ISHPEMING, Mich. (WZMQ) – Hundreds of people were in downtown Ishpeming on Friday to check out the annual Festival of Treasures. Multiple blocks of Main, Pearl, and Cleveland Streets were closed down for the yearly street sale, which featured dozens of vendors, live music, and plenty of food.
The yearly event, hosted by the city, kicks off the 4th of July weekend and helps bring awareness to what the city has to offer.
“So what happens is people come down here because it’s a nice festival,” said Ishpeming Mayor Jason Chapman. “And then they see that we have some awesome businesses here in downtown Ishpeming, and it often brings them back to look and see what they have in stock year round.”
Chairs could already be seen along the Ishpeming parade route, as it is a long standing tradition to get there early and claim the best seating areas for the event.
“It gets earlier and earlier because the parade gets more and more people to come and watch it in Ishpeming,” Chapman said. “This year, we have a little bit more of a heavy heart because we lost Councilman Stu Skauge, who for so many years was involved in planning the 4th of July here in Ishpeming. This year his family has a float in the parade in memory of Stu, and our city council will be right with them honoring the late council member who was a mentor and friend to many of us.”
The Ishpeming 4th of July Parade starts Saturday morning at 10:30, and the community picnic at The Al Quaal Recreation Area will follow at noon.
