(Photo courtesy of the Ishpeming Historical Society)

ISHPEMING — “It was nineteen years ago this summer that the first meeting of the Upper Peninsula Fireman’s Association was organized in Ishpeming and there has not been a tournament here since that time, while some of the cities in the peninsula have had the honor of entertaining the firemen on several occasions during that period, so the Ishpeming department is to do its utmost to make up for lost time and put on the best show they know how next week.” (Iron Ore, August 8, 1914)

The firemen’s tournament had finally come back to Ishpeming. The town would be looking its very best for the tournament.

“The committee that is looking after the decorating of the city for the Sons of St. George and Pythian conventions and the meeting of the Upper Peninsula Firemen’s association has awarded a contract to the George E. Fern Decorating company, of Cincinnati, to do all the work.” (Iron Ore, July 4, 1914)

Such tournaments, conventions, conferences and other large gatherings were much desired for the cities and towns of the Upper Peninsula as they brought many people to town who needed to be housed, fed and who spent their dollars in town during the event. If it was a state convention, that meant even more visitors. So it was important for Ishpeming to present a good appearance.

“The visiting firemen will surely be interested in the city’s new fire hall, which is considered the finest in this section of the country and which is equipped in a first-class manner. All of the departments belonging to the association have assured the local department that they will be represented by large delegations, as the word has been passed around that the tournament this year will contain features never before witnessed at a firemen’s meeting.” (Iron Ore, August 8, 1914)

“The programs for the Upper Peninsula Firemen’s tournament, to open in Ishpeming Wednesday next, just completed, are a guarantee of four eventful days for the townspeople and their guests. The latter will be numerous, as practically every fire chief in the association has written that his department will be represented. In many instances the entire membership has planned to come. A number of the chiefs have expressed their approval of the abandonment of the old-style firemen’s races. The proposed new races will test the skill of the firemen in the practical work, and they will not require extensive training, as several teams will ride to the point where the coupling is to be done. The auto runs from the fire hall to the Cleveland field, where the contests will take place, will not be timed, but the time will be taken when the trucks reach the line where the hose or ladders are to be drawn from the wagons.” (Mining Journal, August 7, 1914)

“From the opening to the close of the tournament there will be practically continuous entertainment. The firemen will arrive on regular and special trains Wednesday morning. At 10:30 o’clock that morning there will be a balloon ascension by Ed Hutchinson’s aeronauts. The automobile parade will take place at 1 o’clock, and the firemen’s parade will be held at three.” (Mining Journal, August 7, 1914)

The highlight of the tournament, for many, was the children’s parade, held on Thursday, August 13 at 3 pm. Planning for the parade began several weeks before the actual event. “That Ishpeming residents are thoroughly interested in the firemen’s tournament, to be held the week after next, is evident from the many offers of assistance received by Chief Lacey and the other members of the executive committee. The women seem particularly interested in the children’s parade, which they plan to make even a more notable success than the admirable parade held here last year, during the homecoming week.” (Mining Journal, August 1, 1914)

“Surpassing any previous pageant in Ishpeming, the children’s parade yesterday afternoon at 3 o’clock, the best feature of the upper peninsula firemen’s tournament, was witnessed by thousands of persons. More children were in line than appeared in the parade for the homecoming celebration last year, and the many unique features brought frequent applause from spectators. Many novel ideas were carried out and the number of floats was large. Much credit for the success of the parade is due to Miss Winifred Lacey (sister of Fire Chief Lacey,) who managed the entertainment, and to the ward committees that had charge of their children.

The procession was led by the Ishpeming City band, which was followed by about forty boys wearing firemen’s uniforms similar to those worn by Ishpeming’s first fire department. Bright red shirts were the most prominent part of the uniform. The ‘Fire King,’ the first fire pump used in the city, was pulled by several of the boys.

To enumerate the various features carried out is impossible, the number was so great. It required nearly three-quarters of an hour for the procession to pass a given point.” (Mining Journal, August 14, 1914) An estimated 1800 children participated in the parade. That ‘first fire pump’ is still in existence and was a part of last year’s Independence Day parade.

“The Upper Peninsula Firemen’s association will hold its tournament of next year at Manistique. This was decided at the business session of the annual convention held here last evening. Hancock also was a bidder for the 1915 tournament. Manistique was the choice of the delegates by a vote of thirty-four to twenty-one.” (Mining Journal, August 13, 1914) John Lacey, Ishpeming’s fire chief was elected president of the association for the coming year.

“Hancock’s application for the convention and tournament of 1915 was presented by State Senator W. Frank James. State Senator James C. Wood argued the case for Manistique. Editor Pat O’Brien of the Iron River-Stambaugh Reported also addressed the convention. On behalf of the fire department and citizens of the village, he invited the association to meet at Iron River in 1916.

The Marquette department was the best appearing company in the parade yesterday afternoon, the judges decided. It was awarded the prize of $15. Special mention was won by the Atlantic firemen, along with a prize of $10. For traveling the longest distance, the Soo department was awarded $10.” (Mining Journal, August 13, 1914)

“Attracted by the entertainment offered by the Upper Peninsula Firemen’s tournament, Ishpeming was thronged by several thousand visitors on the opening day. The balloon ascensions, auto parade and firemen’s parade were witnessed by crowds that filled the business streets.

Trains from Marquette, Negaunee and other points to the east, as well as from the copper country towns, brought in hundreds of visitors, many of whom will remain throughout the week.” (Mining Journal, August 13, 1914)