Central UP Events

I am excited to invite your participation in the 9th Annual Spread Goodness Day on Friday, March 13th, 2026.     Over the last eight years, this event has inspired millions of acts of goodness throughout Michigan & across the United States as individuals, schools, and organizations spread goodness in their communities.    For 2026, our mission is clear: Make the future so bright, we all need shades!    While every day is a good day to spread goodness, by celebrating together, our individual efforts, multiplied by hundreds, thousands, even millions, have the power to change the world. Think of it

The U.P. Hospice Foundation has been awarded a Community Pilot Grant to host an Upper Peninsula–wide Grief Support Conference designed to equip professionals with practical tools to better support grieving children and youth across the region. The U.P. Hospice Foundation serves as the fiduciary and project manager for the grant, with the conference developed through a collaborative partnership with U.P. Home Health & Hospice, Lake Superior Life Care & Hospice, and Dr. Yan Ciupak, co-founder of the Grief Support Specialist Program at Northern Michigan University. Grief Support Training: Bridging Theory and Practice in Supporting Children and Youth is a one-day,

Tuesdays & Fridays March (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 or visit pwpl.info.  

The Barnes-Hecker Mine Disaster occurred on November 3, 1926. Fifty-one men lost their lives; forty-one of them are still buried at the site of the cave in. To commemorate the 100th anniversary, the Marquette Regional History Center will host Digitization Days, where community members can receive free digital scans of their documents and photographs pertaining to the mine, employees, family members, and friends. These scans will be added to the Longyear Research Library’s digital collections for future generations to learn from.   Digitization Days will be held at the Marquette Regional History Center on Saturday, March 7 from 10-3, at

Fridays, March (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

Friday, March 13, 2026.  12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.  Peter White Public Library Shiras Room. Adults, Seniors. In conjunction with NMU’s Common Reader Program, PWPL screens this documentary detailing the events surrounding June 28, 1969, that kicked off the modern gay civil rights movement. Rated R. No admission charge. For more information, contact Marty at 226-4322, machatz@pwpl.info, or visit pwpl.info.  

Friday, March 13, 2026.  12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.  Peter White Public Library Youth Services Room.  Kids of all ages are welcome to come and hang out at the library during this MAPS halfday! Come read, check out materials, play and drop-in for some special half-day activities! In case you missed Thursday or didn’t get enough LEGO time in – we are doubling down with a second LEGO all day! There will be LEGO building challenges in the Great Room and LEGO Stamping in the Makerspace. Children under the age of 8 must have an adult in the program with

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

Breakfast and Business Series: Healthcare in Our Community Holiday Inn Marquette 1951 US-41, Marquette, MI Friday, March 27 | 7:30 – 9:30 a.m. Register Today! Start your morning with coffee, breakfast, and time to connect before a conversation with regional leaders about the role healthcare plays in our community. Panelists will share high-level perspectives on what they are seeing locally, how needs are changing, and how organizations are working together to support residents and businesses. This discussion will explore the connections between healthcare, quality of life, and a strong local economy, with time for questions and open dialogue. Registration is

Saturdays, March (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.