A festival celebrating the hard work of ironworkers, along with the dedication of a monument in honor of their efforts, will take place in Mackinaw City Friday, August 13, to Sunday, August 15. The village hosts the festival in honor of the workers who built the Mackinac Bridge and similar superstructures across the country. Ironworkers will gather to compete in skill contests, enjoy live music, and see the first phase of the monument construction.

“It showcases the skills that were required in those days to build a bridge [like the Mackinac Bridge],” said Mike Coleman, president of the International Ironworkers Festival.

While the contests are a major focus of the festival, the camaraderie is the main draw for returning ironworkers, Mr. Coleman said.

The festival has changed over the course of 28 years as more participants bring their families. Children's games were added several years ago, said Brian Diskin, who has served as master of ceremonies for the festival for 23 years.

“It used to be just the guys that came and very few children or spouses would come,” Mr. Diskin said. While the men participate in the competition, the children can enjoy miniature versions of the column climb and spud throw.

The weekend will open with a dedication ceremony of the ironworkers monument, which is being built in three phases. The ceremony will unveil the first phase, a figure of an ironworker. Surrounding the figure will be paver bricks and larger blocks inscribed with the names of ironworkers and unions. In upcoming years, a large globe formed from IBeams will be added, along with two other figures to be placed on top of the globe, along with the original one. The complete work will represent how ironworkers' efforts have built the world.

The hammering beat of rivet guns slamming against metal will echo through the village as a parade travels through the village Saturday at 10 a.m. Ironworkers will be on decorated floats, some demonstrating how rivets are driven while others in their working gear will wave to passers-by. Beginning at the Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry parking lot, the parade will travel down Central Avenue toward the Mackinaw City Public Schools, where ironworkers will prepare for the day's events.

“The banging of the rivet gun, you can't hear that any more, but you can hear it in Mackinaw,” Mr. Coleman said.

Throughout the day, ironworkers will show off their skills in spud throwing, column climbing, rivet tossing, and other events at the school.

The competitions continue on Sunday with the world champion column climb, followed by the old-timers' events. The festival will finish in the afternoon with an award ceremony.

“If people are looking for a bit of fun and something different, come on over,” Mr. Coleman said.

Schedule of Events

Friday:

Noon to 6 p.m. - Registration for Competition

3 p.m. - Ironworkers Walk of Fame and Monument Ceremony

6 p.m. - Dancing and Live Music

Saturday:

10 a.m. - Parade Beginning at Shepler's Parking Lot

11 a.m. - Children's Events at Mackinaw City Public Schools

Noon Skilled Events Begin

6 p.m. - Dancing and Live Music

10 p.m. - 50/50 Raffle Drawing

Sunday:

10 a.m. - World Champion Column Climb, Old Timers Events

2 p.m. - Award Ceremony