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Summer 2025 Snapshot | 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
- GLAD JAM Dark Sky Event Comes to Houghton Sept. 11-14
- Help Laurium Manor Inn Win Best US Historical B&B
- VK Presents $10,000 to Copper Country Finns & Friends
- VK Team Volunteers at Nature Trail
- Epic Canal Run Brings More than 1,100 Racers to Hancock
- Pasty Fest Comes to Calumet Soon
- CroFest Expands Calumet’s Event Lineup
- Crossing Place Posted On Painesdale Mine
- VK’s New Content from Nathan “Invincible” Miller
- In the Headlines
A Note From the Executive Director
July marked a strong month for tourism in the Keweenaw, with early indicators showing year-over-year growth in lodging bookings. This increase in visitation was supported by a busy calendar of summer events, including the Canal Run, which drew a record-setting 1,100 participants—further establishing the race as a premier event in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Adding to the positive momentum, the Keweenaw received prominent media attention in July, with features in Midwest Living and Outside Magazine. These accolades reflect both the high quality of the Keweenaw experience and the continued efforts of the Visit Keweenaw team to raise the region’s profile as a must-visit destination.
While wildfire smoke from Canada caused intermittent air quality concerns, potentially affecting travel plans for some visitors, the region remained a popular escape for travelers seeking outdoor adventure, cooler temperatures, and scenic beauty.
The Visit Keweenaw team is also excited to announce a new program, Hidden Gems, to share unique and undervisited attractions with travelers. The initiative builds on other Visit Keweenaw popular programs like the Keweenaw Pasty Trail which “gamify” visitation who are looking for fun ways to explore the area.
Here’s to a busy August!
GLAD JAM Dark Sky Event Comes to Houghton Sept. 11-14
Get ready for the Great Lakes Aurora Dark Sky Jamboree (GLAD JAM) Sept. 11-14 in Houghton! It’s shaping up to be one of the Keweenaw’s brightest events of the fall.
The multi-day celebration of stargazing, science and storytelling will draw night sky enthusiasts, photographers and families from across the region. With speakers like aurora expert Melissa Kaelin (Michigan Aurora Chasers) and night sky “Get outside now!” personality Patrick Gubba, GLAD JAM offers a compelling reason for travelers to explore the Keweenaw in shoulder season.
Why it matters for you:
- September bookings could rise with visitors attending the GLAD JAM with programming taking place in Houghton.
- Participating venues could see increased foot traffic during community events, workshops and guided night sky tours.
- This is an excellent opportunity to offer themed packages, special rates or evening experiences. (Think late night saunas, dark sky happy hours and aurora gear sales!) Let us know if you’d like to play a part!
Visit Keweenaw is actively promoting the event statewide and beyond, and we’d love your help sharing the word. Sponsorship opportunities are also available to help the GLAD JAM. Reach out to jesse@visitkeweenaw.com if you have any questions or would like to be a sponsor.
Help Laurium Manor Inn Win Best US Historical B&B
For the second year in a row, Laurium Manor Inn is in the running for Best Historical B&B in the nation in Newsweek’s Readers’ Choice Awards!
This stately 1908 mansion is competing against other historic gems across the country — including Michigan’s own Cartier Mansion in Ludington — but we know the Keweenaw’s crown jewel is Laurium Manor.
With its original woodwork, grand staircase, and rich copper boom heritage, this iconic inn deserves national recognition.
You can vote once per day through August 17 to help push the Inn to #1!
Cast your vote here: https://www.newsweek.com/readerschoice/best-historical-bb-2025
Let’s put Laurium — and the Keweenaw — on the map in a big way!
VK Presents $10,000 to Copper Country Finns & Friends
Visit Keweenaw proudly presented a $10,000 donation to Copper Country Finns & Friends (CCFF) following this year’s Juhannus Midsummer celebration in Hancock. The funds—raised through ticket sales, sponsors, and community support—will help CCFF plan public programming that honors the Keweenaw’s rich Finnish-American heritage.
This announcement comes on the heels of Hancock being named the Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture, a distinction unveiled during Juhannus weekend. In 2026, Hancock will host visiting dignitaries and cultural leaders from other Finno-Ugric communities around the world.
“Visit Keweenaw’s generous gift to Copper Country Finns & Friends is a game changer,” said Jim Kurtti, CCFF Chair and Honorary Consul to Finland. “We now feel very empowered to bring our vision for the Finno-Ugric year in 2026 to life.”
