Houghton and the Keweenaw Peninsula have a reputation for being a winter paradise, but that shouldn’t be taken to mean that things slow down in the summer.  It seems that just as the warm weather arrives the outdoor festivals kick in: there are two this weekend alone, and that doesn’t include the huge Bridgefest shindig next weekend, which celebrates the “birthday” of the Portage Lake Lift Bridge, which connects the communities of Houghton and Hancock and is the gateway to the Keweenaw Peninsula.

More on that later … this weekend it’s pasties and art on the menu.  First off, Houghton and the Copper Country Community Arts Center are hosting the annual Houghton Spring Art and Music Festival, which brings what you’d expect: art, music and food to Houghton’s old-timey downtown.  One of the highlights of the weekend (at least from this Boomer’s perspective) is a performance that is the culmination of a rock camp that Houghton native PJ Olsson of the Alan Parsons Live Project has been running with music and dance students from the area.

The sun shines brightly on Houghton Michigan's downtown. (Photo credit t.shirbert. See more of his fabulous UP photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/tshirbert/sets/72157603597599982/)

One of the great things we’ve found about living in Houghton is the ease of access to opportunities like this.  There isn’t as much going on in this small town as in a large city (it stands to reason), but when special events like this come along it’s actually possible to get involved and you don’t have to “know somebody” to make it happen.

All Hail the Pasty

Ten miles or so to the north, the town of Calumet is hosting Pastyfest ‘09, this year’s version of the annual homage to the pasty (pronounced PAA-sty, not PAH-sty or PAY-sty, lest you look like an outsider), the Cornish meat pie that fed the miners who brought copper out of the surrounding hills a century ago.  Calumet was once the center of the Upper Peninsula mining industry, so it’s fitting that Pastyfest would be there. The event features all things pasty, the Pasty Walk, Pasty Parade, a pasty bake-off, etc.  There’s a nice video from Pastyfest ‘08 if you want to learn more.  Quintessential Americana (You can’t make this stuff up.).

Events like these will go on throughout the summer in the Houghton Hancock area, as well as the rest of the Upper Peninsula.  What’s your favorite Upper Peninsula summer happening?