Sept. 8, 2009

Museum visitors can harvest a bushel of family fun when the Michigan Iron Industry Museum in Negaunee Township launches its Fall Festival event on Sept. 19 and 20. Activities are slated from noon to 4 p.m. both days.

"From music, arts and crafts, pony rides, international dance, kids' games and displays, this museum event promises an enjoyable fall outing for visitors of all ages," said Barry James, an education specialist with the Michigan Historical Center.

Highlighting the weekend event will be concerts by Escanaba-based songwriter and storyteller Bill Jamerson. Jamerson will present "Up in the U.P," a concert combining music, song and stories about iron miners, ski jumpers, pasties, saunas, thimbleberries and other subjects unique to the Upper Peninsula. Performances will be at 1:30 p.m. both days in the museum auditorium.

The NMU International Dancers will demonstrate folk dancing from many lands and the Negaunee YMCA will offer an "Old-Time Fun For Everyone" activities area. Families can enjoy three legged races, sack races, parachute games, rock painting and much more. Boys and girls alike will also enjoy free pony rides offered by Raynor Johnson of Champion.

Other demonstrations will feature metalworking by Bud Williams of Sands Township; tinsmithing, weaving and rag doll making by the Calvin Struck family of Republic; and original Gicleé artwork by Courtney Johnson of Ishpeming. Plein Air, a coterie of area artists who draw inspiration for painting from nature, will set up on the museum grounds on Sunday. Also on Sunday, Karen Valley of Winter Sky Wool Company will exhibit Shetland lambs as well as yarns, roving and fleeces. Items from demonstrators will be available for purchase.

On both days of the event museum visitors can sample natural and organic foods offered at a Marquette Food Co-op tent and make cider - cranking it out by hand with an apple press demonstrated by Barb Trombley of Chatham.

Visitors of all ages can enjoy coffee, cider and donuts, with donations going to support museum education programs.

The two-day schedule includes:

• Bill Jamerson in concert, "Up in the U.P.," 1:30 p.m. museum auditorium (Saturday and Sunday)
• NMU International Dancers, Noon to 4 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday)
• Free Pony Rides, Noon to 4 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday)
• "Old Time Fun for Everyone," Bell Memorial YMCA in Negaunee, Noon to 4 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday)
• Arts and Crafts Demonstrations Noon to 4 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday)
• Marquette Food Co-Op Tent, Noon to 4 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday)
• Apple Cider Press, Noon to 4 p.m. (Saturday & Sunday)
• Plein Air and petting zoo (Sunday only)

The Michigan Iron Industry Museum is one of 11 nationally accredited museums administered by the Michigan Historical Center, a public, non-profit facility of the Department of History, Arts and Libraries. It is located at 73 Forge Road, overlooking the site of the Carp River Forge, a pioneer industrial site listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The recently expanded museum is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Oct. 31. For more information, or for winter hours, call (906) 475-7857 or visit online at www.michigan.gov/ironindustrymuseum.

The Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL) is dedicated to enriching quality of life and strengthening the economy by providing access to information, preserving and promoting Michigan's heritage and fostering cultural creativity. In addition to the Michigan Historical Center, HAL includes the Library of Michigan, the Mackinac Island State Park Commission and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. To learn more, visit www.michigan.gov/hal.

Read more press releases from the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL).