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

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

Women Build 2026 Empowers Community Through “Give to Gain” Initiative  Marquette County Habitat for Humanity along with event sponsor, Zonta Club of the Marquette Area, invites community members to participate in Women Build 2026, a three-day annual event designed to empower individuals and strengthen communities through the spirit of generosity and collaboration.  Centered around the theme “Give to Gain,” Women Build 2026 celebrates the idea that when individuals give their time, talents, and resources, the entire community benefits. The event creates opportunities for women and supporters of all backgrounds to come together as volunteers, donors, and advocates, working alongside Habitat

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 30. 3:30-4:30 p.m.  Youth ages 5 and up are welcome to participate in a weekly building club, from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Thursday, April 30. Kids will discuss a topic that will be the focus of their creations, and then have time to build with blocks such as LEGO bricks. Participants can have their creations displayed in the library until the following meeting. Children 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

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