ONTONAGON – Events for the 60th annual Ontonagon Labor Day Festival leading into the holiday weekend promise something for everyone to enjoy.

A long-serving Labor Day Committee puts in a lot of hours to prepare for the community’s biggest festival of the year, and welcomed newcomers this year, hopefully ensuring the event will continue for many years to come.

“It’s a lot of work,” committee co-chairwoman Jan Tucker said. “We’ve got some new members that are helping this year and that really helps.

“It’s the last blast of summer,” she added. “Welcome fall.”

The celebration starts off with two events Thursday. The Ontonagon Gladiators will play the Baraga Vikings at the Ontonagon Area High School’s Carlson Field at 7 p.m. Thursday, the same time a concert is scheduled at the Ontonagon Christian Center, located just out of town at 22673 M-64.

The schedule picks up Friday when several events will take place in the evening.

Sponsored by Ontonagon Village, a community picnic from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Village Marina Park, will offer free hot dogs, chips and pop. Emergency vehicles will be on display at the marina, including the Aspirus Medical Helicopter, Michigan State Police, Ontonagon County Sheriff’s Department, Ontonagon Volunteer Fire Department, SoNCo Ambulance, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and more.

Transportation will be provided from the marina to the lighthouse, where people are invited to take free self-guided lighthouse tours until 7:30 p.m.

The Rock Skipping Championship will be at 6 p.m. at the marina, but be sure to preregister at the marina pavilion if you want to participate in the popular contest.