SOME OF IRON MOUNTAIN’S Gus Macker Event Team — from left, in back are Henry Mann, Donna Rahoi, Macker Man Jonathan Ringel, Barb Reisner and Dave Beauchamp; in front are Jeff Gurchinoff, Kim Webb, Helen Paquette and Alissa Hedlund. The tournament will take place June 5-7. The registration website link is: macker.com/local/iron-mountain-mi. (Barb Reisner photo)

IRON MOUNTAIN — Word is out, snow is melting, the link is primed and neighbors are practicing.

Gus Macker is coming back.

Some 20 years ago, Iron Mountain was known for having one of the largest Gus Macker basketball tournaments in the nation. Tournament courts lined Stephenson Avenue and neighboring streets, stretched into parking lots and tennis courts, and filled nearly all the city’s flat-surface real estate.

The field may be a bit smaller when Gus Macker returns in June, but an ambitious group of community leaders anticipates a full weekend of athletic performance, special contests, great food, family and friendship togetherness and, of course, trophy presentations.

The popular three-on-three competition will take place June 5, 6 and 7. Teams of four players can register online soon for $140.

The registration website link for signing up teams is up and running at macker.com/local/iron-mountain-mi.

The Gus Macker event team invites players, spectators and volunteers to stay connected in the next few months through The Daily News, by going to the macker.com and ourplacecc.org websites or to the GusMackerIM Facebook Page.

The “Bring Gus Macker Back Event Team” was formed in late summer to revive the event as a fundraiser for the new Imagination Factory Children’s Museum, in the upper Central School site at 217 W. Hughitt St.

Starting in November, a decision was made to move forward on hosting Gus Macker in Iron Mountain; in December the Gus Macker contract was signed; in January the court sites were submitted to the city council; and in February sponsors began making pledges to help fund this year’s tournament.

Gus Macker originated in 1974 in Lowell in downstate Michigan and remained a single local tournament for 13 years before expanding to other communities. It since has sanctioned almost 1,500 Gus Macker Tournaments with about 700,000 teams, or almost 2.7 million players. Courts are set up in parking lots, playgrounds, streets, parks and other outdoor settings.

“Whether you are just a beginner, a seasoned pro, a weekend warrior or an ageless amateur at the game of basketball, the ‘Macker’ is for you, “ organizer Barb Reisner said.

In all, 41 Gus Macker U.S. Tournaments are set for this summer, with Ishpeming, Sheboygan and Stevens Point, Wis., being the closest to Iron Mountain.

Preliminary plans call for this year’s tournament to be centered near Iron Mountain City Hall and areas near Iron Mountain High School.

Amber Pipp of the Downtown Development Authority said she was delighted to learn of the tournament’s return.

“It will have such a positive impact on downtown Iron Mountain and on this community as a whole,” she said. “It’s also extremely encouraging to see the various organizations and individuals working together, and we look forward to supporting this great event.”