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Juhannus Summer Solstice Celebration To Debut in Hancock with Long Drink Sponsor
Visit Keweenaw, the City of Hancock and Long Drink are launching a new event – the Juhannus Summer Solstice Celebration – June 20-22, 2025, in Hancock. This Finnish midsummer festival will bring visitors and locals together for a weekend of bonfires, live music, saunas, Finnish games and summer festivities.
The Finnish Long Drink is an official sponsor of the event featuring a Long Drink Beer Garden on Saturday, June 21. Attendees will find fun, family-friendly activities on the Quincy Green, Porvoo Park and other hotspots in Hancock.
“The City of Hancock is very excited to welcome Finnish Long Drink and the longest days of the year,” said Todd Gast, Community Development Director for the City of Hancock and the DDA. “Juhannus has long been a part of Finnish tradition and heritage in Hancock, and we are enthusiastic about expanding this Summer Solstice Celebration throughout our community. We invite everyone to experience the beginning of summer Hancock style!”
“We’re so excited to work with partners to start this event,” shared Brad Barnett, Executive Director for Visit Keweenaw. “We’re prioritizing creating experiences to help strengthen early summer, and this will be an excellent way to bring attention to the area’s unique culture, history and natural beauty.”
Juhannus is a great opportunity for Keweenaw hotels, restaurants, bars, retailers, and attractions to welcome guests, offer themed experiences, and benefit from increased foot traffic. For more details on how to get involved, email jesse@visitkeweenaw.com. Juhannus is also seeking sponsors for festival activities and beer garden supplies.
Crossing Place Series Goes to The Ambassador
Visit Keweenaw’s hit series, “The Crossing Place,” debuted across social media and YouTube in 2024, showcasing the people, culture and history that make the Keweenaw extraordinary. Each episode shines a light on those who live and thrive here – whether through outdoor adventure, local traditions, or historic legacies – while inspiring visitors to experience it all firsthand.
The latest episode features The Ambassador, a place loved by locals and craved by visitors. Folks rave about the Tostada Pizza across the Upper Peninsula and into Lower Michigan. In 2013, MLive even published a report saying it’s the best in the state. “The Crossing Place” is produced by Keweenaw-based filmmakers 2nd Sandbar Productions for Visit Keweenaw.
CopperDog 150 Mushes Through Big Snow Start and a Sunny Weekend
Visit Keweenaw volunteered the Pine Street Crossing for CopperDog – helping over 30 dog sled teams across a highway onto the trail. The high-energy start Friday was surrounded in a snowglobe of heavy flakes and chilly temps as fans cheered on the race. The cold evening turned to sunshine over the weekend, with teams making their way back to Calumet for a warmer finish on Sunday. The CopperDog 150 returned in 2025 after cancelling its main races in 2024 because of a lack of snow. Visit Keweenaw is a proud sponsor of CopperDog each year.
High spirits with the VK team and helpers at the Pine Street Crossing during the blizzards of CopperDog start!
Great Bear Chase Brings on Late Season Skiing
With ample snowfall and a dedicated group of volunteers – Swedetown Trails hosted the Great Bear Chase in Calumet. This March ski marathon brings XC skiers from across the Midwest to compete in one of the last races of the season. Visit Keweenaw is a sponsor of the Great Bear Chase and encourages skiers in the region to check it out next year! Event organizers encourage participants to stay at Visit Keweenaw member properties, boosting funding for more recreation opportunities in the area.
Over 900 skiers raced at Swedetown Trails during the 2025 Great Bear Chase.
Ride the Keweenaw Gears up for Memorial Day Weekend
Copper Harbor will be booming Memorial Day Weekend! Ride the Keweenaw takes place May 23-25 with exciting mountain bike events from Greenland to Copper Harbor. It has family-friendly segments at the Michigan Tech Trails, technical rides through the Adventure Mine and expert-level enduros in Copper Harbor. Ride the Keweenaw is the first of the Lake Superior Gravity Series, a summer lineup of downhill enduros from Duluth to the Upper Peninsula.
There are many mountain bike events this summer that bring guests to our area. The Keweenaw boasts excellent trails for all abilities and is a hot spot for outdoor recreation enthusiasts in summer.
