Good morning, Marquette.

Nominations for the Evergreen Award of Marquette County are open until Sept.

15—this award honors those who mentor, support and inspire women and girls. The winner and the Evergreen Scholarship Award recipient will be announced at a luncheon on Oct. 13.

Marquette opened a new accessible playground at Tourist Park yesterday—featuring flat pathways and poured-in-place safety surfacing funded with $45,000 from the DNR passport program after delays from grading issues and COVID—marking the start of a major project to add parking and event space at the park.

Tourist Park Campground unveiled a new accessible playground along the water on its north side after nearly 10 years of delays, funded by a $45,000 Michigan Recreation Passport Grant.

The city will add more parking and campsites and will remove older playground equipment soon — giving campers and residents a safer space to enjoy.

AAA and local law enforcement have urged drivers to be extra careful in school zones as students return to school.

A recent survey shows more than 60% of drivers pass through school zones daily and 46% speed, so drivers are told to avoid distractions, brake early and check for pedestrians—giving new drivers extra room on the road.

Lake Superior Community Partnership will host two free Business After Hours events—one on September 8 at the Holiday Inn in Marquette with Upper Peninsula Health Plan and one on September 17 at UPHS‐Marquette Hospital.

It will also hold a Breakfast and Business gathering on September 26 at the Mather Inn in Ishpeming focused on Outdoor Recreation that requires registration.

The Marquette Maritime Museum will present Ghosts of Lighthouse Point 2025 for three nights starting October 9 with a family-friendly tour from 7-9 p.m. and later tours from 7-10 p.m. on October 10-11—admission varies by age and a canned food donation is required, with the event benefiting the museum and the Northern Michigan University Food Bank.

Today at Marquette Senior High, students met their new mascot—designed as an ancient Spartan warrior—and the new principal Gavin Johnson during the first period assembly.

An advisory board of students and faculty will vote on a name later while the mascot will debut in varsity football on Friday when the team hosts Alpena.

The Marquette County Conservation District is partnering with UP Native Plants for a fall plant sale held outside its offices on Commerce Drive in Marquette Township this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Organizers said planting native perennials now gives them enough time to root before snow so gardens can bloom in spring.

The Marquette County Board heard concerns yesterday about the state plan to privatize prepaid inpatient health plans — a move that Pathways CEO Matt Maskart said risks local control and may cut mental health funding by up to $500 million — and the board is seeking updates from other U.P. counties before taking action.

Pigeon Hill Tap Night

6-9 p.m. — Stucko's Pub & Grill — Cost unknown — Celebrate great beer from Pigeon Hill Brewing while enjoying good company.

Live Music Night with Babe Report, 44Acres, and Bimbo

8-11 p.m. — Ore Dock Brewing Co. — $5 Cover — Experience a vibrant music night featuring local bands in a beloved brewery setting.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection

3-7 p.m. — Marquette County Solid Waste Management Authority — Free drop-off — Safely dispose of hazardous waste and contribute to environmental protection efforts.

Anna p.s. Concert at Drifa Brewing

6 PM – 12 AM — Drífa Brewing Company — $10 cover charge — Enjoy live Indie Folk music from Anna p.s. as they showcase their latest album.

The Go Rounds Live Concert

8 PM – 2 AM — Ore Dock Brewing Co. — $15 Student / $18 General Admission — Experience the mind-bending sounds of The Go Rounds blending indie, psych-pop, and twang-rock.

Blackrocks Oktoberfest Celebration

4 PM – 3 AM — 424 N 3rd St, Marquette, MI — Free entry — Celebrate Oktoberfest with German music, food vendors, and stein competitions while dressed in traditional attire.

Grateful Dead Tribute Sunday Funday

3-5 p.m. — Ore Dock Brewing Co. — $10 Admission — Enjoy a lively afternoon with Another One performing classic Grateful Dead tunes and great craft beer.

HA-HA-Harvest Fest

8-10:30 p.m. — Ore Dock Brewing Co. — $20 — Enjoy a night of laughter with headliner Adam Burke and feature Sonal Aggarwal at this comedy fest.

Queen City Trailblazers

5:00-5:45 p.m. — Forestville Trailhead and Tourist Park Campground Trailhead — Cost varies — Kids K-5th can learn trail running basics in this fun and safe program led by experienced coaches.

2025 Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education Conference

7:30 a.m. — Northern Center — $135 Members, $185 Non-Members — Dive into a weekend of environmental education amidst the stunning fall colors of Marquette.