A Tribute to the Edmund Fitzgerald

The SS Edmund Fitzgerald, also known as the “Mighty Fitz”, was an American Great Lakes freighter that sank in a Lake Superior storm on November 10, 1975, with the loss of the entire crew of 29.

The evening begins with a multi-sensory and multi-media tribute hosted by artist and Edmund Fitzgerald enthusiast, Thomas Paul Asklar. The brief presentation by Asklar explains the ship’s history, the timeline of the tragedy, and theories of its destruction. A tolling of the bell will honor each soul of the 29 crew members. Artifacts will be displayed, and Jim Rankine will provide bagpipe tribute.

Songs with a nautical theme, as well as music from the Fitz era will be performed by Bruce Wojick, Jamie Holka, Dave Thurman and special guest Jeremy Hoyle, lead singer of Strictly Hip. The centerpiece will be Gordon Lightfoot’s most famous musical tribute, the “Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald”.

This year’s special tribute will be BBC’s very own beer Gitchegumee.