Annual Events

Please note:  These events are listed in alphabetical, not chronological, order.  Keep an eye on our homepage's calendar for yearly events by the month.  If you seek information on an event you know takes place annually, you'll find it here--and if not, send an email to request that it be added to this list.  We take pride in all of our annual events; get the scoop on what we keep ourselves busy with year-round! 
Alpaca-Shearing at Rainbow's End
White Alpaca
This photo of a white alpaca courtesy of Rainbow's End Alpacas.
Alpacas must be sheared for their health, and their wool is a valuable commodity.  Check out Rainbow Gifts & Yarn, at their shop or online, to see some of the beautiful products made with the 'paca wool.  The shearing is open to the public, and you are welcomed to join the somewhat rambunctious event.  This is a bit fast-paced, as well as on the noisy side, so be prepared for the fun!  2015's shearing was on Thursday, May 14th; watch for this year's date--and, watch for dates of other events held at Rainbow's End throughout the year!  Find and Like them on Facebook!
Rainbow's End Alpacas
Rainbow's End Gifts & Yarn
W6139 US 2
Norway, MI 49870
906-563-7034

City Band Performances, Throughout the Summers


Formed in 1882, the 30-member Norway City Band is the oldest band in the State of Michigan to perform on a consecutive yearly basis.
Band Shell Park
Photo by Mary Spera
Our band plays on a weekly basis throughout the summers, and also plays at other local events, such as Memorial Day and Independence Day parades, as well as at events arranged by the Jake Menghini Museum and the Lions Club.
Community Easter Egg Hunt at Marion Park, Early Spring

2017's egg hunt packed 25,000 eggs, each one containing a fun surprise!  Everything given away at this event was donated by local companies, and those who would like to donate for next year can do so by mailing checks made out to Norway Community Easter Egg Hunt to Becky Kleikamp at N3140 District 5 Road in Norway, MI, 49870.  Please include your name so that you can be listed as a donor.  If you would like to donate toys, candy, or eggs, call Becky at 906-563-7289 to determine a drop-off location. 

Many thanks to donors, and thanks in advance to future donors.  Organizers Becky and Terry Kleikamp credit the donors--of which there are many--for the ability to hold this event.  Click here to see the long list of 2016 sponsors, and here to visit the Norway Community Easter Egg Hunt's Facebook page. 

The egg hunt is open to all, with expectation of two to three thousand children to come out and hunt for eggs.  Bring the whole family to the park at 12 noon to allow time for parking, entrance, and age-group location; kids up to ten years old are invited and encouraged to participate in the hunt.  Count down to 1:00 sharp, then watch the collection happen.  Good luck, and more importantly, have fun!

Dickinson County Fair, Labor Day Weekend

Skerbeck Carnival
Carnival entertainment at the Dickinson County Fair is provided by Skerbeck Carnival; logo above by Skerbeck Carnival, from www.dickinsoncountyfair.com.
Carouse the carnival, try foods you can find only at our Dickinson County Fair, visit with vendors, and watch the friendly competition for best livestock, flowers, and more.  Our fair packs the weekend with horse and pony pulling, truck and tractor pulling, bingo, live music, and Demolition Derby.  Look for our booth in the exhibition building!
Fumee Lake Wings & Wildflowers Walks
Growing and Glowing at Fumee
By Dawn Wolfe
A Black-capped chickadee perched at Fumee Lake; photo by Dawn Wolfe.
Growing and glowing green at Fumee; Yellow Ladies' Slipper orchids, photo courtesy of Fumee Lake Commission.
The Fumee Lake Commission invites the public to participate in their annual Wings & Wildflowers Walks.  Look for 2017's dates to appear in the spring.  Whether you're a nature enthusiast, or someone who simply likes to get some fresh air in a beautiful atmosphere, those of all ages and abilities are more than welcome to walk with us.  A variety of birds live, breed, or migrate through the Fumee Lake Natural Area.  Warblers, Loons, and Bald Eagles are just a few species you may encounter there.  Fumee also features many kinds of wildflower, including several native orchids.  We meet at the east parking lot, off Upper Pine Creek Road (off US 2 between Quinnesec and Norway).  Dress for the weather, and wear comfortable shoes.  Bring a bird or wildflower guide and a camera.  The walks are at a slow pace, on an easy terrain; we cover just over one mile, for between two and three hours.  There is no charge to participate, and no County park sticker is required.  For more information, email info@fumeelakes.org, or visit Fumee's Facebook page.

