Ironworkers Gather for Friendly Competition

The 2015 Ironworkers Festival held its 13th annual event at the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino and Resort on Saturday, July 25. It attracted Ironworkers, ages 18 -84 years old, from the United States and Canada, who came together to share memories and celebrate the proud trade of Ironworking with friendly competition. The festival continues to grow each year. This year the Festival brought in 125 competitors and 35 vendors to rank this year as the largest field to date. The crowned Ultimate Ironworker and Retired Ultimate Ironworker not only get bragging rights but also a $1000.00 cash prize. The event was open to the general public, although only Ironworkers and retirees could compete in the skilled events.

Competition events included knot tying, rod tying, bolt toss, spud wrench throw, beam walk, team bolt (rivet) toss and the highlight of the competition, the column climb. First place winners in each category win $300.00, second place wins $200.00 and third place $100.00. The grand title winners of Retired Ultimate Ironworker and Active Ultimate Ironworker win $1,000 each.

Open activities included a women's packing competition, since many women pack for their husbands to send them off for the week, a kid's watermelon eating contest and a contest to find the best tasting chicken wings in the area. There were many local vendors selling food, drinks, crafts and memorabilia. Live entertainment was provided by Goldwing Express, a Native American band from Okmulgee, Oklahoma.

This event brought Ironworkers from Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Syracuse, Rochester, New York City, Albany, New Jersey, Indiana, West Virginia, Michigan, Florida and Los Angeles. "It's a brotherhood and a chance to see each other again", said retiree, Bernie Nobel. He is 84 years young and still loves to compete. Up until last year he competed in the column climb, which is a timed climb up a 35 foot steel column. Mr. Nobel has been diagnosed with cancer of his left lung and can no longer climb. This did not dampen his spirit. "I love this competition and being around other Ironworkers, it's so much fun. It makes the younger fellas try a lot harder to beat the old man." chuckled Mr. Nobel.

Howard Montour from Local 25, Detroit, said that he has been coming to the Festival for the last three years. "I enjoy coming here and I don't want to miss it. I missed a wedding last year to come." Dennis Milton from Local 580, NYC, has competed in the Ironworkers Festival since it was brought to Akwesasne thirteen years ago. "It's always nice to come here. I like the architecture of the Casino, the rooms and staff. I like the music, seeing old friends and meeting new people. The whole atmosphere of the Festival is just outstanding".

Mr. Benjamin Herne, Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Promotions/Special Events Entertainment Coordinator, opened the festivities by welcoming everyone and going through the events of the day. He also introduced the organizers, Mike Swamp, retired Local 440, and Bill Sears, Local 440. Mr. Herne also has many Ironworkers in his family.

The Ironworkers Festival did not start in Akwesasne but it has been here for 12 of the thirteen years. "It was originally hosted by the Oneida Nation but it was not a popular event in that area, since the Ironworker tradition started here in Akwesasne and in Kahnawake." stated Mike Swamp, who retired five years ago after 38 years of being active. "It only makes sense that this event should be here. We are trying to keep up tradition and what Ironworking is all about. We have made a game out of what we do on the job. We even do some events that are obsolete like the rivets. They were used back in the 50s and 60s and are now obsolete. The old timers remember and it was brought back as part of the competition". Bolt (rivet) toss competitors are given a minute to throw as many ¾ inch bolts into the bolt bag 15 feet in the air.

Bill Sears has been a proud Mohawk Ironworker for 48 years. "I'll be doing this until they put me in the ground." said Mr. Sears with a smile. He told of some of the differences from when he started to now. "Everything is pro safety these days, which is good. We use to cut our safety in order to add another bolt bag. No one ever tied off and we would ride the main load ball down. We did things that would kill you. Safety is much better these days to save lives, backs and legs. For a while, back in the 80s, interest in ironworking went down and we lost a generation of ironworkers. Slowly the interest is coming back. Jr. Ransom and Mike Swamp do a good job getting young guys into the apprenticeship. There's definitely a need for Ironworkers".

The list of winners is as follows:

Beam Walk

1st-Thomas Bannister

2nd-Henry Berk

3rd-Devis Caceres

Rod Tying

1st- Al Stanley

2nd-Tim Rourke

3rd –Dave Rourke

Bolt Toss

1st- Matt Hlywiak

2nd-Gerome Cerverizzo

3rd-Clayton Phillips

Spud Wrench Throw

1st-Jeffery Laxton

2nd-Henry Berk

3rd- Al Stanley

Knot Tying

1st- Dennis Milton

2nd-Devis Caceres

3rd- Matt Hlywiak

Column Climb

1st- Robert Sweeney 5.88 seconds

2nd- Matt Hlywiak 6.38 seconds

3rd- Brian Knecht 6.57 seconds

Ultimate Retiree

Al Stanley

Ultimate Ironworker

Matt Hlywiak

Women's Packing

Charlene 'Girly' Thompson

Watermelon Eating

William Strable

Best Chicken Wings

Atomic Place

Mr. Sears wrapped up the day by saying "This was a great day to see old friends and make new ones. Drive safe and hope to see you next year".