Iron Mountain Brew Fest is June 14!
Brew Fest is a fun tasting event featuring beer, wine, and spirits with food and live music. Come to historic Downtown Iron Mountain MI on Saturday, June 14, 2025 from noon to 5:00pm for an enjoyable Saturday afternoon to taste an assortment of beer, wines, and spirits from some of our local favorites in the Upper Peninsula, south of the Mackinac Bridge (the mitten), and Wisconsin.
Purchase of a ticket includes a Brew Fest taster glass along with tokens to taste beverages from a selection of 10 to 12 Michigan and Wisconsin breweries and distilleries. Many of our favorites from last year will be back again too. The still-growing selection includes 51st State Brewing (Kingsford MI), Tripleroot Brewery (Zeeland MI), Shorts Brewing Company (Bellaire MI), Starcut Ciders (Bellaire MI), LoDuca Wine & Spirits (New Berlin WI), Iron Fish Distillery (Thompsonville MI), and Bell’s Brewery (Kalamazoo MI). Downtown Iron Mountain “boba bar” Bes.Teas is also joining Brew Fest in 2025 with some non-alcoholic treats.
The food this year is from competition barbecue champion Meat Sweats BBQ (Iron Mountain MI), and there are also plenty of eating and drinking establishments nearby in Downtown Iron Mountain. To see a list, go to the Business Directory at downtownironmountain.com. Local favorite Norton Chartier & Company will provide the entertainment for Brew Fest.
For all of you Wisconsin folks who like to spend some time in the north woods, Iron Mountain MI is right on the border and across the Menominee River. It’s just a short 1 or 2 hour road trip from Green Bay, Appleton, Oshkosh, Rhinelander, Marinette, Stevens Point, and Wausau. If you’re down in Manitowoc, Sheboygan, Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, Kenosha, Madison, or even Chicago IL, it’s a 3 to 5 hour drive, which is still very reasonable for a weekend. If you need a place to stay, just go to ironmountain.org/stay and you’ll see an abundance of lodging in the Iron Mountain area.
So don’t wait! If you’re looking for something different and unique to do on a weekend in early summer up north, get your tickets now because attendance is limited to 500 people to keep this event intimate, casual, and relaxing. There will be plenty of ale, lager, cider, wine, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverages on hand. If you’re looking for more to do on a weekend or vacation in the Iron Mountain area, you can find more information at www.ironmountain.org. Finally, many thanks to our sponsors, especially Signature Sponsor Bacco Construction. We’ll see you at Brew Fest on Saturday, June 14, 2025!
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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.
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
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
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.
