Michigan's Upper Peninsula Calendar of Events

Bring your snowshoes and join the fun with a walk every Wednesday evening starting at 6:00pm. Each week is a different spot to come out and enjoy an evening to snowshoe. Here is the schedule: January 18th - Gogebic Country Club, January 25th - Shamburg Park, February 1st - Powderhorn Mt., February 8th - Rigoni's Inn, February 15th - Manny's, February 22nd Bessemer to be announced, February 29th - Michigan Information Center, March 7th - Alpine Inn, March 14th - Wolverine Ski Trails. Potluck cook out with bond fire. For more info call Sam @ 906-932-2020 or Hobby Wheel @ 906-932-3332.

The John Dee Snowfest 2012 will tentatively be held on the Keweenaw Peninsula Friday, February 3rd & Saturday, February 4th. The event includes guided backcountry snowmobile rides, a poker run, a raffle/silent auction, a banquet and live entertainment.

Saturday, February 4 Guided Snowshoe Hike at 3:00pm. One-mile Lantern Lit Ski & Snowshoe Trail from 6:00-8:00pm (headlamp/flashlight recommended). Free Snowshoe rental from 1-8pm. Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Upper Falls.

Snowmobile Radar Run on Lake Gogebic at the Gogebic Lodge on the West Shore of the lake. Registration 8am-11am(ct)
Entry fee $25 includes 4 runs & T-shirt (additional runs $3.00.
Trophies for 1st, 2nd & 3rd place. Stock & Mod Classes. Food & beer tent. For early registration or more info call Kent 906-842-3324 or e-mail kentmcd454@gmail.com

A fun event for people of all ages during this year’s Icefest is the Cardboard Classic Sled Race at 12:00 pm (registration prior) behind the American Legion. This event is a competition to build your own cardboard sled and race it down a hill. Also following the Cardboard Classic at 2 pm is the 5k Snowshoe Relay (registration prior). For both events there will be prizes for every category. During the afternoon there will be children's activities and games inside the American Legion along with food, beverages. We will also be providing a free shuttle to the Michigan Ice Fest climbing event throughout the afternoon.

Get out of your living room and join us and other community members at the Refuge Visitor Center for a series of free films. Better yet....come to the Refuge early to go for a ski or snowshoe outing and then warm up with a cup of hot chocolate or coffee and a good movie. The Seney Natural History association will provide the hot chocolate and cookies, please bring your own mug.

Feb. 7:

Great Migrations: The Science of Great Migrations

Lake Invaders: The Fight for Lake Huron

Events include the famous snow statues, sporting events, the queen contest, a torch light parade, fireworks, the Sno-Ball and more.

Mu Beta Psi is hosting a concert to raise funds for our annual scholarship. Lindsey Whitfield kicks it off from 8-9 with hits from Colbie Caillat and other current artists. Then the Backroom Boys (previously the Uptown Swingsters) will get you moving and grooving to swing classics from 9:15-10:15. Gary Tunstall will bring us to a close from 10:30 until we all drop, or until 1 AM hits.
$5 donation at the door please. All ages are welcome.

Food and Fun in Grand Marais - Snowmobile and Snowshoe Poker Runs, Chili Cook-off, Cardboard Sled Competition and more!

Is cabin fever setting in? We've got just the cure for you. Join us for the First Annual Cabin Fever Dance at the Erickson Center in Curtis on Saturday, February 11th from 7:00-11:00 p.m. Dance those blues away to the tunes of Evergreen Seven, a favorite Munising band. $10 admission at the door. A cash bar will be available.

One-mile Lantern Lit Ski & Snowshoe Trail from 6:00-8:00pm (headlamp/flashlight recommended). Free Snowshoe rental from 1-8pm. Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Upper Falls.

The 21st Annual Greenlight Resort Ice Fishing Derby will tentatively be held on Saturday, February 11 on Chassell Bay off US-41 in Chassell.

Come join the fun as teams compete against each other in our UP Snow Softball Tournament! Teams of 9-12 players will battle the elements as they vie for top honors. We give new meaning to the phrase 'sliding into home plate'! Teams from across Michigan gather in St. Ignace to compete for bragging rights. Between games you can sit back, relax and enjoy the view of Mackinac Island from the sidelines of the playing field.
For more information and a registration form, click on the link above.