Hanbury Lake Ice Fishing Derby

Sponsored by Knights of Columbus and Norway Vulcan Holy Spirit Council #9523, the Hanbury Ice Fishing Derby is hot food and door prizes all day long.  Cost for 2015's derby was set at just a dollar, with as many entries for each person as they'd like.  Hundreds of dollars in cash and prizes with drawings every hour, the first $20 going to the first one to catch one.  Hanbury's derby weekend is one when a fishing license isn't required, but all fish must be caught hook and line after the event opens.  2015's event was also sponsored by R&A Transportation, LR Vincent, Ebeling's, LaFaive Oil BP, and Wild Life Unlimited of Dickinson County.  

Ice Cream Social at the Jake Menghini Museum, Summers


Ice Cream Social at the Museum
Photo by Mary Spera

The City Band plays outside the museum while residents relax.  The date and time of this summer's Ice Cream Social will be posted on our homepage's Community Calendar.

Independence Day Celebration, Fourth of July
Kiddie Parade
Mary Spera

Our city's Fourth of July celebration begins with our children.  Those participating in the kids' parade line up at 5:45.  Kids' parade lineup is on Tenth Avenue (north side of City Hall).  The kids' parade begins at 6:30. 

The main parade follows immediately afterward.  Lineup for the main parade is on Eleventh and Railroad avenues.  The parade travels on Main Street.  No registration is required, but all participants are asked to arrive at least 45 minutes prior to the start of the parade, to allow for lineup and judging. 

For the safety of viewers, participants in the parade are asked not to throw anything from their entries; instead, please have someone walk alongside your entry, and hand out the items.  ATTENTION HORSE CLUBS:  Please provide a cleanup person to follow and clean up after your horses.
If you have questions about the parade, contact Wally Zychowski ("Za-HOSS-key") at 906-563-5746.

After the parade, the City Band will play at the band shell (next to City Hall).


Fourth of July
Photo by Mary Spera
At dusk, our Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) puts on a fireworks display that is known throughout the region to be one of the very best.  A page full of pictures won't do it justice.  Come see it for yourself.

International Ski Jump at Pine Mountain Resort in Nearby Iron Mountain, MI, February


travelblog.org
The jump, pre-snow; photo from travelblog.org.

3332 Pine Mountain Road
Iron Mountain, MI 49801
P.S. You don't have to stay at Pine Mountain Resort in order to enjoy Jump Weekend to the max; Either Norway Inn & Suites or Norway Mountain would be an excellent place to retreat, relax, and get ready to return to the jumps the next day!
This annual event brings ski jumpers from all over the world.  Pine Mountain is a hill on which records in all classes have been set; at 140 meters, or 459 feet, the U.S. record holds here to date.  More than 20,000 spectators attend each year, making Jump Weekend one of the best winter experiences in the States.  Tailgaters from around the region set up camp under the jump.  From early morning right into the night, the party never stops.  Check out the Kiwanis Ski Club of Iron Mountain, MI website for info--and don't miss the video clips!

