Locavore Festival

Houghton’s waterfront will come alive on Saturday, May 23 from 12 to 4 PM as the Locavore Festival returns to the Pier! Locavore celebrates the creativity, flavor, and talent of the Keweenaw. Nearly sixty vendors will line the waterfront with handmade goods, farm fresh products, small batch foods, and community organizations. This is all set to live music from Toni Saari and Matt Bradley.

This year’s artist and maker lineup brings an especially vibrant mix of styles and specialties. Shoppers will find handmade clothing from Topaz’s Trinkets, UP inspired wood inlay pieces from Cedar Lake Workshop, and paintings and prints from Bayside Fine Art and Studio 13. Snarky Spark adds humor with engraved gifts, while Copper Country Collective brings licensed 3D printed creations. Cabin Fever Creative returns with driftwood critters and garden décor, and Red’s Berry Sweet Art brings playful, character-driven art. Additional makers will offer fiber arts, jewelry, photography, leatherwork, hand dyed textiles, goat’s milk soap, books, and a wide range of creative goods that reflect the region’s artistic energy.

Cottage food producers and small batch makers add another layer of flavor to the event. Julie’s Chocolates return with handmade gourmet chocolates, and The Forager and The Baker will have their fan-favorite granola, jams, and chaga. Senise Family Farms will offer plant infused skincare, tinctures, and their popular infused vinegars and salts. M&M Goodies and Copper Country Sweets will feature breads, pastries, and desserts. These vendors create a marketplace where visitors can take home unique flavors and handmade treats that cannot be found anywhere else!

The farm section remains one of the most beloved parts of Locavore, connecting residents directly with the growers who shape the region’s food system. Troemner Farm, Minnie Farms, Whispering Wild Market Farm, and Boersma Family Roots anchor the lineup with produce, herbs, plant starts, baked goods, and early season vegetables. Ghost House Farm and Dragon Tree Gardens add flowers, quail eggs, floral jellies, and unique garden starts. North Harvest contributes sourdough, baked goods, and farm-made products, and Diamond S Ranch will again bring baby goats for families to meet, creating a joyful, hands-on experience for visitors of all ages.

Delicious food and beverage options round out the experience! Griffin Family Café and Catering will serve festival friendly favorites like pasties and pulled pork, Living Proof Brewing Co. will offer their locally brewed kombucha, and the Copper Island Bagel Bus will bring their beloved food truck to the pier.

Community organizations including VFW Post 3900, the Copper Country Humane Society, From the Ground, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Copper Shores will also be present, offering opportunities for learning, connection, and local engagement.