Central UP Events

The Northern Michigan University Orchestra, directed by Barbara Rhyneer, will present its annual Children’s Concert at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25, in Reynolds Recital Hall. This is a free event. “The music that the orchestra will perform is generally familiar to the families since it is based on film and musicals,” Rhyneer said. “Plus, the folk fiddle tune ‘Blackberry Blossom’ offers a chance for the small kids to get up and dance.” Selections the orchestra will perform include “How to Train Your Dragon” by John Powell, “Phantom of the Opera” by Andrew Lloyd Webber, “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s

Tuesdays and Thursdays, February (10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26), 2026.  10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.  Peter White Public Library Heritage Room.  Need help with the settings on your phone? Want to download the downtown parking app? Learn how to make your electronic devices work the way you want them to with the help of Christine Ault, retired teacher and librarian. Call the Reference Desk at 906-226-4311 to schedule your 30-minute session. Please charge your electronic device before each session, and bring passwords with you. No fees.  

Michigan State University Extension Beef Team will be conducting a Cow Calf Meeting in Rudyard at the Rudyard Township Town Hall on Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 6:00 pm EST MSU Extension’s winter cow-calf meetings provide a forum for producers to stay informed on management, markets, and emerging issues that can impact profitability and long-term operational success. Merck Animal Health will be sponsoring the meetings, providing pizza and soft drinks. Topics will include the beef market outlook, protecting cattle prices with the Livestock Risk Protection program, the Effects of Maternal Bovine Appeasing Substance, and genetic selection for carcass characteristics. Reservations

Tuesdays & Fridays February (3, 6, 10, 13, 17, 20, 24, 27), 2026. 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Peter White Public Library Great Room. Preschool age children. Stories, songs, finger-plays, crafts and other school-readiness activities for preschool age children and a loving adult. Siblings welcome. No admission charge. For more information and to check the status of the program, call 906-226-4323

Fridays, February (6, 13, 20, 27) 2026.  Noon – 1:00 p.m.  Peter White Public Library, Heritage Room.  In partnership with several area organizations, this hour-long event offers a safe space to pause, reflect, and build meaningful connections with others who are committed to cultivating kindness in our world. Each week, a different organization takes the lead, with experienced educators and leaders facilitating. This rotating format ensures diverse perspectives and practices while maintaining a shared commitment to the Charter for Compassion and the Circle of Trust principles. For more information and to check on the status of the program, call 906-226-4303

Fridays February (6, 20, 27), 2026.  4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.  Peter White Public Library Great Room.  Meet other LEGO enthusiasts and build LEGO projects with the library’s LEGO blocks. Family friendly, 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.  

150 West Johnson Lake Road, Gwinn, MI 49841   Dates: January 3, 2026 – March 14, 2026   Recurrence: Recurring weekly on Saturday   Get Ready For This Winter’s Biggest Adrenaline Rush: The Upper Michigan Ice Races   Are you ready to take your thrill-seeking to the next level? Join the Upper Michigan Ice Racing Association for an action-packed series of Weekly Ice Races held on Saturdays, where dirt bikes and quads tear up the ice in a battle of speed, skill, and sheer power!   The Upper Michigan Ice Races are open to the public for spectating or bring

An exciting literary event is coming to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula this winter. The Writing North Winter Book Fest will bring together authors, readers, and community members for a weekend dedicated to books, storytelling, and regional voices from February 28 – March 1, 2026, in various locations in downtown Manistique. Hosted by The Mill Manistique and in partnership with Paper Mill Books, the festival marks the first time Manistique will host a winter-focused book festival designed to celebrate writers and books that are culturally connected to the Great Lakes region. “As a lifelong northerner, a reader, and an author, I know

Saturdays, February (7, 14, 21, 28), 2026.  11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.  Peter White Public Library Great Room.  Songs, rhymes, stories and finger-plays geared towards babies through preschool with a loving adult. Older siblings and older children welcome. No admission charge. For more information and to check the status of the program, call 906-226-4323 or visit pwpl.info.  

Join the District on March 2 or 3 for Tour, Presentation, Q&A   Marquette, MI – Marquette Area Public Schools (MAPS) will host a series of Town Hall Meetings in early March to provide families, staff, and community members with information about the May 5, 2026 bond proposal. Each session will include an optional guided tour of the school building, followed by a presentation outlining proposed improvements, project priorities, and opportunities for community questions to be answered.   The meetings are designed to help residents learn more about the District’s long‑range facilities plan, which addresses aging infrastructure, safety and accessibility