Celebrating the four seasons of Marquette County!

The people of Marquette County pride themselves on celebrating the uniqueness of its four seasons. From January through through December the area is blanketed with breathtaking scenery, wondrous wildlife and bountiful opportunities for outdoor activities you won't find anywhere else.

Champion Horse Pulling & Mud Drags

Workhorse competitions, mud drags and demolition derbies are the highlights of this annual three-day event that takes place during the last weekend of June.

Nearly 150 participants and some 5,000 spectators from across Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois converge for a weekend of fun ad excitement that includes food booths, refreshment stands, live entertainment, games and souvenirs. Grounds are located just off U.S. Highway 41 on Marquette County Road AI in Champion.

Moto-Cross Racing in Republic

Extreme sport enthusiasts head to Republic in July and August for the excitement of Moto-cross racing.

The American Motorcycle Association sanctioned races draw cyclists from all over the Midwest, their families and friends and a huge crowd of eager spectators. About 200 racers take to the moguls and jumps for an adrelin rush that is sure to thrill the fans in the stands too!

The easily accessibly track is located just of M-95.

Fourth of July Activities

Fun-filled parades, family picnics and fireworks at dusk could mean nothing more than the excitement of celebration the Fourth of July in Marquette County. No matter where you choose to enjoy the summertime holiday - Marquette, Big Bay, Gwinn, Ishpeming, Michigamme or Republic to name a few hot spots - the sounds and sites of summer fun are bountiful.

International Food Fest

Bring your appetite to this three-day festival held annually during the Fourth of July holiday at the Ellwood Mattson Lower Harbor Park, a two-acre park adjacent to downtown Marquette.

Food vendors offer ethnic dishes such as Mexican, German, Chinese, Greek and American entrees. Live music entertains the crowds daily at the bandstand. Sponsored by the Exchange Club.

Hiawatha Traditional Music Festival

For nearly 25 years, the Hiawatha Music Co-op has brought a weekend festival of traditional music to Marquette's Tourist Park in July. The festival of traditional music to Marquette's Tourist Park in July. The festival presents nationally known and regional performers offering a wide variety of music and dance including bluegrass, acoustic folks, Cajun, Celtic and blues in stage performances and informal workshops.

Hiawatha (www.hiawathamusic.org) also features extensive activities including crafts, music and fun for children and teens. Food vendors, art and craft sales, camping and a beach are all offered in a lovely campground setting. For more information visit www.hiawathamusic.org.

Art on the Rocks

There is no more picturesque setting for one of the nation's most popular juried art shows than Marquette's Presque Isle Park along the shore of Lake Superior. Art on the Rocks (www.artontherocks.org) has been named among the top 200 best in the nation by the Sunshine Artists Magazine.

For more than 40 years, the July show and sale has brought together over 150 artisans from across the United States and Canada. Submissions include ceramics, paintings, drawings, glass works, photography, wood workings, jewelry, basketry, metal works and more.

Outback Art Fair

A non-juried art show and sale set among the trees and Lake Superior shoreline at Picnic Rocks Park in Marquette, the Outback Art Fair includes 80 to 100 displays of jewelry, pottery, paintings, fibers and photography. The late July fair features the work of many Upper Peninsula artists.

Superior Bike Fest

The Superior Bike Fest in June and the Ore to Shore Mountain Bike Epic in August offer bikers of all abilities the opportunity to pedal through the tantalizing terrain and wilderness trails of Marquette County.

The Superior Bike Fest (www.superiorbikefest.com) offers a full weekend of road racing and mountain bike competition. A 25 mile, 55 mile and 80 mile road race takes bicyclists up and around a paved loop. An 8 and 25 mile mountain chase cross country race is point to point. There will also be slaloms, downhill, hill climb, and obstacle course at Marquette Mountain.

Subaru Ore to Shore Mountain Bike Epic

The Subaru Ore to Shore Mountain Bike Epic (www.oretoshore.com) is the state's largest mass start mountain bike race. A 25 mile and 48 mile point-to-point trails brings racers through some of the most beautiful terrain in Upper Michigan. Both races begin in historic Negaunee and end pedal strokes away from the Lake Superior shoreline. These courses traverse rolling wooded hills passing by lakes, rivers, ponds and wildlife toward the indoor finish at Marquette's Lakeview Arena.

Ishpeming Art Faire and Renaissance Festival

Join the excitement as Ishpeming's Lake Bancroft Park is turned into a courtyard for kings, queens, jesters and knights from medieval times in an Art Faire and Renaissance Festival.

Held in early August, artists, crafters, merchants, food vendors, musicians, actors and spectators gather for a summertime festival that echoes 16th century Italy.

The Ishpeming Rock & Mineral Club hosts their annual Show/Sale/Swap across the street at the Ishpeming Elks Lodge the same weekend!

U.P. Christian Music Fest

A nondenominational uplifting music festival usually held in early August at Mattson's Lower Harbor Park in Marquette. For more information visit www.upchristianmusicfest.com.

Seafood Fest

Held in August, Marquette's annual Seafood Fest is a weekend full of family fun and great seafood. The Lower Harbor Park along the shore of Lake Superior becomes a market for grilled, baked, steamed and fried seafood.

The three day event, sponsored by Marquette Rotary West, features live entertainment, children's activities, a classic car show and more.

Marquette Kennel Club Dog Show

Witness some of the nation's finest bred dogs at the annual dog show held in late summer. The event takes place at Marquette's Lakeview Arena and is sponsored by the Marquette Kennel Club.

Northern Michigan University Homecoming

Homecoming weekend at Northern Michigan University is a time-honored tradition started in the early 1900s. Events center around the traditional homecoming football game. Tailgate at the Superior Dome and enjoy the traditional homecoming parade, family activities and alumni awards. For more information visit www.nmu.edu or call the alumni relations office at NMU 906-227-2610.

Michigamme's Fall Festival and Scarecrow Contest

Held in October, Michigamme's Fall Festival and Scarecrow Contest is an opportunity to enjoy autumn in Marquette County.

Organizations and individuals get creative building scarecrows for prizes. Shop owners and visitors may cast votes for their favorites. Creations of all kinds from the scariest to the goofiest will entertain festival visitors. Other activities include pumpkin decorating and face painting for the kids and seasonal treats.

Ringing in the Christmas Season

A whole host of community celebrations kick off Marquette County's month-long Christmas season. Christmas parades, tree lighting ceremonies and visits from Santa Claus are among the quaint ways Marquette County rings in the holiday season.

Downtown Marquette becomes the city of lights. Intricate white lights illuminate the parameters of historic brick buildings. Historic downtown Ishpeming plays host to a Christmas parade.

In Michigamme, Luminaria Night is a special celebration when more than 1,500 luminaries line the streets of seasonal specialty shops. Unique gifts and homemade treats, horse-drawn sleigh rides and Christmas carols help get families in the spirit of the season.

A unique celebration in Gwinn is Santa's countdown to lighting the town tree and a long path of community decorated trees in Peter Nordeen Park.