All-terrain vehicles will be a popular mode of transportation this weekend in Iron County as 21st Annual Iron County Memorial Weekend ATV Rally kicks off on Friday. Fairly dry weather conditions this spring have made trails ideal for riding during the three-day event that is co-sponsored by the Hurley Area and Mercer chambers of commerce, said Hurley Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ricky Kelly.
Wednesday's rainfall, totaling nealry an inch in some areas, however, added a few mud puddles along the trail system for the mud-runners.
By Thursday morning, 277 participants had pre-registered for the three-day event, Registration is taking place at both the Hurley and Mercer chambers.
With over 500 participants registering for last year's event, Kelly said "We expect at least that many this year."
ATV Trails
Iron County offers over 250 miles of routes and trails, and includes scenic areas such as waterfalls, breathtaking views of Lake Superior, the Penokee Mountains, and more. All ATV trails are open, Kelly added.
Great Weather Ahead
With little rain in the week-end forecast, Kelly reminds riders "It may be dusty out there, so you'll want to wear the bandana you'll receive when you sign up." Friday's forecast calls for partly sunny skies with highs around 72 to 77.
The temperature will drop to 47 to 52 degrees on Friday night, and then, with partly sunny skies on Saturday, climb to around 83 degrees, according to a spokesman from the National Weather Service in Marquette.
Unseasonably warm weather will continue on Saturday night, as the temperature drops to around 61 to 66. The temperature will climb to a high of around 86 degrees on Sunday, with high temperatures continuing through Monday, the spokesman said.
Rally Events
The rally will begin on Friday with registration for the Poker Run (which will be held through the weekend) at the Hurley Chamber office in downtown Hurley and at the Mercer Chamber office on U.S. 51, south, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Two poker run lists of 13 stops each will be available for purchase this year, Kelly said.
This year's ATV parade will be held in downtown Hurley at 6 p.m. Friday. Line-up will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Oneida Distributing, on the west end of Silver Street.
The parade will travel up 5th Avenue, one block to Copper Street, east on Copper Street to 2nd Avenue, down one block to Silver Street, through the downtown area, back to the starting point, Kelly said.
Last year's parade broke the Guinness record for World's Largest ATV Parade, with an unofficial 687 registered participants (and about 200 unofficial), Kelly said. "No need for another record-breaking attempt this year, but the parade will be big and lots of fun, just the same."
The Poker Run and registration will continue on Saturday, along with many other exciting events and activities throughout the county.
The famous "Mud Pit" event is scheduled for Sunday at 2 p.m.
Participants will maneuver their machines through a 25-yard long, 18-feet deep mud pit located just off of Hurley's Silver Street, along the Iron Horse trail.
In past years, the pit has drawn between 500 and 1,000 spectators.
This year's Poker Run will conclude on Sunday at 6 p.m., with the final poker hand drawings and the rally wrap-up party at the Iron Horse Inn on Silver Street, Kelly said.
By MARGARET LEVRA
Globe Staff Writer
Published Thursday, May 25, 2006 1:11:13 PM Central Time
Article Reference: http://www.ironwooddailyglobe.com/0526atvr.htm
Wednesday's rainfall, totaling nealry an inch in some areas, however, added a few mud puddles along the trail system for the mud-runners.
By Thursday morning, 277 participants had pre-registered for the three-day event, Registration is taking place at both the Hurley and Mercer chambers.
With over 500 participants registering for last year's event, Kelly said "We expect at least that many this year."
ATV Trails
Iron County offers over 250 miles of routes and trails, and includes scenic areas such as waterfalls, breathtaking views of Lake Superior, the Penokee Mountains, and more. All ATV trails are open, Kelly added.
Great Weather Ahead
With little rain in the week-end forecast, Kelly reminds riders "It may be dusty out there, so you'll want to wear the bandana you'll receive when you sign up." Friday's forecast calls for partly sunny skies with highs around 72 to 77.
The temperature will drop to 47 to 52 degrees on Friday night, and then, with partly sunny skies on Saturday, climb to around 83 degrees, according to a spokesman from the National Weather Service in Marquette.
Unseasonably warm weather will continue on Saturday night, as the temperature drops to around 61 to 66. The temperature will climb to a high of around 86 degrees on Sunday, with high temperatures continuing through Monday, the spokesman said.
Rally Events
The rally will begin on Friday with registration for the Poker Run (which will be held through the weekend) at the Hurley Chamber office in downtown Hurley and at the Mercer Chamber office on U.S. 51, south, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Two poker run lists of 13 stops each will be available for purchase this year, Kelly said.
This year's ATV parade will be held in downtown Hurley at 6 p.m. Friday. Line-up will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Oneida Distributing, on the west end of Silver Street.
The parade will travel up 5th Avenue, one block to Copper Street, east on Copper Street to 2nd Avenue, down one block to Silver Street, through the downtown area, back to the starting point, Kelly said.
Last year's parade broke the Guinness record for World's Largest ATV Parade, with an unofficial 687 registered participants (and about 200 unofficial), Kelly said. "No need for another record-breaking attempt this year, but the parade will be big and lots of fun, just the same."
The Poker Run and registration will continue on Saturday, along with many other exciting events and activities throughout the county.
The famous "Mud Pit" event is scheduled for Sunday at 2 p.m.
Participants will maneuver their machines through a 25-yard long, 18-feet deep mud pit located just off of Hurley's Silver Street, along the Iron Horse trail.
In past years, the pit has drawn between 500 and 1,000 spectators.
This year's Poker Run will conclude on Sunday at 6 p.m., with the final poker hand drawings and the rally wrap-up party at the Iron Horse Inn on Silver Street, Kelly said.
By MARGARET LEVRA
Globe Staff Writer
Published Thursday, May 25, 2006 1:11:13 PM Central Time
Article Reference: http://www.ironwooddailyglobe.com/0526atvr.htm
