Bay Day success could bring stage to Silver Bay

• Mud Run

A crowd gathered in Silver Bay for the mud run that has become a favorite during Bay Days. It is expected to be back next year. Matt Suoja

Talk about it

Silver Bay-Beaver Bay Days last month taught people about the history of the communities and raised some money for another entertainment idea.

Dave Gustafson, director for the event, said the train ride to Mile Post 7 from Northshore Mining raised more than $2,600 that could go toward a band shell for the city. It would go next to city hall on land owned by the Lake Bank.

Gustafson is hoping the business donates the land to the city.

“People have been talking,” Gustafson said. “It’s something that could happen every night.”

After an ecumenical service was put together on the Lake Bank lawn July 25, performances continued in following days, including a Christian rock music gathering.

Gustafson said people in the city were hinting that they could support a stage. He said there would be plenty of opportunities for groups, including theater troupes, bands, and the community choir. Others have expressed interest in forming a city band.

Gustafson doesn’t expect another train ride for five years due to costs. He is looking at having next year’s theme focused on timber. He said there could be logging contests, something featured at the Lake County Fair next week.

‘Indiana Connection’

The annual Bay to Bay 10K Run and Walk July 24 had a record 117 people participate. The race runs along the Superior Hiking Trail and ends in Beaver Bay.

The run was won by Josh Whitehead, 19, who was a part of an “Indiana Connection,” with a time of 44:41.7. Katie Moraczewski, 19, from Hugo, was the women’s winner with a time of 50:25.7 The “Indiana Connection” is a group of teenagers led by Bill Niederhaus who have run the Bay to Bay for the past four years. They drive from Princeton, Ind., a day before the race and leave right after it.

The oldest entrant was walker Toivo Savonen, 82, of Silver Bay and the youngest was Justin Niederhaus, only 10, from Indiana, with an impressive time of 55:09.7. Complete results can be accessed at www.boreal.org

/~durfee/results.htm or entering “Timing Boreal” on your browser.

New this year was timing provided by Steve’s Timing. Steve Deschene from Grand Marais donated time and equipment to several area races.

Tom Clifford and George Pope, co-managers of the races, emphasized that many volunteers are needed to have a successful event from the Silver Bay and Beaver Bay.

Muddin’

The four-wheeler mud run was down about 10 participants this year with 24 diving in. Gustafson said Silver Bay’s street superintendent said they were going to lay out the course using a tougher format, which may have deterred people from signing up. Everyone made it through the course and there are plans to do it next year.

Parade

Parade director Carol Youngberg said she had 84 units, up from 46 last year. She theorized that some of the increase had to do with people running for office. George Starkovich, former principal at Silver Bay High School, was the grand marshal of the parade.

Lighted boats

Youngberg said 13 boats participated in the lighted boat ceremony. Boats stayed at port instead of parading on Lake Superior, a nod to fears about venturing out onto the lake in the dark. Last year there wasn’t a parade because of hazardous conditions.

Tags: two harbors, silver bay, bay days, news