BREITUNG TWP- This might be the most delicious $10 you have ever spent. If you are a present or former resident of the Vermilion Iron Range, the annual Old Settlers Reunion and Picnic features the most amazing booyah you will ever taste. Simmered overnight in large cast iron kettles placed over wood fires, the meat and vegetable stew somehow manages to channel over 100 years of history of this traditional event. The kettles most likely date back to the earliest years of this picnic, which was originally sponsored by the Oliver Mining Company for their employees but soon turned into a day-long community event.
The picnic is always held the third Saturday in July at McKinley Park Campground in Breitiung Township. The 2022 event is coming up on July 16. Booyah gets dished out at 12 noon sharp and is available until it runs out. If you haven’t attended before, you need to bring your own pot, along with bowls and silverware, and any other picnic fixings you fancy. There is plenty of seating available, mostly under the covered pavilions on the campground lawns.
Memberships are $10 and are available the day of the picnic, but please arrive a little early to ensure your place in line at noon.
Membership in Old Settlers is open to anyone born or living on the Vermilion Iron Range. The money raised through memberships pays the expenses of putting on the annual picnic. Take-outs are also available if you are unable to stay for the picnic, live music, and raffles.
This year’s president is Steve Tekautz. Music will once again be provided by area favorite Steve Solkela and his one-man band.