Girls Night Out Returning to Downtown Iron Mountain!
Hey Ladies! With the hunters heading into the woods, don’t stay home! Come join us for Girls Night Out in Downtown Iron Mountain this November, sponsored by the First Bank. It’s an action-packed evening of shopping, dining, and hanging out at all of your favorite Downtown places. This is a great way for ladies – and all of you non-hunters – to boost the local economy in our vibrant Downtown, unite with friends, and celebrate! It all happens on Thursday, November 13, from 5:00 pm to 9:30 pm.
Many downtown businesses will offer a wide range of activities, from specials, discounts, giveaways, drawings, door prizes, and more. This is Downtown Iron Mountain’s biggest shopping day of the year, and there’s something for everyone. You won’t want to miss out on this, even if it means skipping the deer camp party!
The fun doesn’t stop when the shopping does! Sol Blu Lounge & Tap Room is hosting the official Girls Night Out After Party from 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM, featuring live entertainment proudly sponsored by Lume Cannabis Co.. Enjoy a special performance by Melanie Rose, known for her acoustic style blending country and classic rock favorites. Melanie has been a standout at both Out to Lunch and previous DDA events — you won’t want to miss her! Sol Blu will provide all food and drinks during the After Party, and the lounge will remain open until bar close, so you can keep the celebration going well into the night.
New This Year: Blanket Drive
We’re excited to introduce a new way to support our community during Girls Night Out — a Blanket Drive benefiting the Dickinson Area Child Advocacy Center (CAC). To donate, bring NEW BLANKETS to Sol Blu during Girls Night Out. All donations stay local and support the CAC’s mission to provide a safe, neutral, and child-friendly environment for children and their families during child abuse and neglect investigations.
For all the information, please visit downtownironmountain.com/girls-night-out and follow us on Facebook.
Thank you to all Girls Night Out
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The Iron Mountain Downtown Development Authority (DDA) was established in 1978 with the purpose of improving and maintaining infrastructure, buildings, and public spaces within the Downtown District. Current DDA functions also include downtown beautification through gardens and public art, organizing and conducting community events, attracting and promoting businesses, and planning for continuing improvements to the Iron Mountain downtown area.
Volunteer Opportunities with Downtown Events!
Volunteer Sign-Ups are OPEN for Downtown Iron Mountain's 2025 Festivals!
Volunteering is a fun and rewarding way to get involved in the community. The DDA 2025 festival season is packed with amazing events, and YOUR help is a key element to making all Downtown Iron Mountain events a success!
This is a great opportunity for:
- Students – Earn volunteer hours & gain experience!
- Individuals – Give back and be part of the excitement!
- Businesses – Support your community & foster team building!
- Brew Fest – June 14 (21+ Volunteers ONLY)
- Italian Fest – August 9
- Oktoberfest – September 27
DDA Is Seeking Board and Committee Members
The Iron Mountain Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is currently looking for people to serve on the DDA Board of Directors and several DDA Committees. This is a unique opportunity to be involved in setting the direction of a variety of high-visibility and impactful activities including events, beautification, and business development. All of those activities are also guided by committees of the same name, consisting of Board members, business owners, residents, and other interested stakeholders.
Serving on the DDA Board and Committees is a volunteer activity that demonstrates a firm commitment to the economic potential and vibrancy of the Iron Mountain area, which is anchored by the downtown. This is an opportunity for creative and forward thinking people to guide and influence the activities leading to successful downtown events and festivals, improving public spaces, buildings, and infrastructure, and promoting businesses. All of those activities foster an attractive, vibrant, and economically growing heart of our community. To find out more about the DDA Board and committees, and to apply, go to the Board Info page.
Out To Lunch 2025 Season Was Fun For All!
The 2025 season of the Out to Lunch summer concert series concluded on August 14 with an appearance by The DayDreamers, some perfect weather, and about 280 of our friends and neighbors at the Downtown Stage. It was a perfect finale to a stretch of 10 Thursdays that begun on June 12 with perennial favorite Flagship Romance all the way from Louisville, Kentucky. Some more Out to Lunch regulars also came back to perform this season, including Carolyn Jo & the Groove Show, Datura, 141 North, Kind of Blues Band, Mark Young & The Happy Enchiladas, and of course The DayDreamers. In addition, we had a few new acts join us this year, including The Make-Believe Spurs, The Pink Violin Band, and Black Pearl – all from the Ishpeming/Negaunee/Marquette area. They were all a hit with the audiences, which generally ranged from about 150 to 300 people every Thursday.
