MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – Traditional arts from across the Upper Peninsula took center stage Saturday at Northern Michigan University.
The inaugural Upper Peninsula Folklife Festival brought together traditional arts practitioners from throughout the U.P. and upper midwest for a full day of workshops, demonstrations, and performances at the Northern Center. From wood carving and bowl making to folk music and indigenous beading, the festival aimed to not just showcase traditional arts, but pass them onto new generations.
Event Co-Coordinator and Director of Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center, Daniel Truckey, says that making the event possible was absolutely worth the effort put into it. “It feels incredible for it to finally all come together, and to see people here enjoying themselves, y’know that’s what it’s all about, that’s why we do it,” says Truckey. “It makes me feel good to know there’s people who are really interested in this stuff and care about it and want to see it more and more. I’m just really pleased with the turnout.”
The event was presented by the NMU Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center alongside several regional arts organizations.
