After a long and hard winter – the longest and hardest the Upper Peninsula has endured in over 30 years – many Yoopers may be questioning why exactly they live here.

Why trudge through snow for seemingly more months than sun? Why spend more time in a snowsuit than a bathing suit? Why, when the weather finally does get nice like it has recently, are the bugs so bad it makes them think twice before they venture outside.

Well, the upcoming first-ever Marquette Trails Festival is one of many reasons. Yoopers young and old love to take part in traditional U.P. activities like bonfires, riding bikes, making s’mores and just being outside.

The festival seems to us like the perfect time to celebrate life in the U.P. The North Country Trail Hikers have partnered with the Noquemanon Trails Network for National Trails Day weekend, June 6-8.

The weekend kicks off with a family hike and bonfire at 6:30 Friday night at Marquette Mountain before the hikes and bikes hit the trails Saturday and Sunday.

Hikes start at 1 p.m. Saturday at Tourist Park’s trailhead where participants can take in the wilderness and the outstanding views of Lake Superior.

Mountain bikes will start with cross-country races at 9 a.m. Saturday and will continue with events including a trail tour, downhill event and a 7 p.m. party at Marquette Mountain.

Sunday provides a full day with the Twin Peaks Half Marathon, a 5K trail run, a 1.5-mile kids race and the noon enduro. All events start at the south trailhead.

These events, we think, will help Yoopers remember some of the things that keep them here in the U.P.

People can register for the NTN events at marquettetrailsfest.com.