MARQUETTE — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday announced Michigan has reached the next step in the Vacc to Normal plan in which capacity limits — as of Tuesday — were lifted for outdoor events and residential gatherings.

Additionally, indoor capacity limits will increase to 50%, allowing indoor social gatherings such as weddings and funerals to move closer to normalcy, officials said. Face masks will be required only for individuals who are not yet fully vaccinated indoors.

“Because so many Michiganders did their part and stepped up to get vaccinated, we are able to return to normal more quickly,” Whitmer said in a statement. “Our state is closer and closer to being back to normal. Now, Michiganders may celebrate safely with family and friends, with less worry of getting COVID-19.

“We have all been working hard for this moment for over the past year, and I am thankful for every Michigander who has gotten vaccinated to keep themselves, their family and our communities safe. Thanks to them, we can take these final steps towards a return to the normalcy and build our economy back stronger than ever.”

Whitmer encouraged people who haven’t been vaccinated to make an appointment to get a vaccine.

“This pandemic has been so difficult for so many Michiganders. We’ve made incredible sacrifices for the good of public health and the safety of our friends, family and communities,” Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist said in a statement. “This vaccine is helping our small businesses reopen their doors. It’s allowing our economy to come back stronger than ever and allows for a sense of normalcy to return for families across our state.

“I hope that this news is an added incentive for those on the fence about getting a vaccine. I will remain focused on encouraging every Michigander to make a vaccine appointment if they haven’t already. This is how we move forward, together.”

Beginning July 1, all broad epidemic orders will be lifted.

Blues Fest to return

The Marquette Area Blues Society announced on Tuesday that the Marquette Area Blues Fest will return this year at Mattson Lower Harbor Park.

Following the recent relaxing of COVID-19 restrictions by the state of Michigan, the MABS Board of Trustees unanimously voted to hold the event from Sept. 3-5, which will include the Free Friday Night community celebration along with the ticketed events on Saturday and Sunday.

“We are really excited to bring the Blues Fest back this year,” MABS President Mark Hamari said in a news release. “People are ready to get outside and hear great live music again, and we have heard from so many of our usual festival goers who can’t wait for it to happen. After the disappointment of having to cancel last year, it just feels good to say it’s going to be happening.”

The Marquette Area Blues Fest features blues performers on the main stage, artist workshops, a dance floor, several local food vendors and a fully stocked beverage tent featuring craft brews, seltzers and wines from Marquette.

A list of all this year’s performers will be released in the coming weeks along with ticket purchasing information, including area ticket outlets. For more information, visit the MABS Facebook page or its website at www.marquetteareabluessociety.com.

Italian Fest canceled

However, another area event, the Italian Fest in Ishpeming, has been canceled this year.

Organizers announced on Tuesday that during the May 23 membership meeting, they decided to cancel the dinner and picnic, which were scheduled for the weekend of July 23, after “careful consideration” and an “abundance” of caution.

“We considered the many safeguards (both by us and our vendors) that are necessary to ensure the full safety and well-being of the public and our members, and felt that a full resumption of our celebration this year would be premature as we continue to emerge from the pandemic,” the announcement read.

The March for Members will still be held following the Mass on July 25.

Organizers said they look forward to the next Italian Fest in July 2022.

Italian Fest typically is held at the Al Quaal Recreation Area.

Laminated COVID cards offered

Northern Michigan University’s Olson Library is offering area residents free laminated copies of their COVID-19 vaccination cards through Aug. 20.

The service has been available to students and employees since April, but is being extended to the community with support from a fund through the NMU Foundation.

“We want to help people feel more comfortable that their paper record has a copy that is protected against spills, tears and stains,” said Leslie Warren, dean of Library and Instructional Support, in a news release. “We will copy the card and laminate the copy free of charge. Since it is unknown how the vaccination cards will be used in the future, including whether booster shots will be needed, we are not offering to laminate the original card.”

Warren said lamination may take up to 15 minutes, depending on whether the equipment needs to warm up.

Patrons are welcome to leave the library after the copy is made, then come back later to retrieve it after it has been laminated.

The service is offered Monday through Friday during Olson Library’s open hours, which can be found at https://lib.nmu. edu/about/hours/. Olson Library is located inside Harden Hall. Parking is available in Lot 28, next to Harden Hall and Jamrich Hall.

Upper Peninsula residents aged 14 years or older are welcome to sign up for a Community Borrowing card when they visit, allowing them to borrow books and media from Olson Library. The $25 annual fee will be waived for anyone who signs up before Aug. 20.

Christie Mastric can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net