The Cook County Historical Society (CCHS) hosted Don Hammer and Steve Frykman, two guest blacksmiths, during a live demonstration event at Bally Blacksmith & Metal Shop on Saturday afternoon. Visitors got a glimpse into the past of the historic shop in downtown Grand Marais that was pivotal in local metal repairs and tool-making well into the 1900s. The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.

Hammer and Frykman play important roles in the local metal and blacksmithing scenes. Hammer was the former director of the Art Colony and teaches local students blacksmithing and welding through Minnesota’s Guild of Metalsmiths and Cook County Higher Education. Frykman operates an art studio with his wife, Sharon, where they create incredible stained glass pieces that have been installed throughout the community. 

CCHS Executive Director Katie Clark mentioned the great turnout on Saturday despite the rain that came and went. Both the historic blacksmith and metal shop were open for guests to observe the tools and work of the logging and fishing industries that operated in the area. The blacksmith and metal shops are planned to be open again on September 27-28 with the hope of having a live demo on the 28th (weather permitting).

 Don Hammer and Steve Krykman are both local blacksmiths who volunteered for the demonstration at Fish Pic.

 Don Hammer, blacksmithing with a coal forge.

 Even with a cloudy Saturday afternoon, visitors still filled the lawn space where the blacksmithing occurred.

 Historic tools fill the blacksmithing shop for visitors to look at.

CCHS Executive Director Katie Clark shares stories and facts about the Bally Blacksmith & Metal Shop with visitors. 

Rock Skipping Contest

Brief rain showers didn't dampen the enthusiasm of participants and spectators of the annual rock skipping contest. Over XX people signed up under the men, women, or kids categories. Participants were required to find their own rocks, and were provided with one warm-up throw (if desired), and then the best of two throws based on how many "skips" a rock did. Grand Marais Lion Club Members Ahren Grunow and Jen Lee were judges. 

Winners

Women

1st Paulina Backstrom - Grand Marais, MN (last year's winner)

2nd Selah Martineau - Zimmerman, MN

Kids

1st Owen Reeves 

2nd Aijay Wicklund - Montreal, WI

Men

1st Jordan Backstrom - Grand Marais, MN

2nd Jessie Backstrom - Grand Marais, MN

 Lion Club Member Ahren Grunow explains the rules of the rock skipping contest to a large audience. Photo from Boreal Community Media contributor Katherine Wolf. 

 Participants were judged by how many "skips" a rock completed after being thrown. Photo by Laura Durenberger-Grunow. 

 Participants and spectators watch as a rock skips across the Grand Marais Harbor. Photo by Laura Durenberger-Grunow.

 Participants were required to find their own rocks before the contest, and were allowed one warm-up throw before the two judged throws. Photo by Laura Durenberger-Grunow. 

 Grand Marais Lion's Club Members Ahren Grunow and Jen Lee judged the rock skipping contest. Photo by Laura Durenberger-Grunow. 

Citizen of the Year Award

Mark Abrahamson won the Grand Marais’ Lion’s Club Citizen of the Year award on Saturday in Harbor Park. Pete Kavanaugh, President of the Lion’s Club, introduced Abrahamson and his many accolades including the following:

• Moved to Grand Marais in 1984 

• Worked for the Grand Portage Band as a nurse for 10 years 

• Worked at North Shore Health as a nurse, family liaison, and director of nursing assistants

• Instructed nursing for Cook County Higher Education 

• Performed and sang in the local playhouse

• Volunteered for WTIP for 15 years

• Has been on the ski patrol at Lutsen Mountains for 40 years and now instructs ski instructors 

Abrahamson follows the footsteps of his parents Howard and Joan, who were citizens of the year in 2000. He thanked the community and specifically, his long-time partner Steve Byers for the immense support. Abrahamson’s pivotal role in the community remains significant after decades of service. 

 Pete Kavanaugh, President of the Lion's Club, introduced Mark Abrahamson as the 2024 Citizen of the Year. 

An especially local crowd seemed to fill in Harbor Park to celebrate Abrahamson's well-deserved nomination.

