son, Dennis, was also present after the terrorist attack. He worked on the site for a month, and recalled that the rescue and recovery efforts never stopped. Workers were assigned to one of three different shifts, he said, so that the rescue could continue throughout the night.

Like the other ironworkers in Mackinaw City, the members of Local 580 attended the festival to meet with friends and enjoy the competitions held throughout the day.

Representatives of the New York Ironworkers Local 580 attended the festival. Dennis Milton, (second from left) aided in the construction of the World Trade Center's Twin Towers and joined the rescue and recovery effort after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack. Pictured with him (from left) are Dennis Milton Jr., Pete Kourakos, Devis Caceres, and Bill Ferraro.

Steve Vetsch, an ironworker of Local 186 from Seattle, Washington, was an ironworker for 44 years and worked on a variety of projects such as bridges, homes, and powerhouses.

The physical aspect of the work appealed to Mr. Vetsch.

"Being Mr. Tough-Guy," he said, was also a draw.

As the four-year rivet tossing champion of the festival, Mr. Vetsch was also there to defend his toughguy title from competitors.

"I'm ready to whip these kids," he boasted.

The weather cleared around noon, and spud wrench throwing, rivet tossing, knot tying, rod tying, and column climbing were among the competitions open to the ironworkers.

Results of the competitions follow:

Individual All-Around Competition: 1st- Eric Costa; 2nd- Rob Sweeney; 3rd- Chris Prophet.

Knot Tying: 1st - Eric Costa; 2nd - David Dumas; 3rd - Rob Sweeney.

Rod Tying: 1st - Dan Harmon; 2nd - Rusty Wilhelm; 3rd - Mike Judd.

Spud Throw: 1st - Eric Costa; 2nd- Rome Cerverizzo; 3rd - Mike Judd.

Rivet Toss: 1st - Eric Costa and Bob Harmon; 2nd - Marc Hlywiak and Bill Hunt; 3rd - Bill Ferraro and Steve Vetsch.

Column Climb: 1st - Eric Costa; 2nd - Rob Sweeney; 3rd - Nathan Santino.

Team Competition: 1st - Bill Hunt, Rob Sweeney, Chris Prophet; 2nd - Eric Costa, Bob Harmon, Richard Gallo; 3rd - Chris Wilmering, Don Robertson, Frank Winterer.

Old Timers All Around: 1st - Bob Harmon; 2nd - Craig Macintyre; 3rd - Brad Daubert.

World Championship Column Climb: 1st - Eric Costa; 2nd - Marc Hlywiak; 3rd - Chris Prophet.

Old Timers Rivet Toss: 1st - Bill Ferraro, Stephen Vetsch; 2nd - Craig Macintyre, Bernie Noble; 3rd - Dennis Milton, Charlie Snook.

Old Timers Column Climb: 1st - Bob Harmon; 2nd - Brad Daubert; 3rd - Dallas Compeau.