Central UP Events

Northern Michigan University’s Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center will unveil two exhibits in its new gallery space in 223 Harden Hall: “The Conservationists: George Shiras III, Theodore Roosevelt and the Migratory Bird Act”; and a permanent display of artifacts, photographs and stories about NMU. The opening reception begins at noon Saturday, Jan. 31. “The Conservationists” focuses on the relationship between Shiras and Roosevelt and how the two helped shape conservation and environmental policy in the United States during the early 1900s. The exhibit will feature actual correspondence between the two figures from the collection of the Central Upper Peninsula and NMU

February 23, 2026-January 2, 2027 This exhibit showcases two hundred and fifty artifacts, photographs, and documents from our permanent collections. These objects connect local history to the national story while commemorating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. Michigan’s Upper Peninsula has often seemed remote from the rest of the country. However, the themes and movements of U.S. history can be seen here as well, especially since the War of 1812. When the country braced for the Civil War, U.P. iron miners raced to uncover iron for the Union army’s railroads and ammunitions. When labor movements exploded following

Registration fees are $195 per team until May 8th and $215 May 9th until May 13th.  Be a Part of U.P. History  What makes The Big Bay Relay different from any other relay? It is the Upper Peninsula’s most esteemed and historic race relay event. Join the Noquemanon Trail Network in celebrating the 48th annual Big Bay Relay kicking off at the Kaufman Sports Complex Saturday, May 16th 2026!  The relay welcomes runners of all levels and we cannot wait to see what creative team names our runners come up with for the 2026 race! Teams are composed of five

Deadline June 12, 2025.  The Marquette Kiwanis Club proudly announces our 31st year of sponsoring the Marquette July 4th Parade with the City of Marquette-starting at 2 pm on Saturday July 4th at McClelland & W. Washington. Online Application to enter Parade, click the link and fill out the application form at https://bit.ly/KiwanisMQTParadeApplication. Theme: One Nation Indivisible – Celebrating 250 Years!    To encourage youth participation, 10 grants of $150 to defray float costs along with fee waivers will be given to youth sports, dance and theater groups. Contact Pam Simmons to apply (see below). Also, we offer an accessible

What brings you joy? Whether it’s cozying up with a new story, learning a new skill, or gathering with community, you can find your joy at the Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library (ICPL). First celebrated in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association. National Library Week, April 19–25, 2026, is a time to celebrate the many ways libraries bring people together, spark imagination, and support lifelong learning. From books and digital resources to job assistance and creative programming, libraries are essential to thriving communities. At the Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, we invite everyone to

Northern Michigan University’s 12th annual Anderton’s Earth Week will be held April 19-25. This year’s schedule has more than 30 events and activities to celebrate the arrival of spring. Gamma Theta Upsilon, NMU’s geographic honors society, is working with the Department of Earth, Environmental, and Geographic Sciences and the Sustainability Hub for Innovation and Environment (SHINE) to host an action-packed week of Earth-themed activities. Several of the events offer high-impact learning opportunities, such as gathering data for citizen science projects or learning about foraging and maple syrup-making on campus. Others are designed to foster belonging and well-being, from sipping tea to creating a house for

Wednesdays April (8, 15, 22, 29), 2026.  10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.  Peter White Public Library Great Room.  Songs, rhymes, stories and finger-plays for newborns to 17 months with a loving adult. Older siblings are welcome.  No admission charge.  For more information and to check the status of the program, call 906-226-4323 or visit pwpl.info.  

Wednesday, April 22, 2026.  1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.  Peter White Public Library Teen Zone.  Home School Teens, Ages 11 & up, are welcome to join Amanda in the Teen Zone for bi-weekly book discussions. We will be discussing The Experiment by Rebecca Stead. For youth ages 11 & up.  No admission charge.  For more information or to check the status of this program, call 906-226-4321, email Amanda at pierce@pwpl.info, visit pwpl.info, or find Peter White Public Library Teen Services on Instagram or Facebook  

Wednesday, April 22, 2026.  2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.  Peter White Public Library. Peter White Conference Room.  Adult Nonfiction Book Group at the Peter White Public Library focuses on narrative nonfiction book picks that tell stories of our past, present, and future. This book group is for people who enjoy reading nonfiction that read like fiction. Join us as we explore this month’s book Four Mothers by Abigail Leonard.  No registration or admission charge.  For more information call 906-226-4311 or email refdesk@pwpl.info.  

