Central UP Events

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

May 1st through July 31st, 2026. Peter White Public Library Youth Services desk   Jurassic Art Reception on August 4th, 2026  3:00pm-6:00pm   Calling all young artists! Youth of all ages are encouraged to submit art to the Peter White Public Library Youth Services desk beginning May 1st through July 31st, 2026. Artists may find inspiration in the Summer Reading: Unearth a Story theme, but are not confined to the given theme for their art pieces. We ask that your submissions do not exceed 12 inches in any direction, and that only one art piece is submitted per child. Submissions

Small Business Week May 3 – 9

Wednesday, May 5, 2026.  10:00 – 11:00 AM.  Peter White Public Library Peter White Conference Room.  This Book Group welcomes readers interested in a variety of contemporary fiction on the first Wednesday of the month at 10 AM. Book discussions will be led by Reference Desk staff. Book selection for April will be BROKEN COUNTRY by Leslie Hall. To learn about the group’s upcoming book selections, pick-up the Books & Banter 2026 reading list and discussion guide at the reference desk. Please call 906-226-4311 or visit pwpl.info with questions.  

Tuesday May 5, 2026. 5:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Peter White Public Library Community Room. This author presentation is open to the community with MAPS Young Author Week 2026, author Sarah Weeks. There will be a short author presentation by Sarah, followed by book signings. Snowbound Books will be onsite to sell books. Children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult.  No admission charge.  For more information and to check the status of the program, call 906-226-4323 or visit pwpl.info  

Tuesdays, May (5, 12, 19, 26) 2026.  6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.  Peter White Public Library Heritage Room. Mediate Marquette and PWPL have collaborated to offer a weekly, in-person mindfulness meditation program. The sessions begin at 6:00 pm followed by a period of fellowship. Dr. Debra Smith, a Certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher and psychologist, will deliver brief talks exploring various aspects of meditation and its impact on our lives. These talks will take place on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, while longer meditation sessions are scheduled for the remaining Tuesdays. All individuals, regardless of skill level or spiritual affiliation, are