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

Learn how to use the PWPL Memory Lab, a hands-on digital preservation station located on the second floor of the building. Preserve your precious memories by digitizing old slides, photographs, VHS tapes and BetaMax. Bring a sample item to digitize along with a thumb drive. Thumb drives are available for purchase at the circulation desk for $5. Pencils and paper will be provided to take notes.  

April 23 – June 10, 2026 Opening Reception: Thursday, April 23, 7-8:30pm HANCOCK, Mich. – Existing between different spaces while not fully belonging to one or the other is something many people experience. What does it mean to belong and how do we know when we do belong? Liminal Sanctuaries, a new exhibition by Michigan artist Bonnie Loukus, features oil paintings of solitary animals and forest floor ecosystems, in between reality and some incorporeal place where they exist without human interference. The exhibit opens with a reception at Finlandia Art Gallery on Thursday, April 23 at 7pm and will be

Mondays & Thursdays April (6, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27, 30), 2026.  10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.  Peter White Public Library Great Room.  For children 18 to 36 months with a loving adult, siblings welcome. Stories and songs to engage the curious mind and wiggly body, followed by sensory play activities.  No admission charge.  For more information and to check the status of the program, call 906-226-4323 or visit pwpl.info.  

Thursday April (16, 23)  10:30 a.m.  Peter White Public Library Heritage Room. Join Tech Coach Christine Ault in a group setting for a series of special topics that go in-depth about different digital tools on your personal device and in the library.  Registration is required, please call the Reference Desk at 906-226-4311 to reserve a spot.  Classes begin at 10:30 am and meet in the Heritage Room.  

Powerful Tools for Caregivers, a six-week online workshop, designed for the non-professional, informal family caregiver, will be held on Thursdays, March 19 through April 23, from 1:30 – 3:00 pm (Eastern) via Zoom. Research studies find high rates of depression and anxiety among caregivers and increased vulnerability to health problems. Caregivers frequently cite restriction of personal activities and social life as problems. In addition, caregivers often feel a lack of control over events and a sense of powerlessness which can have a significant negative impact on their physical and emotional health. The Powerful Tools for Caregivers program will provide caregivers

Thursday, April 23 3:30-5:30 p.m.  The Negaunee Public Library will hold a drop-in craft event for kids ages 5 and up from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 23. Children can stop by to create something fun to take home. Youngsters ages 7 and under must be accompanied by a caring adult; older youth who are unaccompanied must be able to provide a caring adult’s phone number in case of emergency. This event is free. For more information, visit the library’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NegauneePublicLibrary/ or call 906-475-7700 ext.18.  

Thursdays, April (9, 23, 30), 2026.  4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.  Peter White Public Library Youth Services Makerspace.  Youth of all ages who are interested in Pokémon card trading and gaming are invited to our new monthly Pokémon Trading & Gaming Sessions. Kids who attend will be able to trade & play the card game with other kids. Please note that staff do not know how to play the game, so it is not guaranteed that gaming will always happen. If your child has a friend they like to game with, come together! Kids will also be able to spend

Thursday, April 23, 2026.  6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.  Peter White Public Library Huron Mountain Club Gallery and Deo Gallery.  Teens, Adults, Seniors. Join us for two artist receptions in one night! Speak with the artists about their work and exhibits on display. Huron Mountain Club Gallery – High School Arts Deo Gallery – I Did Not Break by Taryn Okesson  

Thursday, April 23 6:15 p.m Vandament Arena  Comedian Sal Vulcano of “Impractical Jokers” fame will make a stop at Northern Michigan University on his “Everything’s Fine” tour Thursday, April 23. Doors to Vandament Arena open at 6:15 p.m. and the show begins at 7. Vulcano is an improvisational and stand-up comedian best known for co-creating, executive producing and starring in one of the most recognized and long-standing comedy shows of all time. “Impractical Jokers” now on the TBS network, is in its 11th season and has produced multiple spinoff shows. Alongside his co-stars from the series, Vulcano performs as part

Thursday, April 23, 2026,  6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.  Peter White Public Library Community Room. Adults, Seniors, Teens. Michigan Notable writer, artist, and educator Cindy Hunter Morgan discusses the process of creating limited edition artist books. Come learn about this fascinating art form and admire some of Morgan’s creations.  No admission charge.  For more information, contact Marty at 226-4322, machatz@pwpl.info, or visit pwpl.info.