 Citizen of the Year: Mark Abrahamson

Bhangra Pearls Performance

After the Citizen of the Year presentation, the Bhangra Pearls out of Minneapolis performed an incredible, vibrant dance in Harbor Park that drew the attention of the town. Bhangra is a traditional dance out of India and the group performed a set of high-energy pieces before passing the torch off to the next band. The dancers performed earlier in Harbor Park that afternoon, and again during the Fish Pic Parade on Sunday. Sponsored by Marathon Gas and Blue Water Cafe. 

 The Bhangra Pearls pulled in many onlookers with their high-energy dancing, colorful outfits, and lively music, contrasting the grey, cool day. 

 The Bhangra Pearls pulled in many onlookers with their high-energy dancing, colorful outfits, and lively music, contrasting the grey, cool day. 

 The Bhangra Pearls pulled in many onlookers with their high-energy dancing, colorful outfits, and lively music, contrasting the grey, cool day. 

Kids Tractor Pull

The kids tractor pull also occurred on Saturday afternoon. A concessionaire company provided the tractors, pulling sleds and equipment for the lineup of kids to put their power to the streets. Intense competition continued through the age groups as kids aged 4-11 made it further and further east on Wisconsin Street. The Tractor Pull was sponsored by Mike's Holiday Station Store. 

 

 The pedal tractor racers were a tough event for the younger age classes that competed. They would sometimes need a little push on the sled to get the tractor moving.

Loon Calling Contest

After glimpses of rain throughout Saturday afternoon, Fish Pic’s infamous loon call and cutest puppy contest went on as planned. Hundreds of spectators filled Grand Marais’ Harbor Park and watched, cheered, and judged the contestants on stage during the Championship Finals (a preliminary round took place Friday evening). 

The Loon Call contest started with the under 16 competitors, which included a 3-year-old. The accuracy of the calls was impressive for the young participants and could’ve rivaled their adult competitors. After the youth champion was crowned, the adults battled for the win. Each competitor got two rounds and the winners were selected by the volume and enthusiasm of the crowd.

Loon Calling Contest Winners

Under 16

Kylie Warner - Plymouth MN

16 and Older

Selah Martineau – Zimmerman MN

 The loon calls captivated the audience in Harbor Park.

  The loon calls captivated the audience in Harbor Park.

See a video of some of the loon-calling contestants, including the winner in the 16 and over category, Selah, here or below. Video courtesy of Boreal Community Media contributor Katherine Wolf. 

Cutest Puppy Contest

The Cutest Puppy Contest kicked off with around 20 dogs competing throughout five different classes: tiny, small, medium, large and huge dog breeds (determined by weight). Reactions from the crowd were significant to the diverse array of dogs. In the end, Mable, a Corgi puppy from Grand Marais, won the overall contest after taking the small dog category. A Sheltie, Golden Retriever, Maltipoo, and a Great Dane won their respective categories. An award was also given for the Best Handler. The event was sponsored by Rocky Knoll Boarding and Lake County Veterinary.

These Saturday night events continued their trend of high attendance and crowd interaction.

 Josiah Avery, owner of Rocky Knoll Boarding in Grand Marais, introduces the contest rules to the crowd of spectators. 

 Holli, the Maltipoodle, won the tiny puppy category.

 Holli, the Maltipoodle, won the tiny puppy category.

 Mable the corgi won the small dog and overall cutest puppy award.

 Niles the Sheltie won the medium dog category.

 Oakley the golden retriever won the large dog category.

 Lenny the Great Dane puppy was the only contestant and winner of the huge puppy category.

 Bucky, one of the contestants, is a special needs pup currently being fostered by the Cook County Arrowhead Animal Rescue. Photo by Laura Durenberger-Grunow. 

 Mabel and owner Annabell of Grand Marais, won the overall award for Cutest Puppy. Photo by Laura Durenberger-Grunow. 

 Over 20 puppies were entered into the 2024 Cutest Puppy Contest, sponsored by Rocky Knoll Boarding and Lake County Veterinary. Photo by Laura Durenberger-Grunow. 

See a short clip of the puppies doing a final walk-through before the awards were announced here. Video courtesy of Boreal Community Media contributor Katherine Wolf. 

Fireworks