"A Hometown 4th Of July Tradition"
History of Baraga County Lumberjack Days
TAKEN FROM THE 1976 BICENTENNIAL BOOK FROM THE BARAGA COUNTY CELEBRATION
"A committee of interested citizens was formed in late 1968 to plan a Centennial Celebration for Baraga Township on the weekend of July 4, 1969. The committee was successful and a gala Homecoming and Celebration was held. The celebration was such a success that the people involved decided to try again in 1970 and 1971. By then it was an annual affair for the Township and Village of Baraga and for Baraga County.
The name 'Lumberjack Days' was suggested for the 1970 celebration and was adopted as the theme for that year. When incorporation as a non-profit organization was planned the name Baraga Township Lumberjack Days was chosen, and on June 29, 1972 the articles of incorporation were filed with the Michigan Department of Treasury. A variety of activities have taken place in previous years. A yearly event is the Annual Lumberjack Dance where the Lumberjack Days Queen is crowned. The logging games have grown popularity each year for the young and young at heart. A Beard Contest was a Centennial event as was the 1869 Dress Contest. Horse pulling was enjoyed by many and the Log Rollers thrilled many onlookers as well as a few brave local recruits."
**If you have any additional older photos from past Lumberjack Days and would like them displayed on our website, please contact us!