The weather hasn’t always cooperated, but in terms of events, it has been a lovely summer so far in Marquette County.

The good news is there is still much more to come.

Like this weekend’s Hiawatha Traditional Music Festival in Marquette’s Tourist Park. Musicians, artists and people of all ages will be gathering tonight through Sunday for a weekend of traditional music and arts, concerts, workshops and informal jam sessions organized by the Hiawatha Music Co-op.

It has been nearly four decades of great music and fun at Hiawatha. Generations of families have gone and continue to go to the park to enjoy the sounds of amazing musicians from near and far, to dance along, to learn at the workshops and to meet friends, old and new.

The main stage on Saturday and Sunday will feature the music from The Barley Jacks, John Gillette and Sarah Mittelfelhdt, Sones de Mexico, The Sweetwater Warblers, Pert Near Sandstone, The Cactus Blossoms, The Bucking Mules, Jayme Stone’s Folklife, Dan Newton and the Cafe Accordion Orchestra, and All Strings Considered.

Tonight’s dance starts at 6:30 p.m., featuring All Strings Considered, Dan Newton and the Cafe Accordion Orchestra and The Bucking Mules.

Small workshops will be presented throughout the weekend, taught by main stage performers as well as local and regional musicians. Hiawatha’s teens ages 13-17 can enjoy dance and workshop appearances by Chris Crown and Black Jake and the Carnies in what’s called the Teen Scene.

Both bands will be featured at the Saturday night “Teen-only” dance. Crafts and other activities designed for teens will also be featured.

This year something new is part of the weekend: a “Tween Tent” for youth ages 9-12 with activities and music just for them. The youngest festival-goers will enjoy a busy line-up in the Children’s Area, with child-friendly crafts and activities, including the return of Papa Crow, Lake Effect, Randy Kaplan, Luunappi, Ron and Jan Fowler and Frank Youngman.

A Sunday afternoon Children’s Parade with instruments made at the Children’s Area during the weekend, led by Frank Youngman, will be another highlight.

A release from the Hiawatha Music Co-op reports nearly 5,000 performers from around the globe have taken part in the festival so far. We’re grateful for every one.

We are thankful, too, for those who work diligently behind the scenes to bring Hiawatha to life each July. The planning for Hiawatha 2018 will start not long after the last notes of this year’s festival resonate through the beautiful Tourist Park woods.

The mission of HMC is “to promote, provide, educate, and inform the public and encourage participation in traditional forms of music, dance, and arts.” We hope the public supports those efforts throughout the coming year.

To learn more about the festival, visit the Hiawatha Music Co-op website at www.hiawathamusic.org. or call 906-226-8575.