Get out of your living room and join us and other community members at the Refuge Visitor Center for a series of free films. Better yet....come to the Refuge early to go for a ski or snowshoe outing and then warm up with a cup of hot chocolate or coffee and a good movie. The Seney Natural History association will provide the hot chocolate and cookies, please bring your own mug.
Great Migrations: Race to Survive
Division Street

The Michigan Tech Theatre Company will be performing John Cariani's Almost, Maine at the McArdle Theatre on the Michigan Tech campus in Houghton at 7:30 pm on Thursday, February 16 through Saturday, February 18. With the solar wind electrifying the night sky, the residents of Almost, Maine experience mysterious life changing events, falling in and out of love and in again in this poignant and funny exploration of personal epiphany on a deep and snowy midwinter's night.

The UP200 race is one of the premier lower 48 states sled dog race qualifier for the Iditrod. Race starts in downtown Marquette, MI and travels to Munising, Grand Marais and back into downtown Marquette, MI on Sunday. Racers travel over 200 miles, and has numerous spectator opportunities. The Midnight Run race starts in downtown Marquette and travels to Munising, MI. Both events are hightlighted with awards banquets, and opportunities to purchase logowear.

Annual Show featuring the Polar snowmobile's 50th anniversary
Friday, Feb 17 begins with Breakfast, 8:00am, & Ride, 10am 4:00pm Meal and get-together, Naubinway Pavilion
Sat. Feb 18 10am-3pm Snowmobiles on display
4:30-7pm Banquet, Drawings, Auction, Engadine Town Hall.

Join us in St. Ignace, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, home of one of the largest pond hockey tournaments in North America, and the largest tournament in Michigan.
The Labatt Blue UP Pond Hockey Championship is played on the wild ice of Moran Bay, part of Lake Huron. Our pond hockey tournament is the only one where the 'pond' is actually one of the Great Lakes!
155 seven-person teams from seven states and Canada participated in our 2011 tournament, and we expect even more in 2012! We have several age & skill divisions, so your team can compete against others of the same skill level.
Format of the games is: 4 on 4 hockey with NO GOALIES on twenty-seven 75 'x 150' outside rinks with snow bank boards played on the 'wild ice' of Lake Huron, overlooking Mackinac Island.
Teams are guaranteed three games, and division winners will receive Labatt's sportsgear and a hardwood championship cup.
For more information, please click on the link above.

Curtis stocked fish coop Ice Fishing, Games for all ages, Chainsaw artist James Denkins, kids mini sled challenge, Ice Skating Rink, Turkey bowling, Great Northern Chili Cookoff, hayrides, children's art project inside the Erickson Center and much, much more! Great Family outdoor event. Come join us!

Ann Arbor songwriter, storyteller and musician Kitty Donohoe will appear at the Erickson Center for the Arts in Curtis on Saturday, February 18, 2012.
As an Emmy-winning songwriter she’s currently working on her fifth recording project. In 1987 Ms. Donohoe wrote a collection of songs about Michigan called ‘Bunyan and Banjoes’ to commemorate the state’s 150th birthday.
When performing these songs she accompanies herself with traditional instruments such as guitar, banjo, and mountain and hammered dulcimers.
The Michigan Humanities Council and Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs have partially funded her performances through the Michigan Humanities Touring Program. Performances will be at 12:00, 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00.

Tahquamenon Snowshoe Race, Upper Tahquamenon Falls. 5K, 10K, 20K and 800 meter Kids Snowshoe races. Many age groups with awards to the top three in each age group for each race.

Guided Snowshoe Hike at 3:00pm. One-mile Lantern Lit Ski & Snowshoe Trail from 6:00-8:00pm (headlamp/flashlight recommended). Free Snowshoe rental from 1-8pm.

This great family fun event will include distances of 1k, 5k, 10k, plus a Bunny Run for children 8 and under. Registration Fees before February 1st are $25.00 for adults, $20.00 for students, and $3.00 for children 8 yrs and under. After February 1st, Registration is $30 for adults, $25 for students and $5 for children 8yrs and under.

