ESCANABA — Summer is a beautiful time of year in Delta County, but many get truly excited when the weather turns cooler, and we head into the fall and winter seasons in the U.P. Visitors have been traveling to our area for many years to take advantage of the fall and winter sports seasons. You can stop by the Marble’s Inventing the Outdoors Museum at the Delta County Commerce Center to see the history of outdoor recreation in our region. Many say Webster Marble put the Upper Peninsula on the map with his inventions that helped adventurers enjoy the natural environment here.

This year we will welcome many enthusiasts to enjoy the outdoor sports seasons, including this weekend at the U.P. Ice Fishing and Hunting Expo going on now through Sunday October 9 at the Ruth Butler Building on the U.P. State Fairgrounds. We are looking forward to participating in this new event and promoting fall and winter sports to outdoor fans from across the Midwest. Every year the Visit Escanaba team produces unique pictures, videos, and content highlighting all the seasons. As the Destination Marketing Organization for Delta County, we promote the area and raise awareness about the opportunities and activities people can enjoy. Millions of people every year see our pictures and posts about this area, and they love them. The number of people that view information about Delta County grows every year.

Another new opportunity that will be coming up this winter is The Big Freeze Winter Festival on February 17 and 18. This event will raise money for the Delta County Search & Rescue Team and bring excitement to the area during the chilliest outdoor sports season. Last year the Big Freeze was only a one-day Fishing Derby. The Delta County Search & Rescue Team were amazing volunteers for the event and brought out some of their equipment that is used to keep everyone in Delta County safe during our harshest times of year. The Big Freeze was able to donate $1,000 to Delta County Search & Rescue. Participants in the inaugural fishing derby also competed for over $3,000 in prizes donated and purchased from local businesses.

This year the Visit Escanaba Board of Directors wanted to expand the event to include more festivities for everyone beyond just the fishing derby. On Friday February 17, 2023 there will be a chili cook-off, a live ice carving performance by Food Network’s Randy Finch, music, raffles, a silent auction, and more at the U.P. State Fairgrounds, Ruth Butler Building. If you would like to enter the chili cookoff, email bigfreeze@visitescanaba.com for information about how you or your business can enter the competition. Visit Escanaba wants to continue growing this event annually held on free fishing weekend to bring more people to the area and support local businesses and organizations.

The 2nd Annual Big Freeze Ice Fishing Derby will be on Saturday February 18, 2023. Contestants will compete to catch the biggest perch, walleye, and northern pike. Lots of prizes, food, and a “Big Freeze” hoodie await entrants into the derby. On that Saturday there will also be family-friendly winter themed activities like canvas painting, horse drawn carriage rides, kid’s crafts/games, face painting, food trucks, ice skating under the stars, and more at the Ruth Butler Building on the U.P. State Fairgrounds.

Delta County is a favorite destination for many people during every time of the year. Those of us lucky enough to live here are treated to beautiful views and special opportunities every day. Visit Escanaba helps celebrate this area and shows our assets and strong community members to a large audience across the Midwest and people like what they are seeing. Tourism and nearly every other business it seems are thriving in Delta County despite headwinds in the economy. People are coming here and starting new ventures and locals are opening or expanding their businesses as well. Visit Escanaba will be highlighting this growing community to millions of people every step of the way. I am very thankful we have such a successful and promising community to show off. Keep up the good work.

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Robert Micheau is CEO of Visit Escanaba