Upper Peninsula Dark Sky Festival Gazes At Stars in April
The third annual Upper Peninsula Dark Sky Festival takes place in Copper Harbor April 24-26. This event at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge celebrates dark skies in Upper Michigan. Keweenaw Mountain Lodge is headquarters for the Keweenaw Dark Sky Park with over 560 acres of stargazing grounds. The festival invites a group of 50 participants max to stay at the Mountain Lodge and learn over the course of several days about the natural wonders of the Keweenaw. Visit Keweenaw coordinates with the festival to show attendees more unique spots to see. There will be a tour of Open Skies, the group preserving the Calumet Air Force Station, and a History on the Rocks session at the Mariner over dinner featuring a presentation from the Keweenaw National Historical Park. Visit Keweenaw commends the Mountain Lodge for hosting such an educational program for visitors during the shoulder season of spring. It’s a nice boost for Copper Harbor businesses and inspires folks to visit the Keweenaw year-round.
March has been a rich month for Keweenaw skies. Northern Lights seen over Lake Superior near Calumet. (Photo: Jason Swain | Keweenaw Boat Tours)
Snowmobile Season Slows Down, One Last Hurrah
Snowmobile season started to slow down after CopperDog weekend, with temperatures rising and snow melting. A deep snow base allowed trails to hold on while grooming halted, and the Portage Lake Lift Bridge crossing was closed to snowmobiles on March 19. ORV season opens in Michigan April 1, but stay tuned to the Keweenaw ATV Club for local updates and rules.
Small Craft Opens on Hancock Waterfront, New Hotspot in Town
Lynn and Jason Makela, Owners of Fresh Coast Cabins and Takka Saunas, have recently opened their new venture in Hancock. Small Craft is housed in a well-known building on Navy Street in Hancock that used to be a restaurant/lounge space. Starting with saunas and relaxation at Takka Portage, the waterfront is now more whole with the Makela’s new addition. Inviting a food truck to share the space smells great outside and pairs perfect with the drinks.
“Small Craft is now open – and it’s already buzzing,” said Lynn Makela. “We’re so grateful for the community support and excitement. The response has been incredible, and it’s clear that the Hancock waterfront was ready for something fun. It’s been amazing to see people gathering (even scheduling meetings here!), catching up over drinks and enjoying the atmosphere. We’re proud to be contributing to the growing momentum in Hancock and want to extend a warm invite to local business owners and hospitality folks – stop by, say hi, and see what we’re building. We’re especially excited to keep working on our event space and outdoor gathering space – the Buoyard – coming this summer. Lots more to come, and we’d love to collaborate and celebrate with you.”
Small Craft is located at 101 Navy Street in Hancock next to Porvoo Park. Summer is going to look much better this year with all the new activity on the Hancock waterfront.
Spring sun hits different with these craft brews, artisan crafted cocktails and mocktails!
Calumet Anniversaries
This year marks significant milestones for the Calumet community. Wednesday, March 18 marked the 150th anniversary of the Village of Calumet. Formed from the Calumet and Hecla Mining Company around the turn of the century, this social hub continues to push forward. Many original buildings have been preserved from the mining heyday and revitalization is always in progress.
Another staple of the community – the Calumet Theatre opened in March of 1900. It just celebrated 125 years of operation and still houses the Calumet Village Government, and continues to hold events and shows. In addition to the Theatre, the Calumet Golf Course is looking back on 100 years of golf outings, opened in 1925. Calumet is rich in history, and many of these same places have been appreciated by several generations. Go out and explore these historic gems this summer—and don’t miss Pasty Fest in August!
In the Headlines
- Detroit Free Press/Yahoo! - Where are Michigan’s spring festivals? Where to enjoy blooms, music, outdoors
- The Collector - 10 Must-Visit Historic Towns in Michigan
- WTKG AM - Charming Michigan Scenic Byway Names Most Beautiful Road in the State
- MLive - Experience spectacular stargazing at U.P. dark sky celebration
- WGRD FM - The Best Towns in Michigan (According to Michiganders)
- Rider Magazine - Keweenaw Peninsula, Michigan Motorcycle Ride