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Keweenaw's Explorer Blog

June 2025 | Industry Newsletter

The Keweenaw’s visitor economy plays a vital role in our region’s quality of life and future prosperity. To keep local leaders and stakeholders current on issues impacting the industry, Visit Keweenaw created this monthly newsletter to share information on topics such as economic trends, destination and community investments, and other pertinent news.

We hope you find this a valuable resource to stay up to date on the Keweenaw’s visitor economy and encourage you to share it with parties you think would benefit from the information. As always, we look forward to sharing what makes the Keweenaw a special community to both live in and visit.

Within this newsletter, you'll find: 

 

A Note from the Executive Director

Summer is here, and the Keweenaw is ready to welcome visitors to the Copper Country! As visitors arrive to explore our trails, beaches, towns, and starry skies, we’re reminded just how vital tourism is to our community. Each trip taken to the Keweenaw helps support our local shops, restaurants, lodging providers, and cultural sites—driving economic growth and sustaining the vibrant quality of life we all enjoy.

At Visit Keweenaw, we’re excited to help share our region’s story with new and returning guests this season. Whether it's a family on their first Lake Superior adventure or a solo traveler chasing the northern lights, their experience starts with the people and places that make this community special.

We’re also proud to have played a role in a very successful Juhannus Midsummer Festival earlier this month which kicked off the official start of summer while celebrating the area’s unique Finnish-American heritage. The excellent media coverage and fantastic turnout definitely set the bar for future editions. From roaring bonfires to traditional Finnish dancing, it was a very festive weekend!

And to cap off the month of June, the City of Hancock was officially designated the 2026 Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture. This honor recognizes the incredible work community members have done to preserve and celebrate the area’s Finnish-American heritage but also positions the region as a cultural tourism destination. The Visit Keweenaw team is excited to work with community partners to maximize this recognition and plan some amazing events for the year to come.

Here’s to a busy, bright, and unforgettable summer!

 

people fill an outdoor seating area

The Quincy Green was busy all Juhannus with festivities and cold drinks!

 

Juhannus Makes a Splash in Hancock

The inaugural weekend of the Juhannus Summer Solstice Celebration was a whopping success in the City of Hancock. With a beginning sponsorship from Long Drink, Visit Keweenaw coordinated with the city and other partners to pull off a three day festival on the north side of the Portage Canal.

Happy faces filled new spaces in a high-energy event blending tradition and modern flair. Visit Keweenaw coordinated festival logistics and worked closely with Copper Country Finns and Friends to make sure the festival was rich in culture.

Friday night’s celebration kicked off with a Long Drink Party at Small Craft at Porvoo Park. At 7:15 – the Juhannuskokko (midsummer bonfire) was lit, creating a blazing spectacle for attendees. Rewind finished the night with great music sending folks home on the longest day of the year. Saturday’s festivities began outside the Finnish American Heritage Center with a traditional midsummer pole raising and Finnish dancing.

The Long Drink Beer Garden opened at 1 p.m. – drawing in folks to watch music, play games and enjoy the midsummer sunshine! The Wife Carrying Contest became a highlight of the day, bringing 15 teams to compete. The Quincy Green swelled with energy through the day and reinforced that Hancock can put on an incredible show in town.

The weekend resulted in huge recognition for all the work Visit Keweenaw, City of Hancock and the Finnish American Heritage Center have been putting into cultural programming and marketing Hancock as a destination for tourism. The planning crew was able to raise $10,000 for Copper Country Finns and Friends, which will help support cultural activities and local events for the group.

 

Hancock Gains First Finno-Ugric Designation in America

Fresh off a festive Juhannus celebration, Hancock has received a historic international honor—becoming the first U.S. city ever named a Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture!

Awarded annually to communities that preserve and promote Finno-Ugric culture, this designation recognizes Hancock’s rich Finnish-American heritage and commitment to celebrating its roots through festivals like Heikinpäivä and community institutions like the Finnish American Heritage Center.

In 2026, Hancock will host cultural exchanges, performances, and special events that spotlight ties between Finno-Ugric peoples across the globe—from Europe to the Keweenaw. It’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity to share our story and connect with kindred cultures.

