Tower and Soudan get ready for the Fourth!

TOWER-SOUDAN — Want to take part in all that Tower and Soudan have to offer this Fourth of July weekend? Then get your running shoes out, your appetite up, and your sun hat on to enjoy two days packed with fun.
Planning for this year’s event is moving ahead smoothly, said Jolene Mroszak, president of the Tower-Soudan Lake Vermilion Events Board, the group that organizes the event.
“The only hiccup is the civic center parking lot,” she said. The lot is typically the staging area for the parade. But a restoration project at the old train depot is underway, and part of the parking lot is cordoned off. But Mroszak said they will be able to make it work.
“We have such a great group of volunteers working on the event,” she said. “It makes sure that everything goes along smoothly.” She did admit she will take a big, deep breath when it is over.
Fourth of July morning starts with the Vermilion Walk and Run. Registration is from 6:45-7:45 a.m. on the lawn at the Lake Vermilion Cultural Center (across from the civic center). There is a 5K run/walk, 10K run, and a one-mile kids fun run. Preregister at the Timberjay or by emailing jsummit@vermilioncountry.org. Cost is $15 in advance or $20 on race day. Kids 12 and under run free with a paid adult. And ask about the family rate. Prizes awarded for top three men and women finishers for each race, and all the kids run participants get a goodie bag. Any questions, call 218-753-2950. The race is a fundraiser for Vermilion Country School and is sponsored by Friends of VCS and the TSLV Events Board.
If you aren’t up for a run, or are hungry after the race, stop by the Lamppa Civic Center for the pancake breakfast, sponsored by the Tower-Soudan Civic Club. Pancakes are served from 8-10:30 a.m. Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for 12 and under. The menu includes pancakes, sausage, juice, and coffee.
Flag-raising at Tower City Hall at 10:15 a.m., with parade emcee LuAnn Zaudtke singing the “Star-Spangled Banner.” LuAnn will then set up on Main Street to emcee the parade.
All area children are welcome to participate in the Kiddie Parade, with registration starting at 10 a.m., and the parade sets off at 10:45 p.m. Line up between Ubetcha and the Birch & Main building. Decorations are welcome but not required. All children will receive $5 plus other goodies.
The big parade starts at 11 a.m. and runs from the civic center up to Zup’s.
This year’s Honored Citizen is the late Tim Kotzian and the Kotzian family. Tim was the city’s longtime clerk-treasurer, and his extended family helped organize the Fourth of July events for many years.
The parade will feature four marching bands: Northeast Range, Rock Ridge, Mesabi East, and the Ely Klown Band. Other parade participants include the Tower-Soudan Unicyclowns, the Shriners and their cars, Northwoods Saddle Club, Ghostbusters North, Miss Minnesota Rachel Betterley (art teacher at North Woods School), and lots of family and business floats. Since this is an election year, there will be plenty of politicians out shaking hands too, she said.
Please pre-register any floats with Jolene Mroszak at 218-255-2131 or email tseventsboard@gmail.com. Prizes are awarded for best of show, first, second, and third, best family float, most patriotic, and best business/commercial float.
There will be a flyover, Hibbing to Tower to Ely, but the time will be anytime between 11 a.m. – noon.
After the parade, it’s time for the sawdust scramble and children’s races on the football field on North Second St. The scramble, located once again on the west end of the field, starts at 12:30 p.m., with races following. There are categories for ages two and up, with cash prizes for each race! After all the children’s races are done, there will be some fun adult races scheduled.
Be sure to check out the Breitung Fire Department’s beer garden on Main Street, as well as all the food trucks and other vendors. All the area restaurants will be serving specials.

Traffic detour
Traffic will be detoured off Main Street from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., along North 2nd St. The detour route will be marked.

Fireworks a miss again this year
Due to a host of factors, including the costs, and lack of qualified volunteers and vendors that are licensed to put on shows, there will be no fireworks this year.
“We are truly disappointed,” said Mroszak. “We’ve tried to get something organized for the past year but there is only so much our all-volunteer crew can make happen. We do hope there will be displays in future years.”

Main Street vendors and area restaurants
Main Street will be full of vendors and food trucks including: Buns to Go, Looney Pop, One Pine Tree Farm (flowers and photo booth), Michelle Epp merchandise tent, KJ’s Kitchen, Shaved Ice, Vermilion Trading Co., Immanuel Lutheran food/beverages/treats, Oriental Orchid, Breitung Fire Department beer tent, Fish Tacos, 218 Embroidery, and Vermilion Weiner Cruiser.
Fourth of July Day Specials at area restaurants include:
Good Ol’ Days: Stop by for burgers, beer, mixed drinks, pulled pork, green machines, Bloody Mary’s, and frozen Margaritas.
Sulus Espresso Café: Cookies, scones, breakfast sandwiches, and hot and cold coffee drinks inside, open 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Benchwarmers: Cheeseburger and fries special, mixed drinks and bottle beer $1 off, Friday all-you-can-eat fish or shrimp special 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
D’Erick’s/Erickson Family: Beer garden, Bloody Marys, pulled pork and chicken sandwiches, VSee Box Booth, hats, shirts, and toys. Willy Martin will be playing music. Plus bean bags!
Vermilion Club: Live music with Ranger Things on Saturday, July 4 from 8 – 12 p.m.
Tower Café: Open 7 a.m. – 1 p.m. with outdoor window service. Limited menu breakfast and lunch items including Soudan breakfast burrito, biscuits and gravy, cinnamon rolls, and muffins. Lunch items are hot dogs, brats, and pulled pork. Plus, coffee, pop, and water.

Sunday community picnic in Soudan
Breitung Township is hosting its annual community picnic on Sunday, July 5. Stop by the skating rink area for free hot dogs, popcorn, root beer floats, plus games and fun for all ages. There will be water play areas (pools, slip-and-slide, etc.) set up for children, so children should bring a bathing suit/clothes that can get wet.