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Warm temperatures did not deter families from having fun in Copper Harbor Sunday afternoon at Lake Superior Day. The event is held annually on the third weekend of July and was started in Thunder Bay, Ontario. It has been a staple at the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula since 2013.
Don Kilpela, the lead organizer for the first seven iterations passed away last year, but his family is keeping the tradition going. Don’s niece, Miranda Kilpela-Davis, added one activity to this year’s Lake Superior Day to remember him.
Kilpela was originally from the Detroit area, but attended Michigan Tech and resided in Copper Harbor for most of his life.
One activity garnering the most attention was log rolling, facilitated by Michigan Tech’s Outdoor Adventure Program. Ashlyn Steer says that it is great to take the popular university class into the community. Several of the participants were eager and having fun, but not many were out of the water for long.
Steer says that world-class log rollers can duel for upwards of 15 minutes. It is offered as a physical education class at Michigan Tech, and some of the best students get to four or five minutes before taking the plunge by the time the semester is over. Lessons are given weekly for anyone who is interested.
Lake Superior Day also had Tech’s research vessel doing tours. The Agassiz embarked from the Queen Isle Royale dock every 45 minutes. Freighter paintings, street chalk art, and a picnic were also part of the festivities. A fish stew featuring whitefish and tuna was the highlight of the menu.