Learn more: Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture

 

Destination Development Award Contracts Complete

Each year, Visit Keweenaw invests nearly $100,000 in destination development projects across Houghton and Keweenaw Counties. These initiatives vary in scope, but often include improvements like new bridges, interpretive signage, and the creation of new experiences that benefit both visitors and locals. The fund is supported by a room night assessment paid by local lodging establishments in both counties.

This year, awards were distributed as follows:

  • Hancock Trails Club - $25,000 - Maasto Hiitho System Trailhead and Skills Park
  • Keweenaw Snowmobile & Keweenaw ATV Club - $20,000 - Calumet Trailhead Project
  • Keweenaw Land Trust - $15,700 - Jacob's Falls and Boston Creek Improvements and Signage
  • City of Hancock - $15,300 - Christmas Lights Display at Hancock Campground
  • Swedetown Trails Club - $15,000 - Phase II Trail Bonding for Two Hoots Trail
  • Finlandia Foundation National - $5,000 - Finnish-American Heritage Trail Project
  • Keweenaw County Road Commission - $4,000 - Roadside Park Tables 

Congratulations to the organizations who received Destination Development Awards in 2025 from Visit Keweenaw. We look forward to seeing the projects unfold and know they will improve the Keweenaw experience for both visitors and locals alike.

 

a room is full of seated people attentively listening to a speaker in front of a large projection screen

The evening brought together many local organizations to network, learn, and celebrate the Keweenaw.

 

Visit Keweenaw Hosts Annual Member Meeting

Visit Keweenaw hosted a full house of community partners and lodging members on June 10 to have its annual membership meeting. Taking place at the Rozsa with the band Fast Car – it was a spectacle of a night. Keweenaw Coffee Works provided an incredible spread, and all of the best minds in tourism gathered for the evening. Executive Director Brad Barnett delivered remarks on the past year of Keweenaw travel, and provided an outlook of what’s ahead.

The annual meeting rallies the Keweenaw membership, sharing the latest tourism trends and giving properties a chance to mix and mingle. At the end, awards were given to Takka Saunas Portage for Project of the year, and a lifetime achievement award was given to Jim Kurtti.

 

reporters film inside a coffee roasteryKeweenaw Coffee Works hosts the media inside the roastery.

 

Media on Main in Calumet

Visit Keweenaw hosted a local media tour of Calumet the first weekend of June to highlight various updates in tourism, community development and summer programming at attractions. It was the first time Visit Keweenaw had set up a full media day for local reporters press conference style. 

Sometimes it can be hard for Marquette stations to justify the trip if there aren't multiple stories to collect at a time. Planning a whole day resulted in multiple stories coming out throughout June on Calumet. Media members and community partners agreed it was an excellent opportunity for coverage and relationship building. 

Starting at 9 a.m. – four local outlets (and one state-wide) visited the Keweenaw National Historical Park, Keweenaw Coffee Works, businesses and new housing/development projects along 5th Street. They also saw Visit Keweenaw projects like the Swedetown accessibility trail and the Laurium Manor Inn. Dinner was served to the media at the Observatory Lounge, rounding out the day covering food & beverage and all things to do in the Keweenaw this summer.

Visit Keweenaw thanks the Calumet community for its hospitality during the first-ever Media on Main.

 

Big Congratulations to Jen & Jon Julien!

Jen and Jon Julien, the dynamic duo behind Braveworks, Inc. — and key developers of some of our region’s most exciting hotels and revitalized spaces — have been named EY’s 2025 Entrepreneurs of the Year for Michigan and Northwest Ohio!

This national recognition honors their bold vision, community investment, and the incredible impact they’ve had throughout Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. From salons to hotels, restaurants, manufacturing, and more — their work is helping reshape and reenergize the Keweenaw.

“We are incredibly honored to be named EY Entrepreneurs of the Year. This recognition reflects the passion, resilience, and vision that have driven our journey — from opening a hair salon to building hotels, apartments, restaurants, and construction and manufacturing operations across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. We’re proud of the impact our businesses have had in our community, creating jobs and breathing new life into historic downtowns. Most of all, we’re grateful for the team of people who believe in our mission and help bring it to life every day.”

