Nate Heffron, city manager, city of Negaunee

Live entertainment is about to start back up Iron Street, something we have all been waiting for after COVID. Staring June 15, the Negaunee City Band will be kicking off their 2022 Summer Concert Series.

Live music will be featured at the bandshell in Breitung Park. The concert series will play every Wednesday this summer starting at 7:30 pm, until Aug. 10. Some seating will be available, but participants are encouraged to bring lawns chair or blanket.

Thursday’s downtown will become a little livelier with the Negaunee DDA’s sponsorship of a new event, Irontunes. Irontunes will feature live music, bean bag tournaments, and socialization on the upper east end of Iron Street. Irontunes will take place on Thursdays starting on June 23 and ending on Sept. 22. Please note the event will not take place on July 7, due to Pioneer Days, or on July 28, due to the Thunder on the Range Music Festival.

Several businesses are looking to stay open later to offer food and drink options during this event.

The city will also provide additional seating options on Iron Street from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. This extra seating will encourage participants or onlookers to order a pizza, burger, or maybe even a pasty. The live music and tournaments will offer a simple night out which anyone can participate.

The Negaunee Irontown Association will be holding their annual 2022 Pioneer Days Celebration, July 1st – July 9, this will be their 41st year!

Pioneer Days 2022 will feature fireworks, the Pioneer Days Parade on Iron Street, music in the Old Town, a Beer Tent and Music by Day Dreamers & The Band Stetson, the Firefighters Tournament, alumni softball games and much more. A full listing of their events can be found at http://www.negauneeirontown.org.

The Negaunee Irontown Association invites you and/or your organization to participate in this year’s Pioneer Days parade. Any type of entry, large or small, is welcome. To participate, please complete the registration (found online at www.negauneeirontown.org) form and return it by Monday, June 27. Pioneer Days Parade begins at 11:30 a.m. Line-up begins at 10:30 a.m. at Negaunee Senior Center

Last but not least, the Thunder on the Range Music Festival. Now a three-day music festival on Iron Street, starting July 29th and ending on Aug. 31.

According to their website, Thunder on the Iron Range Music Fest was organized to promote the appreciation of the Americana-Roots Music Performing artists and the unique Cultures they’re derived from.

All operations are exclusively for charitable and educational purposes, the promotion of the Musical Performing Arts, and to provide support to local school programs and civic groups in the historic Upper Peninsula iron mining town of Negaunee Michigan. Thunder on the Iron Range turns Iron Street, Negaunee’s main drag, into an outdoor concert venue for 5000 lucky music fans!

A full weekend of some of the best touring country, classic and southern rock artists, a variety, and lineup unmatched by any other event in the area. This includes Blackberry Smoke, Cecil Allen Moore, Adam Carpenter & The Upper Hand, Tom Katalin & Highway 41, Winger, Lita Ford, FireHouse, Chad Borgen & The Collective, Stone Senate, Spun, Band of Heathens, Hellbound Glory, and Chasin’ Steel. Please visit https://thunderontheironrange.com/ for more information or to purchase tickets. Shuttle services will be available.

This is just a sampling of what will be happening in downtown Negaunee. We invite you to come out and have a good time, Forge Your Adventure with us this summer!