Fireworks were one of many highlights of the weekend Bridgefest celebration. (Houghton Daily Mining Gazette photo)

HOUGHTON — Food, fun and fireworks were some of the facets of the weekend festival celebrating the Portage Lake Lift Bridge.

Bridgefest has been celebrated since 1987 in tribute to the Portage Lake Lift Bridge, which links the cities of Houghton and Hancock and the upper and lower Keweenaw Peninsula.

“I think we had a real good turnout Friday,” said organizer Ryan Towles on Saturday.

Towles was looking forward to amped-up fireworks that evening, as he cleaned up the grounds near the food court in the Ray Kestner Waterfront Park pavilion.

The Library Restaurant and Brew Pub and Rez Robin’s Frybread were two of several vendors, he said were serving a variety of foods and beverages.

Towles noted beer was also for sale, and recommended Rez Robin’s hot dogs, which are wrapped in fry bread dough and deep-fried.

Alpha Delta Kappa Relay for Life helper, Carol Wilson, noted this year’s food options appealed to people on any budget.

Along with a survivors walk, Relay for Life had children games set up in one area of the park.

The weekend celebration offered a wide range of other events, including outdoor concerts, sporting events, helicopter rides and artists booths.

“That parade last night,” an impressed Wilson said Saturday. “I couldn’t believe how long it was. It was wonderful with everybody merging together.”

Bridgefest is sponsored by the Keweenaw Peninsula Chamber of Commerce.