8th Annual Ironworkers Festival draws crowds for a day of competition

Nearly a hundred ironworkers competed at the 8th Annual Ironworkers Festival held Saturday at the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino and even more attended as spectators. The ironworkers compete against fellow men of steel in a number of events related to the skills they’re required to perform regularly on the job. The event attracts hundreds of spectators and ironworkers of the past, present and future as participants compete in one of three classifications: Apprentice, Ironworker or Retiree.

“It went really well and we had the weather on our side this year,” said Mike Swamp, former business manager of Ironworkers Union Local 440 who helped coordinate the festival this year with the casino.

Swamp has been a part of organizing all eight ironworkers festivals. In its first two years the competition was held at Turning Stone Casino in Verona, New York before the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino took over and has sponsored the festival for the past six years.

This year’s festival was a day for competing and socializing and guests enjoyed the number of activities going on around the casino property. During the opening ceremonies, a moment of silence was held for all deceased ironworkers, including the Mohawk ironworkers who passed away in the past year, Brad Bonaparte, Richard Adams (missing), Mark Smoke, John Jackson and John Jacobs.

“It’s a noble profession and I know it’s difficult,” said St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Chief Randy Hart during the opening.

Bonaparte, who passed away last month, was recognized during the ceremony for his work not only as an ironworker but also as an artist responsible for designing many pieces around the casino’s property, including an eagle statue positioned on a steel beam. The piece is located at the front of the casino and commemorates the life and work of ironworkers.

“It’s only fitting that his artwork continue to be on display,” said the AMC Assistant General Manager Darlene Dilcox. “He has touched many lives and he is certainly missed.”

Following the opening ceremonies the competition and festivities got underway. In the Rod Tying event competitors were given one minute to make as many 2-twist saddle ties as possible with pliers. In the Bolt Toss, they had one minute to toss as many bolts as possible into a bolt bag at the top of a scaffolding platform. The Knot Tying event required ironworkers to correctly tie three knots (bowline, clove hitch with half hitch, and scaffold hitch with equalizing) in a maximum of five minutes. In the Rivet Toss, teams of two competed with one person below and one atop the scaffolding. The person on the ground had to toss rivets using tongs up to the person above, who needed to catch each one with a catch can and drop it into the bolt bag. The teams were scored by how many rivets ended up in the bag after one minute. In the Spud Throw event, the ironworkers had to throw a total of three spud wrenches at a target 25 feet away and 12-inches in diameter. Points were accumulated by each spud wrench that hit and stuck to the target.

In the afternoon, three events were held which spectators could participate in: The 4th Annual Chicken Wing Cook-Off was a competition to see which restaurant in Akwesasne has the best chicken wings. The casino, Bear’s Den and Brass Horse Pizzeria have been winners in the past, and this year Brass Horse Pizzeria won for the second year in a row. Guests at the festival sampled the various wings and voted for their favorite.

A Hot Dog Eating Contest was a fan favorite with many spectators crowding around to witness the hilarious event. The winner was teen Nolan Swamp who ate nine hot dogs in 4 minutes.

Women or wives of ironworkers compete annually in the Women’s Packing Contest at the festival. The women are required to pack a suitcase as fast as possible, in a fun event meant to recognize the women who take care of the home during the week while the men work away on iron. Sherrill Lazore was the first place winner.

The final event of the day was also the most anticipated: the Column Climb. The event features a 35-foot standard column beam and each competitor is harnessed and sent up the column with no tools other than their boots and gloves, when desired. They’re scored by the amount of time it takes them to ring the bell at the top. Just 17 men took the challenge, and not all of them were able to make it to the top. This year’s fastest time was 7.22 seconds, posted by Marc Hlywiak.

Many fans of the ironworkers festival have gotten to know a crew from Philadelphia’s Local 401. The union also has some Akwesasne ironworkers as members. Local 401 has dominated the competition every year with Chris Prophet winning the overall award of “Ultimate Ironworker” for six years in a row.

However, Swamp said that could all change by next year.

“We found out this year that they (Local 401) train for this event a couple months before,” he said smiling. “What we’re going to do is pick four or five guys (from Local 440) to train four months prior. That’s the key and I think we can win it, and we’ll get first place next year.”

Swamp’s challenge will likely make next year’s competition even more interesting.

Competition Results:

Hot Dog Eating Contest: Nolan Swamp

Womens Suitcase Packing Contest: Sherrill Lazore

Apprentice Competition: Elijah Cole

Retiree Competition: Al Staley

Ultimate Ironworker (Best Overall): Chris Prophet

Spud Throw:

1st - Chris Prophet

2nd – Jason Hill

3rd – Eric Costa

Knot Tying:

1st – Chris Prophet

2nd – Dennis Milton

3rd – Eric Costa

Rod Tying:

1st – Ed Lazore

2nd – Dan Rourke

3rd – Dave Rourke

4th – Norman Bigtree

Bolt Throw:

1st – Tim Rourke

2nd – Dave Rourke

3rd – Clayton Phillips

Rivet Toss:

1st – Eric Costa and Craig Macintyre

2nd – Chris Prophet and Rob Sweeney

Column Climb:

1st – Marc Hlywiak (7.22 seconds)

2nd – Eric Costa (7.32)

3rd – Rob Sweeney (7.35)

4th – Chris Prophet (7.53)

5th – Henry Burk (8.84)

6th – Craig Macintyre (9.67)

7th – Shane Francis (11.42)

8th – Paul Jacobs (14.08)

9th – Casey Allen (18.15)

10th – Kevin Binley (20.73)

11th – Charlie Herne (22.03)

12th – Danny Lazore (25.60)

13th – Derek Terrance (31.05)

14th – Mark Terrance (33.50)

15th – Brandon Rourke (1 min. 3 secs.)

Also competing: Eugene Tarbell and Steve Cook

All photos by Shannon Burns