Bob Hendrickson, IOHT

ISHPEMING — It’s quite the contrast to last summer at this time with virtually everything being cancelled or postponed. This summer is shaping up to be quite different.

As it appears the pandemic is starting to subside in our region and outdoor venues being the optimal place to start offering events again the GINCC has a list of things to do over the next several weeks.

The Negaunee Market opened this month and will run through September. The open-air market is located at Miner’s Park in Negaunee on the corner of U.S. 41 and Maas Street and runs from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesdays. The market offers goods from local vendors and is a great evening activity.

The Ishpeming Summer Concert Series kicked off on Thursday with the Roosevelt Project and the next band to play is the Flat Broke Blue Band. The concerts are every Thursday from 7-8 p.m. Bring you chair, order some takeout from a local restaurant and enjoy the evenings. The series runs until the end of August.

Also coming back to Ishpeming this summer is the Gus Macker 3-3 basketball tournament, June 25-27. Even though registration is now closed there will be plenty to do in downtown Ishpeming. Stop by check out the games, stroll through the downtown shops.

A little further to the west on Saturday, June 26 will be the annual Michigamme Township Artisans Market. This will be the first craft and art show for the summer. Local and regional crafters and artists will have their items for sale from 10am to 4pm.

On Sunday, June 27 the annual Car Show and Log Cabin Day will take place from noon-4 p.m. at the Michigamme Museum with registration at 11:30 a.m.

That brings us to the 4th of July. There was much uncertainty just a couple months ago on how this was going to play out or even happen. As of right now things are looking good and falling into place for a return to a “normal” celebration.

Ishpeming will be kicking things off with the Festival of Treasures on Friday, July 2 downtown. The following day on July 3 will be the traditional parade in the morning followed by the community picnic in the afternoon at Al Quaal Recreation Area. Fireworks will conclude the day. For more details go to www.ishpeming4th .com.

The following week will be the Pioneer Days in Negaunee. Activities will be a happening all throughout the week of July 5-10. The week will draw to a close on July 10 with fireworks display over Teal Lake. For more details go to www.negauneeirontown.org for a full schedule.

Volunteers are still need to make all these events happen again. Please consider giving a couple hours of your time where you can.

To learn more give us a call 906-486-1111. Our hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The office is located at 910 U.S. 41 West in front of Jubilee Foods & Fuel.

Editor’s note: Bob Hendrickson is the executive director of the GINCC. He currently resides in Negaunee with his wife, Laura, and daughter, Sierra. He enjoys mountain biking, skiing, fishing and hunting along with family time.