Money is raised during the four-week event from both decorators and public voters, with all funds going to the DCCA. Voting is currently available at the Rapid River Pub.

Beginning in August, businesses, organizations and various entities and individuals with creative streaks picked up plain, new white brassieres to decorate. Each entry cost $75.

The funds collected go towards DCCA’s continuing mission to provide financial, personal and emotional support to community members in Delta County diagnosed with cancer. 

Twenty-four completed works of art were returned by the Sept. 26 deadline. Each entrant turned the garment’s fabric into their own canvas and decorated it with various materials — beads, other fabrics, fur, feathers and more. The entry from Jim’s Music is covered in guitar picks; Highland Golf Club turned their craft into a miniature model of a putting green; Great Lakes First Federal Credit Union covered the surface of theirs in lollipops and wrote “cancer sucks” below.

Pink Fest submissions by Elmer's County Market and Highland Golf Club are displayed in the Rapid River Pub. (Photo courtesy of Delta County Cancer Alliance)

Other designs were created by Joni Smith, Simmi Mosier, West Highland, Hereford and Hops, Rapid River Pub, Serenity Salon, Elmer’s County Market, UPHS Home Care, Chenier’s Reef, E&E Furniture, Golden Thread Quilting Group, Lakestate Industries, Messersmith Manufacturing, Upper Peninsula Honor Flight, Amy Hellman, Determined Dames, Jen’s Gems, Kindness Rocks Delta County and Portage Pointers.

The first round of voting took place Thursday at Chenier’s Reef. As the fully decorated bras hung from the ceiling, visitors to the establishment were able to vote on their favorite designs. Votes cost $2 for one or $5 for three votes, and since the aim is to raise money for the Cancer Alliance, ballot-stuffing was encouraged.

The public will get further chances to submit votes at three more destinations. The traveling exhibit is now hanging for a second display at the Rapid River Pub, where patrons can vote now and during a special event from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday. That evening, a 50/50 raffle will take place, and the DDCA will sell tickets for a surprise raffle prize.

A similar event will take place Thursday, Oct. 16, at the next stop, Cat-Man-Do’s in Escanaba.

“We invite all communities to stop in to place your votes and enjoy the camaraderie with cancer survivors, family and friends who have lost a loved one to cancer and supporters of the Delta County Cancer Alliance,” DCCA President Gayle DeShambo said.

The second-annual Pink Fest culminates with a final event at the Highland Golf Club on Thursday, Oct. 23. There, not only will people get one last chance to vote, but decorated bras will be auctioned off by Dan Sampson. The auction is a new element this year and will hopefully raise even more money for the DCCA, who collected about $8,000 during Pink Fest 2024.

Another raffle, drink specials and other amenities will be available that night at the Highland. The designer of the bra that ultimately wins will get not only bragging rights but also a prize that is yet to be determined.

Last year, the winning entry was decorated by cancer survivor Laurie Van Damme.

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R. R. Branstrom can be reached at 906-786-2021, ext. 140, or rbranstrom@dailypress.net.