Historically operating on a shoestring budget and powered by volunteers, CCFF will use these funds to support event planning, promotion, and community engagement. Expect more Finnish-forward fun in the year ahead as this proud partnership continues to grow.
Kiitos to everyone who made this celebration—and future ones—possible!
VK Team Volunteers at Nature Trail
In July, the Visit Keweenaw crew rolled up their sleeves and joined the Keweenaw Land Trust for a volunteer cleanup at the Paavola Wetlands Nature Area. Alongside community members, our team spent two hours clearing overgrown vegetation and restoring trails near the historic old farmhouse—one of the Keweenaw’s remaining ties to its agricultural past.
Located just past Quincy Mine on Paavola Road (off US-41), this site is a great stop for a peaceful nature walk.
Visit Keweenaw is proud to support sustainable tourism and give back to the outdoor spaces that locals and visitors alike enjoy.
Epic Canal Run Brings More than 1,100 Racers to Hancock
This year’s Canal Run welcomed more than 1,100 racers to the City of Hancock for one of the Keweenaw’s most beloved summer traditions. The scenic event, held each July along the Portage Canal, offers multiple race distances and draws participants from across the Midwest—and beyond. This was a record number for the race, not hitting 1,000+ until this year.
Visit Keweenaw’s Jesse Wiederhold was on the ground volunteering at the finish line, managing the post-race drink and snack tent to help refuel runners after their big finish. It’s one small way Visit Keweenaw supports the events that bring people together and showcase the Keweenaw’s vibrant outdoor community.
Whether you’re cheering or chasing a PR, the Canal Run is pure Copper Country.
Photo Credit: Lily Venable
Pasty Fest Comes to Calumet Soon
Get ready to celebrate the Upper Peninsula’s most iconic comfort food at Pasty Fest, happening Aug. 15-17 in downtown Calumet! As the title sponsor, Visit Keweenaw is proud to support this beloved tradition packed with
New this year: Main Street Calumet is introducing a Pasty Song competition, which invites performers to sing their piece at Eva’s Hideaway in Calumet the night before Pasty Fest. There will be Cornish sister city rededication ceremony to kick off the weekend and re-embracing Calumet’s Cornish roots. Long-time fans will be happy to know there is a return of the home-baked pasty contest.
The Pasty Pull truck pull event is presented by Visit Keweenaw—test your strength (or cheer wildly) as teams try to haul a real truck down 5th Street! Thanks to UPPCO for providing the rig!
Come hungry, bring your crew, and join us for a full day of fun celebrating the Copper Country’s favorite handheld meal. In prior years, more than 3,500 pasties have been sold and around 2,500 people attend. Pasty Fest is Main Street Calumet’s largest fundraiser of the year.
CroFest Expands Calumet’s Event Lineup
The week before Pasty Fest just filled up with a fun, unique event that builds out Calumet’s summer programming. CroFest — short for the new Croatian & Slovenian Culture Festival — debuts August 9–10 as part of the Village of Calumet’s 150th Anniversary celebrations.
This free, family-friendly weekend features authentic Balkan cuisine, live Slavic music, Kolo dance instruction, kids’ activities, and a powerful connection to Calumet’s rich immigrant and labor history. Highlights include performances by The Tamburitzans and Chicago’s Pajdaši Tamburaši, plus traditional dishes like ćevapčići and sarma made by local and visiting chefs.
Held right on Fifth Street where Slovenian-American labor activist "Big Annie" once marched, CroFest invites locals and visitors alike to experience the vibrant cultural roots that helped shape the Keweenaw.
Crossing Place Posted On Painesdale Mine
Visit Keweenaw’s groundbreaking documentary series continues to tell the stories of the people and their passions who make this place so special. From Four Suns taking its voyage onto Lake Superior to catch fresh whitefish to the role of nature conservancies, the series resonates well for the adventurous and curious.
The most recent video features an interview with Michael Prast, Painesdale Mine & Shaft President. This unique tour stays above ground and explores the rich history of the Champion #4 Shaft House. It is the only one in the Keweenaw that takes you multiple floors up into the operations of copper. The site provides a valuable understanding of the industrial methods used by miners to crush rock and pull copper.
Check out the episode, then schedule a tour! Painesdale stays open until the end of color season, but the site can be visited year round. Look for Visit Keweenaw funded information stands and interpretive displays.