Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette Hannah Rundman and Bruce Rundman play during Saturday’s From the Ground Festival in Houghton.
HOUGHTON — Hundreds of people came to Houghton’s new downtown pier Saturday for Houghton’s inaugural From the Ground Festival.
The event had more than 40 vendors, plus food, live music, boat tours and more.
About an hour after it started, around 600 people were enjoying the festivities, said Amy Zawada, Houghton’s downtown development coordinator.
Almost four hours into the festival, the crowds had held steady, said Rachael Pressley of the From the Ground Farmer’s Market Collective.
“A lot of our vendors are already out, or they’re asking if the market’s going to be like this, or where they can learn more and if we’re going to do this again next year,” she said. “It feels good. I think people are ready for the summer.”
With the summer comes farmer’s markets, which will be held every Tuesday on the pier from 3 to 6 p.m. starting June 13.
Zerbst Family Farms brought plant starts — tomatoes, peppers, and a few brussels sprouts and pumpkin. It also had other farm-raised products such as pig lard for cooking and hydroponically grown wheatgrass.
Joe Zerbst said Saturday’s festival had been great for the farm.
“It seems like a very well-organized event so far, and we hope the rest of the afternoon continues with people coming through and buying stuff,” he said.
Sarah Stackhouse, an Upper Peninsula native now living in Wisconsin, found about the festival Friday night. She was able to get a booth for her company Lavender and Berries, which makes children’s puzzles.
Stackhouse was also able to get out and explore the festival.
“I think it’s great for kids and a really nice thing for the community to be able to come downtown and explore the new area,” she said.
People could also go on boat tours, pet baby goats and lambs, or meet members of Keweenaw Roller Derby.
Jill DeVoge, who skates under the name Afro Disiac, said the players had been handing out flyers advertising their next bout on June 17 at the Calumet Colosseum, along with their new skater training program at the same place on June 4.
“It’s really nice to see everyone come out and support local businesses, farms,” she said. “It’s really awesome, and the music is great, too.”
The festival also served as the first public event of the season for the pier at Mattila Square, which opened last fall.
“It’s beautiful,” said Irene Pyykkonen of Chassell, who was sitting at a picnic table with friends after browsing the booths. “It’s a good investment. Everyone can use it and have fun.”
As for whether the new festival will become an annual event, Pressley’s answer throughout the day had been “Ask me at 6.” But early signs were promising.
“It feels really good,” she said. “The whole city seems really excited about it.”