Calumet gears up for BoomTown celebration
Calumet gears up for BoomTown celebration
| CAPTION: Jane Nordberg/Daily Mining Gazette BoomTown pageant contestant Alyssa Rose receives a final fitting from event organizer Jeannie Grathoff Tuesday in preparation for Thursday’s event. |
By JANE NORDBERG, DMG Writer
CALUMET — Sashes will fly and sledgehammers will swing at this year’s BoomTown Revival held Thursday through Saturday in Calumet.
Starting things off is the Miss BoomTown Pageant, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Calumet Theatre. Jeannie Grathoff, president of sponsoring organization the Calumet-Laurium-Keweenaw Business Association, said six girls aged 14 to 17 are vying for this year’s title.
“It’s a very exciting time for them,” Grathoff said of this year’s competitors, who include last year’s first runner-up Samantha Beasley as well as Beth Kump, who notches her third time in the pageant.
Wearing vintage evening gowns reminiscent of the turn of the century, the young contestants will show their talents and answer questions from the judges as radio personality Mitch Lake serves as master of ceremonies.
The winner will receive a tiara, sash and $100, while first runner-up will receive a tiara, sash and $50.
Friday’s events include the “Ka Boom” Kids Carnival scheduled for noon at the George Gipp Arena in Laurium, sponsored by the MSU Extension office and Americorps. A chicken barbecue will also be held Friday at the Calumet Elks Club from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
On Saturday, BoomTown heads into high gear with a plethora of vendors and activities necessitating the closure of Calumet’s Fifth Street for most of the day.
“We’d like to have everything set up and going by 10 a.m.,” Grathoff said. Vendors can set up as early as 8 a.m., and Fifth Street will be closed from Scott Street to a little past Oak Street. Grathoff said the north end of the street would be the area for food and snacks, with Mohawk’s White House working together with Jayne’s L & L Bar to provide hot dogs, burgers and nachos. The Irish Times of Laurium, meanwhile, will offer barbecued ribs and chicken drumsticks.
At noon, the newly-crowned BoomTown pageant queen and her court will lead off the parade, featuring antique cars and a variety of floats.
“Anyone who wants to build a float or has an antique car they would like to show off, we would welcome them,” Grathoff said. Prizes will be awarded to the best float and the best car. While there is no entry fee for the parade, participants who wish to be judged need to pre-register. Forms are available at Nite Lite Magic on Fifth Street. Kids are also welcome to try the rock wall and the bounce tent at the Gipp Arena, as well as pony rides starting at 1 p.m.
Meanwhile, those needing to take out a little heat-induced aggression can take their frustrations out on a car donated by Jake’s Seventh Street garage. “Every two bucks gets you a swing with the sledgehammer,” Grathoff explained.
Music will be provided throughout the day with two alternating stages set up to accommodate performances. The Javalinas from Chicago will present their unique blend of “country rock alternative” music while Baraga County’s own Elvis impersonator David Firestone will sneer and gyrate as only the King can.
BoomTown culminates in the traditional street dance from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday.
Grathoff invited anyone interested in learning more about Calumet to come out and enjoy the weekend.
“It’s a time to celebrate the heyday of Calumet around the turn of the century,” she said. It’s also good economic sense. “We want to bring people to Calumet who wouldn’t normally come here and show them our quaint business district. It’s a good time.”
Vendors and potential float participants can contact Grathoff at 337-1280.
Jane Nordberg can be reached at jnordberg@mininggazette.com
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