Wednesday, April 22, 2026.  4:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.  Peter White Public Library Community Room. We have partnered with Iron Golem Games to bring Dungeon and Dragons to the PWPL. Jordan, from Iron Golem Games and local DM’s, will lead groups of teens on an epic quest with this role-playing game. For students in grades 6-12.  Registration is required; no admission charge.  For more information and to check the status of this program, call 906-226-4321, email Amanda at apierce@pwpl.info or visit pwpl.info.  

Wednesday, April 22, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Ore Dock Brewing Co. 114 West Spring St, Marquette, MI   Join United Way of Marquette County for a special Business After Hours as they celebrate the success of their Annual Campaign!   This evening brings together United Way’s generous donors, dedicated partner agencies, workplace campaign leaders, and community champions.   Celebrate alongside media partners and nonprofit agencies who help make United Way’s work possible every day. Together, they are building a stronger, healthier Marquette County.   Celebration of United Way’s campaign impact Opportunity to connect with local leaders & organizations Light refreshments

Marquette Regional History Center & League of Women Voters present: Swimming Suffragettes: The Evolution and Revolution in Women’s Bathing Suits Wednesday, April 22, 5:30 p.m. What’s the connection between bathing suits and women’s right to vote? Join us as Carrie Moon-Dupree, Director of Development for the League of Women Voters of Michigan, showcases her wonderful collection of vintage to modern swimwear, tracing the style changes as a mirror of the changing history of women’s rights in the United States. This fundraiser for the League of Women Voters of Marquette County will support its efforts to provide non-partisan voter education, voter

A beachside atmosphere will fill the Marquette Regional History Center on April 22, 2026, as the Marquette County League of Women Voters hosts its spring fundraiser: “Swimming Suffragettes: The Evolution and Revolution in Women’s Bathing Suits.” Carrie Moon-Dupree, Director of Development for the Michigan League, has been a longtime collector of vintage women’s swimsuits and has observed that their evolution parallels the progress of women’s rights. Tasty finger foods and luscious drinks will welcome guests at 5:30 p.m., and displays of the History Center’s vintage suits, along with photos of League members’ relatives in suits from their time, will entertain

Wednesday, April 22, 2026.  6:00 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.  Peter White Public Library Great Room.  An environmentally-minded storytime for families with children of all ages. Join us for a fun-filled storytime featuring stories, songs and interactive activities as we share why we love our home, the Earth. Children under the age of 8 must have an adult in the program with them.  No admission charge.  For more information and to check the status of the program, call 906-226-4323 or visit pwpl.info.  

Wednesday, April 22, 2026,  6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.  Peter White Public Library Community Room. Adults, Seniors, Teens. In honor of Earth Day, join GLPF Keynote Poet Patricia Killelea, as she reads from her recently released collection Solace: Poems from the Northwoods. Killelea, an award-winning author and filmmaker, will read from Solace and premiere a new videopoem.  No admission charge.  For more information, contact Marty at 226-4322, machatz@pwpl.info, or visit pwpl.info.  

April 22 7:30 p.m. Reynolds Recital Hall The NMU Orchestra will perform at 7:30 p.m. April 22 in Reynolds Recital Hall under the direction of Barbara Rhyneer. This performance features works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Giovanni Gabrieli, Jean Sibelius, Antonín Dvořák and Eric Whitacre. A chamber ensemble will open the concert with selections from two Mozart quintets and a canzon by Gabrieli. The full orchestra will perform Sibelius’ “Finlandia” and “Andante Festivo,” the final movement of Dvořák’s “New World” Symphony, and Whitacre’s “Goodnight Moon,” featuring vocal faculty member Keri Lee Pierson as a soloist. The program will showcase a range