In the early 1900s, Michiganders began seriously contemplating a long-term solution for connecting the upper and lower peninsulas of the state. But it wasn't until the 1950s that viable plans for a bridge were submitted and approved. Construction of the 5-mile-long Mackinac Bridge took more than three years and was fraught with hazards -- chiefly the turbulent waters of the Straits of Mackinac. In 1983, three Michigan ironworker unions came together for the first Ironworkers Festival in Mackinaw City to honor the courageous men who built the bridge. Since then, the three-day festival has continued every year, appropriately in the heart of America's industrial heartland.
The main events at the festival are skill competitions. For the rod-tying event, participants form thin wires into figure-8s around the intersection of two metal rods. A rivet toss challenges ironworkers to pick up red-hot rivets with a tong and see how many they can toss to their partner in one minute. In a spud-throw showdown, participants hurl spud wrenches at a target, aiming to hit the bull's-eye. The highlight is the World Championship Column Climb, where participants scramble to see who can reach the top of a 35-foot steel column first, a feat for which records have been set at this festival. There are also special rivet toss and column climb competitions for the "old-timers" -- contestants ages 55 and up. Though the festival is open to the public, only ironworkers and retirees are permitted to participate in the competitions. At the awards ceremony, the top column climbers receive a gold, silver or bronze belt buckle, and a traveling trophy is presented to the highest-scoring three-man team from one union.
The festival starts with a Friday evening induction for new members of the Ironworkers Walk of Fame, a tribute to ironworkers and the Mackinac Bridgemen. You are welcome to visit this monument, which winds along the lakefront at the city's north end, at any time during the festival to view the statues and brick walkway with granite markers for inductees. On Saturday morning, a parade winds through downtown Mackinaw City. Children's activities, such as pony rides and kiddie column climbs, rivet throws and spud throws, take place during the day. An aerial lift hoists visitors to the tree line to get a great view of the Mackinac Bridge. A beer tent and live music are also on hand during Saturday's festivities.
Visiting or driving across the 5-mile Mackinac Bridge is must-do part of attending the festival that honors its builders. Postcard-worthy views of the Straits can be seen from the bridge, and crossing the massive span is a reminder of the skill and daring that went into its construction. You can also take the ferry across the Straits of Mackinac to visit Mackinac Island, home to a car-free community where bicycles and horse-drawn carriages are the only method of transportation. In Mackinaw City, Colonial Michilimackinac offers a glimpse into 18th-century life with a reconstructed fort and fur trading village. Of course, there's also the beautiful waters of the Straits, where visitors can go on lighthouse cruises, try parasailing or charter a fishing boat.