All of this was made possible through the generosity of businesses that sponsor Out to Lunch and the performances. First and foremost, the DDA would like to thank Upper Peninsula Audiology, with locations in Iron Mountain and Houghton, as the overall “Season Sponsor” the entire concert series. Their audiologists offer diagnostic hearing evaluations and the latest digital technology in a variety of hearing aid styles. All of the 10 concerts were also sponsored by local businesses, including Linnea & Kristine, Jim’s Music, Erickson Jewelers, Grede, Iron Mountain Area Tourism, Mouw & Celello, Blomquist Architects, First National Bank & Trust, 41 Lumber, and First Bank.
We also want to thank everyone who bought raffle tickets, along with Katie and Alyssa from Upper Peninsula Audiology for their help in selling tickets to the crowd. Each concert includes a 50/50 raffle with a nice cash prize, depending on how many tickets are sold. The raffle proceeds are combined with sponsorships to support the event. All proceeds go towards musicians, sound equipment, and a sound technician.
Last but not least were the food vendors who joined us for Out To Lunch this season. We tried a new format with different vendors every week, and all of them were also well-received by the crowds. Everyone loved Sugar Jets, Millie’s Market, Mama’s Mangia Mobile, Crispigna’s Italian Market, Curious Pig, Carlos Cantina, Beck’s Cheesecakes, Harmony Hearth Bakery, and the Northwoods Garden Club Strawberry Social. We want to see them all back in 2026!
Preparation of Downtown Development and
Tax Increment Financing Plans Is Underway
The DDA has begun work on a downtown plan and tax increment financing plan (Downtown/TIF plan) for the Iron Mountain downtown district. The purpose of that effort is to develop goals, strategies, and projects to guide new development, redevelopment, housing, business growth, and public facilities within the downtown district over the next 25 years. Last fall, the staff and the DDA Business Development Committee came up with some preliminary goals, and we’re currently compiling data and information to guide the next steps of the process. We’ve created a Downtown/TIF plan page on this website with detailed information on downtown development authorities, downtown plans, and tax increment financing. That web page will be updated as the plan work progresses, and will serve as an information portal to keep everyone informed.
In tandem with the current work on the plan, the DDA is seeking 9 residents of the downtown district who are interested in helping to guide the planning effort. That group, referred to in Michigan law that guides the Downtown/TIF plan as the “Development Area Citizens Council” (DACC) would get together 3 or 4 times over the next 9-12 months. Letters were mailed in late March to all 205 residences within the downtown district, including single-family homes and apartment units, asking for their participation on the DACC. Please go to the DACC page on this website for more information, and please do let us know if you are interested.
Some of you may be familiar with the City of Iron Mountain Master Plan that was adopted a few years ago in 2021 by the City Council. That plan is essentially the City’s policy document to guide decisions related to land use, housing, economic development, public facilities, and environmental protection over the long term. The Master Plan also includes policies and recommendations pertaining specifically to the downtown area. The Downtown/TIF plan under preparation will take those recommendations into consideration, and when completed and adopted will serve as a refinement and update to the Master Plan.
Over the next few months and into summer/fall 2025, there will opportunities for everyone to get involved, as stakeholder participation in the planning process is crucial to the success of the Downtown/TIF plan. That means residents, property owners, business people, and other interested parties from anywhere in the area – not just downtown district residents – will be offered an opportunity to provide input and suggestions for the future of downtown. Stay tuned to our Facebook and Instagram pages, and also this website for more information in the coming months.
Please contact Tim McCauley, DDA Program Coordinator, if you have questions or concerns, or if you are interested in being involved. Call 906-774-8534 or email programs@downtownironmountain.com
Our Vision, Mission & Purpose
We strive to create a flourishing, historic downtown destination in Iron Mountain, Michigan.
We promote economic growth by organizing community events, attracting new businesses and advancing the beautification and historic preservation within the Downtown District.
We exist to advocate and strengthen Iron Mountain’s entire Downtown District.
The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Board of Directors and staff coordinate Downtown Iron Mountain programs and events, advance the organization’s vision, mission, and purpose, and promote downtown businesses through website, social media, print publications, and other channels. The DDA conducts roughly 20 events and festivals every year, coordinates planting of flower gardens and hanging baskets throughout the downtown area, and engages in other beautification activities such as placement of street banners. The DDA also continues its long-standing local grant program to assist in the renovation of downtown buildings and elimination of blight. All of these DDA functions bring about a more vibrant, fun, and diverse center of the community.
The DDA relies upon, and is grateful for, the participation of over 130 volunteers who serve on committees, assist in conducting events, and plant & water flowers / gardens. Downtown Iron Mountain festivals and events are attended by thousands of people every year, and are sponsored by many different organizations downtown and throughout the community. Sponsors can partner with the DDA to contribute to the economic vitality of Iron Mountain while enjoying unique opportunities for marketing exposure. Please browse the pages of this website to become familiar with DDA activities and events, and contact us if you have any questions or would like to get involved by volunteering, sponsoring, or serving on the Board or committees.
