Above, guests flooded into the Marquette Regional History Center Friday once doors opened for the second annual Blind Groundhog Craft Beer Sampling, a fundraiser for the Community Foundation of Marquette County. Below, Nick Nelson, left, and Justin Burford, both of Marquette, enjoy blind tastes of Founders Brewing Co. beers during the event. (Journal photos by Rachel Oakley)

By RACHEL OAKLEY

Journal Staff Writer

MARQUETTE — In the aftermath of the holidays there is a notable lack of festivities to enjoy, which is a problem the Community Foundation of Marquette County and the Marquette Regional History Center aim to fix with their annual Blind Groundhog Craft Beer Sampling fundraiser.

“It’s this time of the year, people are looking for some social activities,” said community foundation CEO Gail Anthony. “We needed an event and we wanted to do a beer tasting, and we looked at the calendar and we thought, ‘You know, nothing happens on Groundhog Day.’ So it’s our way of celebrating. We thought it would be a nice time to have an annual event.”

Anthony said the event invites local craft beer producers to come together, allowing participants to “sample their beer in one spot.”

The second annual Blind Groundhog was held Friday at the history center. It featured beers by Blackrocks Brewery, Cognition Brewing Company, Bell’s Brewery, Upper Hand Brewery, Ore Dock Brewing Company and Founders Brewing Co. Guests blind tasted beers from each producer, only knowing the brewery itself, with the brews remaining a mystery until they were revealed at the end of the night.

Lisa Jahnke, board trustee for the foundation, said she was particularly excited “that Blackrocks has offered to have a silent auction for ‘Name the Beer,’ and so people can name a beer whatever they want to name it.”

Guests were treated to the musical stylings of local musician Michael Waite as they enjoyed their libations.

Proceeds for the event go to the Marquette Area Fund, which distributes funding to nonprofits in the Marquette area. The foundation supports organizations like the Peter White Public Library, the history center and the YMCA, said Anthony.

Rachel Oakley can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 243. Her email address is roakley@miningjournal.net.