I am Ironman

Aug. 2, 2009

I Am Ironman...
Festival celebrates ironworkers in Mackinaw City

By Kristi Kates 8/3/09

The Mackinac Bridge, or “Mighty Mac,” has long been a source of fascination for fans of engineering, travel, and the history of the state of Michigan. Opened on November 1, 1957, the five-mile-long span ended decades of the two peninsulas of Michigan being linked only by ferries and other boats.
It was a team of ironworkers who were responsible for building this modern marvel. Their epic achievement is celebrated each year with the International Ironworkers Festival in Mackinaw City.

FESTIVAL FOUNDERS
Ironworkers from across the U.S. and Canada meet up at the event for camaraderie, conversation and games, and the public is invited to watch as the ironworkers and retirees compete in the skilled events.
“This year, our festival represents 28 consecutive years,” says 40-year career ironworker and festival president Michael P. Coleman.
New technologies have phased out the need for some of the old skills required to be a “bridgeman” in the mid 1950s, Coleman says. “Our goal is to keep those skill sets alive through a little friendly competition. Today’s ironworker may never get the chance to earn bragging rights working on a one million-ton bridge over the Straits of Mackinac, or one like it, but a trophy at the festival lets ironworkers from coast to coast know who is the fastest or the most skilled.”

IRONWORKER SKILLS
The Skilled Events portion of the festival showcases the skills required to build a bridge - except for the Spud Throw, the ironworker’s more dangerous version of a lawn darts game.
“Throwing spud wrenches - long, pointed-end wrenches - 25 feet while trying to stick the pointed end into a plank of wood, in my experience, is a skill that can only be developed when the floor boss can’t decide the gang’s next task, so a pick-up game of wrench-throwing target practice ensues,” Coleman chuckles.
Other skilled events include the Column climb, in which a man dubbed the “connector” must climb up a column and hang on while he attaches a horizontal beam, which is usually swung into place by a crane.
In rod tying, pliers are used to tie specific knots of wire around steel rods, which are joined together by those wires and then used within forms for concrete reinforcement.
“In the rod industry, time is money, and those who tie fast stay employed,” Coleman explains.
Similarly, knot tying speaks for itself; but the rivet toss is a story all its own.
“Prior to the invention of the high tensile bolt, structural beams were secured into place using hot steel rivets,” Coleman says. “This was the case on the Mighty Mac. A designated worker - the heater - would set up a forge and start to heat his rivets, while another group of men suspended a platform, or ‘float,’ in the area to be secured.”
“When all was ready, the heater, using long tongs, would throw the red hot rivets to the catcher, who in turn would stick each rivet in the hole and hold it so the riveter could use his riveting gun - nicknamed “The Helldog” - thus securing the iron,” he continues. “At the festival, we use cold rivets and it’s a timed event; the most rivets caught and deposited in the can wins. Although we use cold for the competition, we do also have hot riveting demonstrations going on over the course of the festival.”

FRATERNAL SPIRIT
Ironworkers are no longer permitted to simply hang off of the iron as they were in the old days; instead, they utilize a series of sophisticated work platforms. In keeping with this theme, visitors to the festival may be treated to a ride up over the treetops for a bird’s-eye view of the bridge and the surrounding area in a 138’ lift donated by Douglas Steel in Lansing for the event.
In addition, the National Guard will also bring a rock wall for public climbing, and the festival will include food and beverage vendors with entertainment consisting of the Ramblin’ Band from Manistee.
“Everything here is open to the public except the skilled events and the column climb,” Coleman says. “All are welcome and at no charge.
“Ironworkers travel from far and wide to join us,” he adds. “I am a believer in the promotion of the fraternal spirit and brotherhood; that spirit is very strong here in this fraternity of Bridgemen at the festival. I personally take great delight in watching an 86-year-old ironworker climb a column in the old timers’ events, and then sitting down with him for talk of the bridge, how he got there, and how things have evolved since 1957. Being part of this celebration of the bridge and the men fills us with pride, and lures us back year after year.”

The 2009 International Ironworkers Festival will be held on August 7, 8, and 9 in Mackinaw City; stop by http://www.mackinawinformation.com/mackinawcityevents.php online for more info.