Project Manhigh was an Air Force balloon program that took humans to the edge of space. Manhigh II was the most successful mission of the three-flight series. Major David G. Simons, M. D., piloted the balloon and set an official altitude record of 101,516 feet (above ground level; 102,400 feet above sea level.) Simons took off from the Portsmouth Mine, an open pit iron mine, in Crosby on a flight that lasted more than 32 hours. Launching from a deep pit protected the balloon, which stood 350 feet tall, from the wind prior to release. The ceremony was held at the Croft Mine Park in Crosby.

Celebrity guests included Dr. Simons, Apollo scientist astronaut Dr. Duane Graveline; and Dr. Marcello Vasquez of the Brookhaven National Laboratory. General Bruce Carlson, Commander of the Air Force Materiel Command at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, represented the United States Air Force. Mr. Edward Dittmer, a Certified Aeromedical Technician who worked on Manhigh at the Holloman Air Force Base Aeromedical Field Laboratory, also attended the event. Congressman James Oberstar delivered some remarks during the ceremony.

Dr. Simons' keynote address was titled "The Messenger is Not the Message." He emphasized the fact that Manhigh was the culmination of a series of flights that began with laboratory animals to determine the effects of cosmic radiation on the human body. (On Saturday, August 18th, Drs. Simons, Graveline, and Vasquez conducted a space symposium. Dr. Simons talked about early cosmic radiation research. Dr. Graveline discussed the effects of cosmic radiation exposure during the Apollo missions to the moon. Dr. Vasquez' presentation focused on hazards of long term cosmic radiation exposure on NASA's planned Project Orion lunar missions and trip to Mars.)

At the beginning of the celebration, everyone was invited to take a short bus ride to the scenic overlook on the lake that was once the Portsmouth Mine where Dr. Simons took off. (After production stopped at the mine, it was allowed to fill with water.) There, a kiosk containing information on Manhigh II was unveiled. Once General Carlson and Dr. Simons unveiled the kiosk, everyone returned to the Croft Mine Park.

In addition, there were a variety of activities to commemorate the Manhigh II flight, including a special postmark by the Crosby Post Office and the unveiling of a new exhibit at the Cuyuna Range Historical Museum.

The celebration was a true community event. Once everyone was back at the park, the ceremony began with the presentation of the colors by the Ironton & Deerwood American Legion Color Guard. Music was provided by the Cuyuna Range Community Band.