Western UP Events

Copper Harbor Date: July 4th, 2025 Spend 4th of July in Michigan’s northernmost town of Copper Harbor, MI! Copper Harbor is well-known for its beautiful lights display over the water, and this year’s epic aerial drone display is no exception! This charming small town features a parade at 10AM, followed by kid’s games in the park at 1PM. This leaves ample time to grill out or explore the great outdoors before the drone show at dusk (typically around 10-11PM).

Hubbell-Tamarack Date: July 4th, 2025 The Hubbell Fire Department hosts family-friendly action on the 4th of July! The annual Hubbell parade starts at 10:30AM, starting at Koppers to the south end of Tamarack. Make sure to catch the sports program at 1PM and purchase your 50/50 raffle ticket before the big drawing. If you have some time to kill in the afternoon, a hike at Hungarian Falls may be the perfect activity to fill your day with a solid mix of celebration and nature experiences.

Gay Date: July 4th, 2025 Gay, Michigan is a great place to celebrate the 4th of July! From 12-3PM, The Auxiliary hosts its huge July Bazaar and Sale at the Community Hall. At 2PM, people line the streets to catch the crazy, goofy fun of the Gay Parade! Grab a drink at the iconic Gay Bar or explore the historic ruins of the Mohawk Mining Company Stamp Mill before heading to one of the neighboring communities for fireworks in the evening.

Tapiola Date: July 4th, 2025 Tapiola is a is a small community south of Houghton that was founded by Finnish Americans. Although the community only spans an area of about 8 miles, the parade on July 4th at 10:30AM draws in quite a crowd! The first 4th of July parade in Tapiola was organized by local resident, Robert Olson, in 2016. Since then, the parade has continued to grow, with a unique focus on the people and culture of the community.  The parade ends at the community baseball field, where there are kid’s games and free hot dogs for all to enjoy. 

Mohawk Date: July 4th, 2025 Mohawk-Fulton celebrations are all about the kids! Let your little ones get creative for the Kid’s Bike Parade at 10AM beginning at the Firehall. Then, kick back and relax while the kids enjoy fun games in Mohawk Park afterwards. Of course, 4th of July wouldn’t be 4th of July without some hot dogs or burgers. Make sure to grab a bite to eat before your next Independence Day adventure.

Eagle Harbor Date: July 4th, 2025 This quaint harbor town hosts an early morning parade at 9:30AM to kick-off your 4th of July celebrations. Head to the Ball Yard at 10:30AM for games and contests, then get your toes in the sand at the beloved Eagle Harbor beach at 12PM. Enjoy lighthouse views or dip your toes in the harbor before enjoying fun games and food in the park. This town serves at a great hopping off point for plenty of outdoor adventures. From here, head to Great Sand Bay for a 4th of July Beach Day or check out the festivities taking place in

Join us on Friday, July 4th, for the VFD Auxiliary Bazaar and Sales.  We have new items arriving every week, so many great items have been added.  Special Feature this sale:  Men’s Items.  Also, we will have new auction items to bid on. Everything is now on the main floor of the Community Hall. Desserts will be available inside and the Fire Department will be having a Food Sale outside.  While in Gay take advantage of touring the historical Gay Schoolhouse.  Come join us and support the firefighters and the community of Gay/Sherman Township. Friday, July4th from 12:00 -3:00 p.m. Gay Community Hall

Our July Monthly Meeting will be held at 7:00pm, (Eastern Time), in person at the Stannard Township Hall on 7/07/2025. For virtual attendance, we now have ZOOM available, along with the strictly audio/phone method. If you would like to attend virtually, please email me at this address and I will get you the connection information.

Copper Range Historical Society is having its 36th Annual Member Dinner & Meeting on Wednesday, July 9, at Grace Lutheran, Hwy M-26, South Range. Program by Jim Kurtti titled “Sauna:  Everything Old is New Again.”  Meal features Krupps pasties, coleslaw, and dessert.  Tickets $10.00.  Available at the museum during open hours or from Janet Kokko at 906-482-2368. Doors open at 5:30 pm.  Members and public invited.

Wednesday, July 9th Red Jacket Readers book club discussion of The Frozen River, by Ariel Lawhon 6:30 – 7:30 pm Calumet Public Library – Community Room Open to the Public The Frozen River In Maine, 1789, when the Kennebec River freezes, entombing a man in the ice, Martha Ballard is summoned to examine the body and determine cause of death. As a midwife and healer, she is privy to much of what goes on behind closed doors in Hallowell. Her diary is a record of every birth and death, crime and debacle that unfolds in the close-knit community.  Clever, layered, and subversive, Ariel Lawhon’s