Years in The Making: Northern Michigan Names Celebrating Milestone Anniversaries In 2026
By Kierstin Gunsberg | Dec. 26, 2025
The New Year is nearly here, and with it, major milestones for many of northern Michigan’s most iconic businesses and organizations. Here’s a look at who’s ushering in 2026 eyeing an anniversary, what it took to get them here, and how they plan to celebrate.
North American Vasa – 50th Anniversary
When the North American Vasa held its first blustery nordic ski race in 1976, just a few dozen skiers showed up for the Park Place Hotel-promoted event. As Vasa President Emeritus Pete LaPlaca told The Ticker back in November, the early focus was “on really high-end racers, very competitive racers.”
Fifty years later, Vasa’s ditched the promotional angle and …
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10:00 AM
Festival of Trains
Runs Dec. 20 - Jan. 3. Santa visits on Sat., Dec. 21 & Sat., Dec. 27 from 1-3pm. … More Info >>10:00 AM
Winter Member Exhibition
Dec. 5 - Jan. 2. Opening reception on Dec. 5 from 5-7pm. OAC member showcase is an all-media … More Info >>11:00 AM
8th Annual Art Tree & Ornament Show
Featuring hundreds of handmade ornaments. Opening reception will be held on Dec. 4 from 5-8pm. Runs through New … More Info >>11:00 AM
Beneath the Surface: Training Tomorrow’s Water Stewards
The Great Lakes Water Studies Institute at NMC is advancing freshwater, groundwater, & marine science through cutting-edge technology, … More Info >>11:00 AM
Dewey Blocksma: Roundtable
Blocksma's artwork is a gathering of figures & ideas, real & imagined, informed by medicine & art. Common … More Info >>11:00 AM
Doug Cannell: "Selections from Backstories"
An introduction to Doug Cannell’s works that merge sculpture, installation, & storytelling into layered experiences. Cannell creates objects … More Info >>11:00 AM
Ice Into Ocean: Arctic Tracings
This exhibition is the result of a seven year collaboration between Cy Keener & Justine Holzman, exploring how … More Info >>11:00 AM
Impressions of an Era: Prints from the Denison Museum Collection
This selection of prints, created between 1970 & 1990 by nationally & internationally recognized contemporary artists, reflects two … More Info >>Teddy Bear Daycare and Preschool Announces Expansion at Church of the Living God
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