WELCOME EVENTS 129th Annual Iron County Fair - August 12-16, Iron County, Michigan Iron River Our Featured Events have From carnival games to rides, live music to high-energy auctions, the Miss Iron County Queen pageant to the demolition derby, rabbit showmanship to horse speed events, Welcomes You something FUN for everyone! Grandma’s best preserves to dream catchers, there’s something at the Iron County Fair for everyone. Head on down to the fairgrounds in Iron River to enjoy the best home- Iron County is climbing the charts as one of the Upper Peninsula’s up-and- town county fair in the U.P.! coming travel destinations. Whether you’re looking for an affordable family Windsor Center “Open Mic” - Every Last adventure or you’re in search of that wall-mount-worthy northern pike, you’re Saturday in March-October, Iron River End-of-Summer Blues Fest - August 29, Alpha sure to make lasting memories here! If you’re a music lover, this is the festival for you. This day-long music festival features Iron County is home to a variety of musicians; Open Mic is a showcase of that talent. five true-blues bands from all over the country. Enjoy the Freedom Ride with veterans It is not a true “open mic” where anyone gets up to play but, rather, a full concert on their motorcycles and the classic “blues-berry pie eating contest.” Food and adult Camp, hunt, fish and hike in our 400,000 acres of public forestland in the Ot- featuring six acts, each playing a different genre of music. Every month is different, tawa National Forest. Catch your limit of a multitude of fish species in our beverages are available, but there are also fun activities for kids! The End-of-Summer and you never know who you’ll see perform, but the quality of entertainment is con- Blues Fest is always the last weekend in August in Alpha’s historic circle. more than 300 lakes and 300 navigable river miles, five streams of which are sistently great! designated Blue Ribbon Trout Streams. Here you’ll never be fighting through crowds, stuck in traffic or waiting for hours in endless lines. Wherever you find Crystal Theatre “Gem of a Season” Concert Harvest & Haunt Fall Festival - September 26, yourself in Iron County, our Northwoods clear waters and quiet retreats are Series - May-October, Crystal Falls Iron River never more than a few steps away. This fall and music festival is a free, family-friendly event featuring live music, kids’ The Historic Crystal Theatre in Crystal Falls puts on a series of concerts every year fea- games and crafts, trick-or-treating in the “haunted” campground, a spook-tacular turing solo artists and full bands playing every genre, giving music lovers a diverse But it’s not just our recreation that will wow you, because we know how to bonfire, and a beer tent for the adult ghouls and boys. This fun event is always the menu of entertainment. Visit www.thecrystaltheatre.org for a complete schedule and last Saturday in September among beautiful fall colors in the Klint Safford Memorial entertain, too! Iron County has several claims to fame. We are home to the Log ticket purchasing. Cabin Capital of the Midwest, the Iron County Historical Museum located in RV Park in Iron River. Those camping in the park during this weekend compete in a Caspian. Care to check out the world’s oldest and largest lifeform? Then visit us Father’s Day Events In Iron County - decorating contest to win a free weekend of camping. the first weekend in August to enjoy the Humongous Fungus Festival in Crystal June 19-21, Iron River Beethoven & Banjos - October 3, Crystal Falls Falls! Or maybe you’d like to attend the only professional rodeo in Michigan, A variety of activities including golf tournaments, outdoor expos and craft shows hap- coming to Iron River for the 53rd year on July 15 through July 18! From con- This annual cross-genre chamber music festival travels across the Upper Peninsula pen on Father’s Day weekend, not to mention the city-wide rummage sales! Grab a of Michigan and makes a stop at the Crystal Theatre in Crystal Falls. Admission is by certs to art classes to festivals, we’ve got something to challenge your cultural map from the WIKB Radio Station on Genesee Street in Iron River or on Facebook and pallette. Find a full calendar of our fun and unique events at iron.org/events. donation and listeners are given the opportunity to hear and experience unique pro- follow the Sale Trail to a multitude of rummage sales around the area. Find your next grams embedded with the spirit of the U.P., with school and community programs. second-hand treasure on Father’s Day Weekend! While you’re here, you’re sure to enjoy warm hospitality and be treated to amaz- ing meals. It doesn’t matter what side of the county you find yourself; there are Second Sunday Folk Dance Series - Bass Festival - July 9-12, Crystal Falls October-April, Crystal Falls great watering holes and restaurants - just ask the locals! From award-winning Enjoy a full weekend of fun including a boxing tournament, parade, fishing contest, pasties and pizza to upscale southern BBQ and fabulous friday night fish fries, Set in the beautiful dance hall at Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp, this