Bridgefest will bring together the Copper Country’s largest communities for four days of summer celebration, featuring everything from competitive tournaments to family-friendly activities.
The annual festival celebrates the infrastructure connecting Hancock and Houghton, starting earlier this summer because Hancock plans to celebrate the summer solstice next week during Juhannus.
“Bringing together the Copper Country for some fun in the sun doesn’t have to mean competing between one another, though Bridgefest will have plenty of competition happening over the four days,” said Todd Gast, Hancock’s community development coordinator.
Saturday’s activities include pickleball and tennis tournaments in Hancock parks, along with a cribbage tournament at Nutini’s Supper Club and a cornhole tournament alongside the vintage car and motorcycle show.
“There is just so much to do,” Gast said.
Family activities kick off Friday at Quincy Green with the Kids on the Green event. A great opportunity for the Copper Country’s kids after recently ending the schoolyear.
“They’re going to be doing magnetic sand pits. Kids are going to get dirty and they’re going to love it,” Gast said. “We’re also having our hot diggity dog costume parade at 2 p.m.”
The Hancock Fire Department participates throughout the weekend. Firefighters pass out candy during the parade to kids and families. Then they’ll start serving beverages at the beer garden during Saturday’s street dance featuring the band Outlaw’d.
Chief Bill Lepisto said proceeds from the fire department’s beer garden will fund new ice rescue equipment. Since 2005 Hancock firefighters have helped in ice rescues and provided training opportunities to volunteers.
“our ice rescue suits need some attention,” Lepisto said. “We’re dedicating whatever money we make at this Bridgefest beer garden this year to go towards the cost of our ice rescue equipment. We need three suits that are $950 a suit.”
The inaugural Bridgefest raffle features 2,500 tickets for a 50-50 drawing. If all tickets sell, the winner receives $6,250.
“That money is going to get rolled right back into the community,” Lepisto said. “They’re talking about putting it back into Bridgefest for fireworks next year, giving some high school kids scholarship money to go on to school.”
Additional activities include the Vollwerth’s hot dog eating contest and helicopter rides starting Thursday.
The four-day celebration runs Thursday through Sunday, inviting residents and visitors to kick off summer in the Copper Country. Those interested in finding a full schedule of activities and events during Bridgefest this weekend can find information here. Learn more about Bridgefest online.
