Central UP Events

Saturday Morning Farmers Market Saturdays, May 16 – Nov., 9 am – 1 pm

July 25, 10 am – 6 pm July 26, 10 am – 4 pm Find over 140 artists featured at the Art on the Rocks Festival this month, held in Mattson Lower Harbor Park. Open from 10 am – 6 pm on Saturday, July 25, and 10 am – 4 pm on Sunday, July 26, this event helps to support local artists and creators in our community as well as bringing artists from across the country.  

The St. Rocco–St. Anthony Society of Ishpeming will host its 126th annual Italian Fest on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at the Al Quaal Recreation Area in Ishpeming. The event is free and open to the public.   Festivities begin at noon and will feature a full day of Italian heritage, family entertainment, food, music, and community activities. Guests can enjoy traditional Italian and American cuisine, games of chance, ring toss, balloon darts, bingo, a giant glide slide, and a bounce house for children.   One of the festival’s longstanding traditions, the Greased Pole competition, will return with participants competing for

Saturday, July 25 at 1:00 pm CDT Miners Memorial Heritage Park 771 E Ayer St. Ironwood, MI 49938   Free event   Jeff Walker learned the art of blacksmithing twenty years ago in his home state of South Dakota. As a member of the Dakota Artists-Blacksmiths’ Association, he is passionate about preserving blacksmithing in the modern world. Now transplanted to Northern Wisconsin, he travels with a trailer full of tools, portable forges, and homemade charcoal, and showcases his blacksmithing wherever there are people curious about this ancient craft.   https://emberlight.org/event/jeff-walker-blacksmith/  

Saturday, July 25, 2026 6:30pm Women’s Federated Clubhouse, 104 W. Ridge St. The League of Women Voters of Marquette County invites all citizens to a free event on July 25, 2026 at the Women’s Federated Clubhouse, 104 W. Ridge St. in Marquette at 6:30pm. Mark Brewer, a long-time election consultant and lawyer, will speak on Challenges in Michigan Elections 2026.  Mark has been the litigator for the League of Women Voters of Michigan in the past, and continues as a vigilant observer and commentator on the state of election law and security in Michigan. His presentation will be preceded by

Saturday, July 25 at 7:00 pm CDT Theatre North 825 N Lake St. Ironwood, MI 49938   $10 Regular seats; Free student tickets   This film takes a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of an opera house against the backdrop of the politicians, philanthropists, artists and institutions that collectively shaped the cultural life of New York City, including the people who were displaced from their homes to make room for the new center. Their intersection would lead to the transformation of a neighborhood and the building of one of the crown jewels of the city’s cultural institutions.    https://emberlight.org/event/the-opera-house/    

July 25, 10 am – 6 pm July 26, 10 am – 4 pm Find over 140 artists featured at the Art on the Rocks Festival this month, held in Mattson Lower Harbor Park. Open from 10 am – 6 pm on Saturday, July 25, and 10 am – 4 pm on Sunday, July 26, this event helps to support local artists and creators in our community as well as bringing artists from across the country.  

A pre-scheduled joint training exercise involving U.S. military personnel, law enforcement agencies, and emergency response partners will take place July 27-30. Michigan State Police (MSP) personnel and resources will be participating alongside our local, state, and federal partners. Troopers and other local law enforcement will remain available to respond to routine calls for service, public safety needs, and 911 emergencies throughout the exercise. The exercise will begin in Marquette and conclude in Sault Ste. Marie. Throughout the exercise, residents may notice an increased presence of military personnel, law enforcement, specialized vehicles, marine resources, and helicopters. This is only a training

July 27-31 Northern Michigan University will host the 2026 BIPOC Outdoors Summit & Rest Retreat July 27-31. While the events are designed to center the experiences of Black, Indigenous and People of Color in outdoor spaces, everyone is welcome to participate. The emphasis is on creating an environment that fosters belonging, reflection and engagement with nature. Programming will include outdoor adventures, skills workshops and discussions focused on leadership, wellness and community-building. Attendees will also have access to restorative spaces intended for reflection, connection and self-care.  The summit July 27-28 will feature keynote speakers, breakout sessions and local excursions. Block lodging

Monday, July 27, 2026.  10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.  Peter White Public Library Dandelion Cottage Room.  Adults, Seniors. Join Marty for an in-person, in-depth discussion of Upper Michigan Today’s All Booked Up book of the month. Come with your questions, insights, and observations. This month’s book: This month’s book: Son of Nobody by Yann Martel.  No admission charge.  For more information, contact Marty at 226-4322, machatz@pwpl.info, or visit pwpl.info.