is one of the volleyball tournament, community picnic, activities for kids, Run Your Bass Off 5K and Midwest’s most popular venues for folk music and dance and is the largest, longest- you’re guaranteed a memorable meal and maybe even a great hunting story much more. Located in various locations around Crystal Falls, visit iron.org/events for if you ask. running event of its kind. Shows are the second Sunday of each month from October more information. through April and feature an opening act and a full concert followed by instructed Get more insiders tips on the best restaurants, maps and waterfall tours, tickets 53rd Annual U.P. Pro Rodeo - July 15-18, folk dancing. for local events, and more at the Iron County Visitors Center. Make Iron County Iron River your hub for day trips to the other amazing sites around the Western U.P. We’ll Christmas Tree Galleria - November 15-22, Iron Photo by Kevin Zini by Photo The only Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) rodeo in Michigan takes place be your concierge and help you make the most of your stay. River the second weekend in July every summer in Iron River. The Upper Peninsula Champi- Every year, the Iron County Historical Museum in collaboration with local businesses onship Rodeo is an action-packed weekend featuring three performances with bull and The Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center are located at 50 East Genesee and organizations puts together 40 decked-out, themed Christmas trees. The Galleria bronco riders, cattle roping, barrel racing, steer wrestling, Rodeo Queen pageant, and hours during the week are daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Street in Iron River, right in the Klint Safford Memorial RV Park. Hours are Mon- more! Find more information and get your tickets at www.upprorodeo.com. day through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. For more information, please call 888-TRY-IRON or visit iron.org. Christmas in Lights - December 5, Iron River Humongous Fungus Festival - July 31-August 1, Local businesses, clubs and organizations create unique lighted floats to parade down Crystal Falls Genesee Street in Iron River. Attendees then gather for a warm bonfire, hot cocoa and Crystal Falls is home to the world’s largest, oldest, contiguous living organism, an Ar- free cookies at the Klint Safford Memorial RV Park. millaria bulbosa fungus. This “Humongous Fungus” spreads over 187 acres of land and is at least 2,500 years old. A festival celebrating this benevolent fungus was started Crystal Christmas - December 12, Crystal Falls more than 20 years ago and continues to be a tourist favorite, featuring a parade, Cover photo contributed by: Glines contributed Levi photo Cover Featuring an ice shack parade, craft & art show, a showing of a Christmas movie at the humongous 100-square-foot pizza, guided forays, mushroom cook-off, live music and Historic Crystal Theatre and more. Advertisers Index tons of other family fun. Events .......................................................... 5 ATV/Snowmobiling ............................... 18 Index Fall Colors & Activities .............................6 Non-Motorized Trails ............................ 19 Accommodations ............................... 24-26 Must-Do Activities ....................................7 Golf & Other Sports............................... 19 Attractions ...................................................26 The Mighty Michigamme ......................8 Camping ................................................... 20 Bars & Restaurants.............................. 26-27 Paddling & Boating ..................................9 Experience Nature ................................. 21 Municipality .......................................... 27-28 Fishing .................................................10-11 Humongous Fungus ............................. 21 Real Estate ................................................... 29 Waterfalls .................................................. 12 Hunting ..................................................... 21 Retail ....................................................... 29-30 Living in Iron County ............................ 13 Museums, Monuments, Music & Services ................................................. 31-33 Area Map ............................................14-15 More ........................................................... 22 Play in the Snow ..............................16-17 Restaurant Guide ................................... 23 Discover more great events, classes and concerts at Iron.org. Photo by Kevin Zini by Photo 4 2020 Visitor Guide Iron.org • (888) TRY-IRON 5 Photo by Kevin Zini by Photo Kevin Zini by Photo FALL COLORS COLORS FALL ACTIVITIES 10 MUST-DO Photo by Kevin Zini by Photo Photo by Dan Molter by Photo Autumn Color Tours Grab yourself some hot cocoa or a freshly brewed cup of coffee andpastry and hit the road for a fall color tour. Put some miles behind you and witness the incredible tide of color wash over our forests. Consider taking a late- night stroll or drive and discover the Aurora Borealis that stains our star- glittered night sky.