Celebrate the Unveiling of the Big Annie Statue
The community is invited to a historic celebration on August 22nd, when the Big Annie statue will be officially unveiled and dedicated in downtown Calumet. The free, family-friendly event will take place from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. and will celebrate the life and legacy of Anna Klobuchar Clemec, affectionately known as “Big Annie.”
The celebration will begin at 3:00 p.m. with a parade down 5th Street, followed by the dedication ceremony at Calumet Greenspace Park. Community members can also enjoy live music, free ice cream, and face painting. The celebration will mark the unveiling and dedication of a new statue commemorating Big Annie’s life and legacy.
The statue honors Anna Klobuchar Clemenc (1888–1956), affectionately known as “Big Annie,” a labor activist and leader during the 1913 Copper Strike. Her courage, determination, and advocacy for workers’ rights made her one of the most notable figures of an important chapter in both Keweenaw and American labor history.
The Big Annie Statue Fund reached its fundraising goal earlier this year thanks to the generosity of hundreds of donors, businesses, organizations, and supporters from across the country. The unveiling celebrates not only the completion of the statue, but also the community-wide effort that made it possible.
Team Big Annie and the Keweenaw Community Foundation extend their sincere gratitude to everyone who helped make this vision a reality. Special thanks are also extended to the Village of Calumet for its partnership in providing a permanent home for the statue. The Village’s support has helped ensure that Big Annie’s legacy will be honored and accessible at the heart of the community she helped shape.
The dedication is also a part of Michigan’s commemoration of America’s 250th Anniversary. The Big Annie Statue Project was honored to receive an AMERICA250MI History Grant, helping support the creation of this important public monument honoring individuals who shaped our nation’s story.
Community members of all ages are encouraged to attend this historic celebration and help commemorate Big Annie’s life, leadership, and legacy.
For more information about the Big Annie Statue Fund and project, visit the Keweenaw Community Foundation website: https://www.