No One Celebrates ‘The Fourth’ Like Iron Rangers
Everybody has his or her favorite holiday. Like many other Rangers, mine happens to be the Fourth of July. In fact, MANY non-Rangers have been inducted into Range Fourth of July celebrations; these Independence day evangalists now refuse to celebrate anywhere else. Who would? Who else has a street dance like Eveleth or the Aurora Freedome Fete or the Gilbert Gala Parade ? Where else can you eat Becky’s eggrolls, Barb’s fried bread. barbeques, fireworks, the best parades and TONS of fun!
A time of reunions and friendship at their finest
There is no better time of year to reconnect with old friends, classmates and family. EVERYONE comes home for the Fourth of July on the Range. Seriously, I would give up a party any other day of the year but never the Fourth. Disclaimer: I’ve only had two not-so-fun Fouths and that’s because I was big and pregnant. Oh, and one time I broke my foot by foolishly jumping into a friends arms; you guessed it—he didn’t catch me. Sitting for hours in the ER, I missed the street dance and was immobile for the rest of the summer. Otherwise, I have never been disappointed.
It’s the pre-celebration that rocks!
Interestingly, Most of the fun doesn’t necessarily take place on “July 4th.” Rangers actually like to extend the entire holiday by starting the party several days ahead—this coming weekend will start it all! In Eveleth, Goodfella’s Bar and The Grille has Sweet Freedom playing Friday and Saturday night from 9:30 pm until 1:30 am. Saturday is Gilbert’s annual street dance featuring the Prodigal Sons Band playing outside Devo’s Sand Bar, the Pat Ram Pub and Jim’s Seldom Inn. This street dance always sets the mood for more fun times ahead! July 2nd through the 4th, the city of Aurora will be whooping it up with the Freedom Fete Music and Pig Roast. Bring the whole family for great roast pork sandwiches and live music.
Now, July 3rd happens to be (in my opinion of course) the MOST FUN NIGHT OF THE YEAR! Here’s the scoop: most people start the day with a huge barbecue. Then, people either make their way downtown Gilbert for the BIG NIGHT PARADE; this is the Range’s biggest Fourth of July parade and people come from ALL OVER to line the streets and catch souvenirs, candy and of course a BUZZ (no pun intended). The entire town is packed full. If a huge crowd isn’t your deal, Aurora will have a parade at 6pm, which may be smaller, but still a good time. After the parades, some folks hang around to view the fireworks, but most head down the highway to Eveleth for “Thunder over Eveleth” and the famous 3rd of July Street Dance. Most people usually don’t dance here, but rather they listen to good music and meet up with old friends to share laughs, catch up and party down.
Wake up with your party hat still attached
Only on the Iron Range will you find hard-core Fourth of July fans that wake up early on the 4th, get a famous Bloody Mary’s at Eggy’s Red Garter or a Lime Cooler from the Roosevelt and watch yet another parade go by. Here’s a little secret: most parade goers look forward dancing with Eveleth’s famous Clown Band; you’ll never see any better clown attire than here, folks. But if you’re up at the lake, like many are, one of the best-attended parades is Tower’s 4th of July Parade. This parade rocks! Parade participants really go all out attempting to win one of the cash prizes which are awarded for best club, best commercial, best family and Best in Show wins 450 bucks! Tell me that’s not incentive to go a little nuts. These are not the only parades, of course. Check Rangebuzz.com EVENTS for complete information about parades in Ely, 110th Anniversary Calithumpian Parade in Biwabik.
There’s no better place to celebrate our country’s birthday than THE RANGE! Relax, let loose and have an awesome holiday.
It’s now January-with about 3+ months of winter ahead-and many Rangers are tired of shoveling and complaining about the cold. If it’s not snowing an inch per hour, it’s a bitter 40 below (without the wind chill!) We’re all lacking a healthy dose of Vitamin D and feeling a little blue. Depression has set in, and getting up in the morning to face another dreary day takes all we have to just get out of bed.
Autumn represents the favorite time of year for many Rangers— football games, crisp air, beautiful colors, the first day of school (my personal favorite). There’s not a better time to drive down country roads and take in all the scenery surrounding us in Northern Minnesota than in September and October. Since I’ve lived on the Iron Range my entire life, I’ve discovered a variety of cruising roads with some great stops along the way. I’ll be sharing these special road trips with you, adding a new one to the list each week through mid October. Enjoy!
When my sister and I were out for a few cocktails Friday night at the 
One of my favorite summer events to hit Virginia, Minnesota, is the famous Land of the Loon Festival. Like many Rangers, I see the Land of the Loon as the official beginning of fun and celebration of summer. The festival kicks off Saturday morning with an extravagant parade that travels down 5th Avenue and Chestnut Street. Then the “Loonies” race to Olcott Park to indulge in a HUGE spread of ethnic foods—Gyros, Italian Sausages and Becky’s Egg Rolls—and to taste the most delicious desserts: sno-cones, cotton candy, funnel cakes and the famous mini-donuts (my son refuses to quit asking, “Can we get mini-donuts? Can we? Can we, Mom?”). The children, with their sticky faces and fingers, gather with their parents near the gazebo to dance and sing with the various entertainers. Talented artists and crafters share the park to sell their unique and beautiful creations year after year. After a day at the park, the nightlife fires up downtown at the Land of the Loon Street dance; the roads are blocked and people party hearty while they dance in the streets and enjoy more food, drink and entertainment. With smiles and full bellies, Rangers can’t get enough. Most return on Sunday just to do it all over again. Rain or shine, everyone shows up.
Later that evening, I always hit the LOTL Street Dance. There is one stop that’s automatic: I gotta get me some of Barb’s Fried Bread and a Becky’s Egg Roll or I’m not happy. And hundreds of other people share this vow, I’m sure. (I’ve been dieting all week just to gear up for this weekend!) But even better than stuffing my face, I look forward to hearing a couple of our Cool Range Bands. 