Leif Erikson Fall Festival, October


Leif Erikson Fall Festival
Photo by leiferiksonfest.com
The Leif Erikson Fall Festival, held annually, celebrates the Viking history that the Norway area traces some of its roots to.  The many happenings hosted throughout our small town over the course of Leif Erikson Weekend are rather diverse, ranging from competitive racing, the crowning of Miss Norway, and the Leif Erikson Parade, to antique and art displays, musical performances, and the "Funeral Pyre" boat-burning on the Night of the Viking.  The weekend includes fall produce, activities just for children, a mini zoo, horse rides, wagon rides, a corn maze, and more.        
March Book Drive

Great Start of Dickinson and Iron Counties, and Iron Mountain-Kingsford Kiwanis, hold a kids' book drive each March.  Drop off gently-used children's books at Norway Elementary School.  Other drop-off sites are:  Crystal Falls Courthouse, Dickinson County Chamber of Commerce, Dickinson County Health Department, Dickinson County Healthcare System, Bates Head Start Center, Dina Mia, Dickinson Iron Community Services Agency (DICSA), Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA), NorthPointe, NORTHSTAR, Forest Park Elementary School, Iron County Health Department, Iron County Chamber of Commerce, North Elementary School,  Stambaugh Elementary, Willis Early Childhood Center, and Woodland Elementary School.  All books collected are used to supply Great Start Book Mailboxes in Dickinson County and Iron County.  Great Start contact is Jonathan Ringel, at 1-734-474-8597 or jonathan.ringel@frontier.com.  IM-K Kiwanis contact is Mike Miller at 1-906-221-1738 or lboa2020@gmail.com.

  1. March Book Drive

Memorial Day


On Memorial Day, we honor those who have sacrificed their lives to make both our country and our community the safe and outstanding places they are.  The parade normally begins at 10:30.  Step out your door and join us.
Music in the Park, Throughout the Summers

Norway Band Shell
Norway's Band Shell Park; photo by Tim Kamppinen Photography.

Live performances by various artists are held at the Band Shell on Main Street almost every week through the summer.  Some seating is available--but show the musicians your appreciation by dancing to their tunes!


Norway Citywide Rummage;
Yard & Garage Sales Throughout Town, Spring

This event draws crowds, which include people from several neighboring towns.  Get there early.  This year the City wide Rummage Sale will be May 20, 2017. Hope to see you there!
Map & List

Norway Speedway Stock Car Races,
Throughout the Summers

Norway Speedway
All stock cars that regularly race are not shown here; these are only the cars which were clearly visible to the person taking these photos on July 4th, 2015.  If you would like your racing car to be added to our slideshow, please send your picture(s) to dataentry@norwaymi.gov, or call 906-563-9961, extension 202.
Stock car races are held at the Dickinson County fairgrounds once per week through the summer.  Be prepared--they're loud!  The concession stand and restrooms are nice and close to the bleachers.

Norway Spring Classic

; 10 K, 5 K, & 2 Mile Run/Walk


Spring Classic
Photo by Mary Spera
sc 17
Always a great time, as well as a great way to celebrate the winter's thaw!
Maps are distributed as soon as they become available.  Preregister online at www.register.superiortiming.com.  Race day registration is in the Norway-Vulcan Middle School gymnasium, and the start line lies just outside the middle school, at 300 Section Street.  Racing is limited to 600 runners.  Awards go to the top three finisher of each age group, in each race.  Treats from Dairy Queen go to all 2M finishers.  Norway Spring Classic is sponsored by Pepsi-Cola of Iron Mountain, Norway's Dairy Queen, First National Bank of Norway, D&G Advisory Group of Menominee, and Tadych's Econo Foods of Iron Mountain.  A link to last year's run route is below.  Other race-related questions should be directed to Tony Adams, Race Director, at 906-774-8071 or awsradams@gmail.com. 
Scandinavian Christmas, December
Baby Viking by Lynn Pazzo Photography
'Baby Viking' by Lynn Pazzo Photography.

The first Christmas fireworks are set off in the evening, followed by the Christmas parade.  And, if your family would like to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus after the parade, the famous couple will have been waiting all year to give each of our children a warm "Hello!"  Bring the kids to City Hall, where the jolly pair will be waiting.       

 Mr. & Mrs. Claus will be at City Hall immediately following the parade.  Parade participants can simply show up and line up at St. Mary’s church dates and time to be announced.   Warm and happy holidays!