The controversial float from Traprock Valley’s Fourth of July parade. ICE agents and illegal immigrants are allegedly depicted. The original post has now been deleted from Facebook. (Facebook photo, via Daily Mining Gazette)

TRAPROCK VALLEY – The Traprock Valley Fourth of July Parade is a fairly new tradition, and this year’s parade sparked some controversy online.

The issue is regarding a parade float some called racist and xenophobic.

Local community activist groups are demanding District 2 Houghton County Commissioner Joel Keranen resign from the Houghton County Board and asking concerned residents to show up at Tuesday’s Board of Commissioners meeting and speak out during the public comment period. Keranen was attributed as the parade’s marshal and promoted the event on his personal social media pages.

A pamphlet distributed by the organization Keweenaw Indivisible reads “Joel Keranen led an event to glorify ICE and white supremacy.” The flyer further states Keranen is “infamous for his December 2025 attempt to erase queer community members from County policies by resolution.” The statement was in reference to Keranen’s two-sexes resolution, which the board defeated with his being the only “yes” vote.

Lexi Tater said she is disturbed by Keranen’s behavior as a public official. “I think that our community is such a beautiful place and we care for one other,” Tater said. “It’s incredibly disheartening that someone would just start attacking groups of people, such as queer people and people of color.”

The flier is co-sponsored by Keweenaw Indivisible, Keweenaw Mutual Aid Collective, Keweenaw Socialists, Michigan United Action, Up North Advocacy and Keweenaw Against the Oligarchy. More than 300 comments on about a dozen Facebook posts call into question the motives behind a seemingly pro-Immigration and Custom Enforcement float featured in the parade.

The photo originates from a post made on Traprock Valley Fourth of July Parade’s Facebook. Four people are wearing costumes and two signs are visible. One saying, “Houghton County ICE” and the other saying “CALL OUR HOTLINE. 1-800-BORDERHOPPER. 24 HR DROPBOXES AVAILIBLE.”

The images surrounding the two posters mirror bags of ice and an ice cooler found at a gas station or a grocery store. The original post from Traprock Valley Parade’s page is no longer available.

Some on Facebook rallied to call Keranen and complain. “Joel Keranen should never be allowed to hold political office in Michigan again,” Shannon from Calumet posted Monday. “And I think you should all give this man a call, and let him know what you think about his behavior.”

One former resident posted a Facebook reel critiquing the parade float and Keranen. “If Joel Keranen really does approve these things, and he is part of the public office, like, a County Commissioner isn’t just a parade guest, they’re an elected representative,” Rachel Averitt posted in a reel Tuesday. “Their responsibility is to represent everyone in their county. That includes any immigrants and Latino residents and mixed status families.”

A former Houghton County resident who wishes not to be identified shared their concerns to The Gazette, and said the float perpetuated harmful stereotypes of the Mexican community, of which the former resident has family members.

“This float poked fun at Mexicans and clearly perpetuates harmful stereotypes, all in front of small children, continuing to spread ignorance and hate in this small Traprock Valley community. What should have been a fun-loving, family-focused celebration spread hate and no one bats an eye,” the former resident said in an email. “I am sad for our small community. This may not be a hate crime, but it is a hate incident, which is defined as a non-criminal act motivated by bias against someone’s race. As someone with Mexican family members, I am beyond disgusted.”

It was unclear the degree of involvement Keranen had with approving floats. The Daily Mining Gazette reached out multiple times regarding the controversy but he did not respond by press time.

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Chelsea Bossert can be reached at 906-482-1500 or cbossert@mininggazette.com.