Central UP Events

Bright Beginnings: A Community Celebration at the Marquette Commons Saturday, January 4th from 6:00–7:00 PM The City of Marquette, in partnership with the Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum, invites the community to join in celebrating the arrival of the new year at Bright Beginnings, a free and festive event at the Marquette Commons on Saturday, January 4th from 6:00–7:00 PM. This family-friendly event will feature a variety of activities designed to spark joy and community spirit: *   Discover Oscillation, an interactive public artwork that responds to your movements with colors and sounds, on display through January 5th. *   Warm

Marquette City Manager Karen Kovacs will hold her next community office hours on Wednesday, January 8 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Shiras Room, on the top level of Peter White Public Library (Front Street side). The meeting is intended to provide an informal opportunity to discuss issues within the community, and to give citizens the opportunity for direct dialogue with City staff about interests and concerns.

 The League of Women Voters of Marquette County will hold its membership meeting on Wednesday, January 8th at 6:45 p.m. The meeting will be held in Studio 1, lower level of the Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front, St. Marquette. Social time begins at 6:30 p.m. Marquette County residents are welcome to attend. For more information, send an email message to lwvmqtco@gmail.com. The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

Silver Creek Church and Silver Creek Thrift are partnering with Feeding America West Michigan to host the first Feeding America Mobile Food Pantry of 2025. Taking place on Thursday, January 9 Food distribution will begin at 10:00am and continue while supplies last or until 11:30am. Food will be available for approximately 550 families. Due to changes with Feeding America West Michigan, proxy pickup will be limited. This will be a drive-thru event with directions given by parking lot attendants. Guests are asked to remain in their cars and have adequate space prepared in their trunk or back seat in advance

Princesses and Pirates Join us for our Second Thursday Creativity Series at the Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum:”Princesses and Pirates”Thursday, January 9, 2025Experience hands-on craft activities, and FREE Culver’s Frozen Custard. FREE to participate.

  Northern Michigan University’s CO/LAB Dance Company will present Alice in Wonderland: An Immersive Experience, described as a “mesmerizing whirlwind of color and movement that weaves through the audience like a living, breathing dreamscape.” The performance is unique in that it will take place in an intimate downtown Marquette space that allows the audience to be more actively engaged, interacting with the dancers and scenery elements. “Immersive theater experiences are the next big thing,” said CO/LAB Artistic Director Karina Johnson. “They’re taking over New York City, L.A. and many other places across the country. I believe we might be one of the

Trail Talk: Join us on January 16th! The next general membership meeting of the Marquette Area Chapter of the North Country Trail will be January 16, Thursday, at 6 p.m. in the Community Room (downstairs) at Peter White Public Library. We will be hosting a roundtable discussion with area trail leaders, featuring representatives from RAMBA (Range Area Mountain Bike Association), Iron Ore Heritage Trail, Friends of Harlow Lake, Noquemanon Trail Network, and our own North Country Trail. This will be an informative evening where you can learn about the diverse trail networks in our area, hear from passionate trail advocates

The Marquette Area Chapter of the North Country Trail Association will host a roundtable discussion with leaders representing area trails at its next general membership meeting, which is open to the public, at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, in the community room at Peter White Public Library. Representatives of RAMBA (Range Area Mountain Bike Association), the Iron Ore Heritage Trail, Friends of Harlow Lake, the Noquemanon Trail Network and the North Country Trail will participate. Attendees will learn about the diverse trail networks in our area, hear from passionate trail advocates and explore volunteer opportunities to get involved. The meeting

138TH ANNUAL ISHPEMING SKI CLUB SKI JUMPING TOURNAMENT Negaunee, Michigan – Launch into winter action by attending the longest-running, consecutive ski jumping tournament in the country! Ishpeming Ski Club Ski Jumping Tournament, held at the UP Nordic Ski Complex, January 17th-19th, 2024. FRIDAY – JANUARY 17, 2025 137th Annual Ishpeming Ski Club Ski Jumping Tournament/USA Nordic U.S. Cup: The Tournament weekend kicks off on Friday evening with the 137th Annual Ishpeming Ski Club Ski Jumping Tournament/USA Nordic U.S. Cup event on famous Suicide Hill. Watch elite U.S. ski jumpers soar high through the air as you stand by the huge

The Upper Peninsula Animal Welfare Shelter is excited to announce Raise the Woof, a comedy night fundraiser to support homeless pets in the community. Taking place on Friday, January 17, 2025, at River Rock Lanes & Banquet Center in Ishpeming, the event promises a night of laughter and fun for a great cause. “We are thrilled to bring the community together for a night of comedy and fundraising to support our mission of providing care and shelter for animals in need,” said Nic Conroy, Fundraising Coordinator for the Upper Peninsula Animal Welfare Shelter. – Date: Friday, January 17, 2025 –

138TH ANNUAL ISHPEMING SKI CLUB SKI JUMPING TOURNAMENT Negaunee, Michigan – Launch into winter action by attending the longest-running, consecutive ski jumping tournament in the country! Ishpeming Ski Club Ski Jumping Tournament, held at the UP Nordic Ski Complex, January 17th-19th, 2024. FRIDAY – JANUARY 17, 2025 137th Annual Ishpeming Ski Club Ski Jumping Tournament/USA Nordic U.S. Cup: The Tournament weekend kicks off on Friday evening with the 137th Annual Ishpeming Ski Club Ski Jumping Tournament/USA Nordic U.S. Cup event on famous Suicide Hill. Watch elite U.S. ski jumpers soar high through the air as you stand by the huge

138TH ANNUAL ISHPEMING SKI CLUB SKI JUMPING TOURNAMENT Negaunee, Michigan – Launch into winter action by attending the longest-running, consecutive ski jumping tournament in the country! Ishpeming Ski Club Ski Jumping Tournament, held at the UP Nordic Ski Complex, January 17th-19th, 2024. FRIDAY – JANUARY 17, 2025 137th Annual Ishpeming Ski Club Ski Jumping Tournament/USA Nordic U.S. Cup: The Tournament weekend kicks off on Friday evening with the 137th Annual Ishpeming Ski Club Ski Jumping Tournament/USA Nordic U.S. Cup event on famous Suicide Hill. Watch elite U.S. ski jumpers soar high through the air as you stand by the huge

Dungeons and Dragons @ PWPL  Tuesday, January 21, 2025. 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.  Peter White Public Library Community Room. We have partnered up with Iron Golem Games to bring Dungeon and Dragons to the PWPL.  Jordan, from Iron Golem Games and local DM’s, will lead groups of teens on an epic quest with this role-playing game.  For students in grades 6-12.  Registration is required, no admission charge. For more information and to check the status of this program, call 906-226-4321, email Amanda at apierce@pwpl.info or visit www.pwpl.info.

PWPL Board of Trustees Meeting  Tuesday, January 21, 2025. 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Peter White Public Library, Shiras Room. Regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Peter White Public Library. The meeting is open to all.  Meeting agenda, materials, and remote attendance link are available on the library’s website: www.pwpl.info.

Words & Music for Hope  Tuesday, January 21, 2025, 6:30 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.  Peter White Public Library Community Room.  Adults, Seniors, Teens, Family Friendly.  Even in the darkest of times, there is hope.  Join local poets and musicians for an evening of poems and songs to inspire hope and joy.  Scheduled readers and performers include:  Brian Wallen, Dylan Trost, Troy Graham, Beverly Matherne, Marty Achatz, Cloverland, Josh Brindle, and many more.  No admission charge.  For more information, contact Marty at 906-226-4322, machatz@pwpl.info, or visit www.pwpl.info.