— Jen & Jon Julien, Co-Founders, Braveworks

We’re proud to call them local leaders. Congrats, Jen & Jon! 👏

 

July Fourth Celebrations in the Keweenaw

Celebrate Independence Day Keweenaw-style! From Copper Harbor’s new drone show to Mount Bohemia’s pool party, the region is packed with festive fun. Highlights include street parades, live music, BBQs, community picnics, and fireworks in nearly every community. Whether you’re chasing small-town charm or scenic splendor, you’ll find unforgettable Fourth of July vibes all across the Keweenaw.

Check out Copper Harbor’s New Drone Show: Fireworks won’t be firing off in Copper Harbor this year. Instead – a first-time drone show will take place over the harbor. Pick a spot along the docks and bring a snack!

Mount Bohemia Ski Resort is hosting the largest outdoor hot tub party in Upper Michigan! Come hang out at the Nordic Spa for free hot dogs and ice cream from noon to 4 p.m.

See the full lineup of Keweenaw Fourth of July Celebrations here.

 

four people circle around a work in progress under the dome of a historic theater stage

A chandelier in progress - head to the Calumet Theatre to see it post-unveiling! (Credit: Calumet Theatre)

 

Calumet Theatre Chandelier Unveiling & Projection Room Restoration

After more than a century, the Calumet Theatre has replaced its chandelier – bringing light into the auditorium after the original was lost in a 1918 fire. The idea began with local resident Jim Enrietti and grew into a full community effort supported by donors, volunteers, and local businesses.

While no photos of the original exist, the replacement was designed using period-appropriate materials and installed with a custom lifting system. It’s now on display, bringing light—literally and symbolically—back to one of the Upper Peninsula’s most cherished landmarks.

Guided tours of the theatre are available throughout the week, and visitors are encouraged to stop in and see the chandelier for themselves.

 

UP History Conference Comes to Houghton

The Upper Peninsula History Conference took place at Michigan Technological University over the weekend. The gathering shines a light on the Keweenaw’s rich copper mining past and brings a large number of people to town who support Visit Keweenaw member lodging and area businesses. Visit Keweenaw is a proud sponsor of the conference.

Hosted by the Historical Society of Michigan, the annual conference rotates across U.P. communities and celebrates history through local presentations, tours and networking. It’s an incredible opportunity to showcase the Keweenaw’s preservation efforts, tours and connect those dedicated to preserving Michigan’s past.

 

Strawberry Festival Soon in Chassell

The beloved Copper Country Strawberry Festival takes place in two weeks in Chassell. On July 11 & 12, it brings two days of fun to the Keweenaw featuring strawberry shortcake, arts & crafts, live music, parades, a queen coronation, children’s activities, food vendors and much more. Centennial Park fills with families and those eager to have that strawberry shortcake! All strawberries are grown locally. At one time, strawberries were a very popular crop in the Keweenaw. The vibrant event continues a long-standing tradition, offering visitors a sweet slice of local culture and an ideal reason to explore Chassell for a weekend.

 

Love The Keweenaw Update

Visit Keweenaw’s Love The Keweenaw initiative continues to grow! This collaborative effort promotes responsible recreation and long-term stewardship of the Copper Country’s outdoor spaces. With new partners joining the movement, the program reflects a shared commitment to protecting the places we love while helping visitors enjoy them responsibly. Lately, Visit Keweenaw has begun to distribute signage citing the program, calling visitors to action to follow posted rules, pick up after themselves and to leave only footprints. One was recently installed at Horseshoe Harbor, a beloved hiking cove past the pavement on US-41 in Copper Harbor. This is a property managed by The Nature Conservancy.

Current partners include:

  • Copper Harbor Trails Club
  • Eagle Harbor Township
  • Keweenaw ATV Club
  • Keweenaw County Sheriff’s Office
  • Keweenaw Land Trust
  • Keweenaw Outdoor Recreation Coalition
  • Keweenaw Snowmobile Club
  • Michigan State University Extension
  • The Nature Conservancy
  • Visit Keweenaw
  • Western Upper Peninsula Planning & Development Region

Love The Keweenaw educates users with strategies and resources to help them make respectful, sustainable, and low-impact use of the region's outdoor recreation and related assets. We hope to see you soon! 

Want to become a partner? Email Brad Barnett at bbarnett@visitkeweenaw.com. 

 

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