The end is near for Mineview in the Sky.

Or a new beginning, depending how you look at it.

On Sunday, Oct. 4, Mineview in the Sky, one of the Iron Range's iconic tourist attractions, closes to make way for a rerouting of Highway 53.

The 36-year-old overlook, which attracts tens of thousands of visitors annually, needs to be moved due to an expansion of United Taconite.

"You wouldn't believe the number of people who are calling me every day about the closing and talking about it on our Facebook page, "said Lori Beth Maki, whose company "Mineview in the Sky The Shop at the Top," operates the facility.

The "end is here" celebration begins at 11 a.m., Oct. 4 and runs through the day.

Musical entertainment will be provided by the gospel group "Circle of Friends." A barbecue, games, and a possible appearance by an Iron Range book author/historian are planned.

Elected officials from the cities of Virginia and Mountain Iron, which provide support for the mineview, are invited to attend.

"We're asking people to bring a lawn chair and come on up," said Maki. "The Vikings don't play until 3:30 that day, and this is the grand finale, so come on up."

By the end of the year, the tourist center building atop the mineview will be razed said Maki. And the huge mining equipment which stands on top of the overlook will be demolished and scrapped.

"The equipment is just too big to move," said Maki. "You can't move that big truck."

Maki is forming a committee to help develop plans for a new Mineview in the Sky.

A location about 1,600 feet above sea level along what's known as the county dump road is being eyed as a potential new site, said Maki. The current MineView in the Sky is 1,520 feet above sea level, she said.

"You'd be able to see United Taconite, ArcelorMittal, U.S. Steel (Minntac Mine) and the bridge from the new site," said Maki. "I would like to be able to run the business and have a little coffee shop there where people can have their coffee and look at the bridge."

Maki is reaching out to area mining companies to seek donations of retired mining equipment that would be displayed at the new mineview.

So while friends and fans of the current mineview are sad to see it go, Maki is looking to the future.

"It's melancholy, but it's progress," said Maki. "We're going to have a new and better site."