The World Ice & Snow Sailing Championships (WISSA) are coming to St. Ignace, Michigan! This International event is being hosted in the USA for the first time in over 17 years!
WISSA is the ONLY world event where wings, kites and sails all compete together on snow or ice, slalom and course. The frozen ice of Lake Huron will be home to these ice racers, and we can watch as they make practice runs and compete against their peers!
The WISSA championship is the longest running international competition in the history of windsurfing, and is the most prestigious winter sailing event in the world. Held every year since 1980, the event location alternates annually between Europe and North America.
The best athletes in this thrilling adventure sport will meet for an entire week. In addition to racing, champions and beginners alike will be able to interact in a variety of WISSA activities. Visit the website listed for more info on this upcoming event!

Get out of your living room and join us and other community members at the Refuge Visitor Center for a series of free films. Better yet....come to the Refuge early to go for a ski or snowshoe outing and then warm up with a cup of hot chocolate or coffee and a good movie. The Seney Natural History association will provide the hot chocolate and cookies, please bring your own mug.
Feb. 21:
Forever Wild: Celebrating Americas Wilderness
Elsa's Legacy

Great Lakes Antique Snowmobile Series, Newberry One Lunger 200, Snowmobile Race, Tahquamenon Motor Sports Track, Newberry, MI. Snowmobile race for 1980 and earlier chassis on a ¾ mile track. Qualifying on Friday from 9:00-3:00. Friday afternoon kid’s race- 3:00pm- with 2 age divisions. Saturday race starts at 10:00am. Admission- $8.00.

Guided Snowshoe Hike at 3:00pm. One-mile Lantern Lit Ski & Snowshoe Trail from 6:00-8:00pm (headlamp/flashlight recommended). Free Snowshoe rental from 1-8pm. Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Upper Falls, M-123 north of Newberry.

Millecoquin Lake Winter Carnival, 8:00am-4:00pm, Hiawatha Club Recreation Building, SE corner of Lake Millecoquin. Concessions, games, skating, Poker Run, Snowmobile Radar Run, Predator Hunt, Fishing Contest, Dog Sled rides, Chili Cook-Off, Family games.

6Th Annual Snow-Man Winter Duathlon will be held at Valley Spur Cross Country Ski Trails in Munising, MI on 2/25/12. Same day registration is at Valley Spur Lodge at 8:00 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. Registration fee: $20. Individual; $30. Team; $10. 18 and under; $15.00 18 under team. Race Starts at 10:00 a.m. Participants can compete as individuals or in a 2 person team. Participants will ski 8 K classic style and 3 k snow shoe. Novelty Awards will be awarded to 1st, 2nd & 3rd place male and female individuals and 1st place Teams of either male/female/co-ed. Lunch will be served in the loge after the race. Proceeds will benefit The Friends of Valley Spur Kids Ski Program to purchase skis for the program. For more information contact www.valeyspur.org

8.67 mile ski, snowshoe and "anything" (must be human powered) races. Choose 1 race or complete the Marathon of all 3 fo4r a chance at the Tri Winter Cup.

Try your skills at the newly revamped "Tri Winter Cup" in Copper Harbor!
Three races are held on Saturday, February 25. Registration starts at 8 am for the first ski race, and half an hour before each of the following races. The events include:
9 am Ski Race - an 8+ mile loop in the backcountry on freshly skinned trails.
12 pm Snowshoe Race - the same 8+ mile loop panked down for snowshoers.
3 pm Anything Race - the 8+ mile loop to ride your snow bike, new human-powered invention or repeat your snowshoes and skis.
If you participate in all three races, you have not only completed a marathon in the snow, you have entered the Tri Winter Cup! Male and female prizes are awarded for the Cup and each individual race. Racers may choose to do one, two or all three races. Race fee includes one to three races.
All day we will be serving hearty soup, snacks and hot beverages in the Community Building. Once the last race ends, we will head to the Mariner North for awards, dinner and live music.
Plan to stay the night because we are offering FREE guided back country ski tours Sunday morning for all participants and their families.
For more information visit this website or contact Amanda at 906-289-4788 or E-mail Amanda.

Get out of your living room and join us and other community members at the Refuge Visitor Center for a series of free films. Better yet....come to the Refuge early to go for a ski or snowshoe outing and then warm up with a cup of hot chocolate or coffee and a good movie. The Seney Natural History association will provide the hot chocolate and cookies, please bring your own mug.
Feb. 28
A Simple Question: The Story of STRAW
Animal House