gneese@mininggazette.com

HANCOCK — The City of Hancock celebrated the end of summer with a day of games, vendors, activities and music.

The new event had crowds of more than 200 people on Quincy Green at times Saturday afternoon, said Todd Gast, the city’s community development manager.

“People have been coming and going and having fun, so we’re all pretty impressed,” he said.

Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette Crowds enjoy food and other booths during Saturday’s End of Summer Celebration in Hancock.

Around 5:30 p.m., people were still enjoying the day, with kids playing on bouncy castles or lining up for food trucks.

Kathryn Somero of Houghton was driving by with her family when she decided to stop in. Out of everything, her kids liked the games most.

“I think it’s really cool,” she said. “I think it’s really fun for the kids, and it’s cool that everything’s free for them. I really like that idea, and I think it’s very hometown.”

A few steps above them outside Hirvonen Hall, Anna Sanchez of Keweenaw Community Alliance for Progressive Education (CAPE) was showing kids how to make giant bubbles. CAPE also had a booth on the lawn.

“There has been a big turnout, and so much positivity for the whole family,” said CAPE member Sanchez. “Kids on the Green was kid-centric. This is family, adults, teenagers, littles. It’s been awesome, and it’s been busy the whole time.”

Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette Bree Butler of Hancock makes a bookmark at Sew Crank’s booth as owner Ginger Aberti looks on during Saturday’s End of Summer Celebration in Hancock.

People also enjoyed vendors and demonstrations on Quincy Green.

Bree Butler had just finished making her own bookmark on a vintage sewing machine at Sew Cranky’s booth, while her mother, Karen Butler, was carrying tomatoes she’d picked up at the farmer’s market booth.

Bree said she’d enjoyed “all the booths.”

“I really love the crafts,” she said.

“And I really like the farmer’s market aspect of it, with raw vegetables,” Karen said. “I really love the tori here, too.”

Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette Marquette band Diversion plays to the crowd at Hancock’s End of Summer Celebration Saturday night.

The celebration finished with a street dance on the parking deck across the street, as Marquette band Diversion kept the crowd entertained with songs by everyone from Great White to Prince.

The band ceded the spotlight for close to an hour to a laser light show on Quincy Green. At its peak, the show drew more than 150 people.

Once the night was done, Hancock City Manager Mary Babcock said the city was happy with the event.

“I think we had a better turnout than we ever hoped for,” she said. “The music across the street was good, and there were a lot of families here. So overall, I think it went really well.”

Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette A laser show provided the grand finale for Hancock's End of Summer Celebration.

Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette A laser show provided the grand finale for Hancock's End of Summer Celebration.

Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette A laser show provided the grand finale for Hancock's End of Summer Celebration.

Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette A laser show provided the grand finale for Hancock's End of Summer Celebration.

Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette A laser show provided the grand finale for Hancock's End of Summer Celebration.

Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette Marquette band Diversion plays to the crowd at Hancock’s End of Summer Celebration Saturday night.

Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette Bree Butler of Hancock makes a bookmark at Sew Crank’s booth as owner Ginger Aberti looks on during Saturday’s End of Summer Celebration in Hancock.