Kelsey Niemisto

It’s almost that time — time for Negaunee residents to celebrate their beloved holiday, Pioneer Days! This year marks the 38th Annual Negaunee Pioneer Days, which will take place June 30-July 8.

The Negaunee Irontown Association — the organization responsible for the birth of Pioneer Days — began in 1979 to preserve Negaunee’s rich heritage, and to encourage former residents to return to the area. I’d say they’re doing their job! Every year around the Fourth of July, Pioneer Days takes place. The week-long celebration brings out hundreds of locals, former and current, to Negaunee.

Affectionately nicknamed “Pile of Beer Days” by Irontown residents, one of the biggest draws is the Negaunee High School Alumni Softball Games. During the week, NHS Alumni gather together at LaCombe Field (located along the southern half of Baldwin Avenue) to play softball against each other. The Class of 2015 plays the Class of 2000; The classes of 1973, 1974 and 1975 play against 1950-72, 1976 and 1977, and so on. If you’re not playing, sit beside the fence, crack open a cold one, and cheer on your favorite classes while catching up with friends. Although there are several mercy rules for the games, making them as fair and fun as possible, our good, old-fashioned Negaunee Pride (and love of the game) shows as classes begin to move forward in the brackets. The last Alumni Game is played the night before the parade and fireworks.

Throughout the week, several other events take place such as:

• Free admission at the Negaunee Historical Museum

• Continental Breakfast and Social Luncheon at the Senior Center

• Class reunions

• Negaunee Elks Kids Bike Parade

• Big Brothers Big Sisters Pioneer Days Run/Walk

• Negaunee Elks Kids Day at the Ice Arena

• VFW Post 3165 Open House & Wine Tasting

• Pasquali’s Car Show & Cruise

• Negaunee City Band performance

• Friends of the Negaunee Library Used Book Sale

• Salad Lunches and Pie Socials at the local churches

• Fish Boil by the Central U.P. Sport Fishing Association

• Family Picnics

• Pioneer Princess Pageant

• Social Night in Downtown Negaunee

• Negaunee Elks Open House

• Fox Negaunee Golf Outing

• Friday Free Flea Market

• Local Author Signings at the Negaunee Public Library

• Mr. UP Pageant

• Pioneer Days Alumni Fun Run/Walk

• numerous other presentations, luncheons, picnics and breakfasts

The last day of the All-Things-Negaunee Celebration is always a Saturday (this year, it’s July 8), and it always includes the Pioneer Days Parade beginning on Iron Street, usually at 11:30 a.m. Following the Parade is the Community Picnic at Teal Lake. There you’ll find food, music, children’s activities, and more, including the Firefighters Tournament! To end the week, a beautiful fireworks display begins at dusk right over Teal Lake. It truly is a sight to behold.

For me, growing up in (and never leaving) Negaunee has been a blessing, as I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. The friendliness, the sense of loyalty in the community, and the beauty of the city and township alike, are incredible. I am proud to call Negaunee my home, and cannot wait to celebrate Pioneer Days once again! I hope to see you there, as well.

To see the complete listings of events and times, visit www.negauneeirontown.org.

Editor’s note: Kelsey Niemisto is marketing and community events coordinatorof the Greater Ishpeming-Negaunee Area Chamber of Commerce.