Marquette Beautification & Restoration Committee

06/15/2026

The lilacs are in bloom and showcasing the Father Marquette statue. Summer is coming!! (photo by Jenn Voegtline)

06/08/2026

This month’s regular meeting will be on Thursday, June 11 at the Marquette Holiday Inn. The guest speaker will be Jon Swenson, city director of Community Services, who will present a program about the newly completed Peg Hirvonen Band Shelll, which replaced the original bandshell structure that stood for nearly a century. The new band shell is roughly 3,00” square feet and contains more storage, bathrooms and improved acoustics. It reflects the natural character of Presque Isle Park. The overall project is valued at $2.2 million, and an additional $330,000 was needed to complete it.
At 7 p.m. Thursday,June 25, the new band shell will be dedicated. There is free admission to all concerts, but donations are welcome.
For the MBRC meeting, a buffet luncheon will be served starting at 11:45 a.m. Arrival time starts at 11:30 a.m. The cost of lunch is $22, which includes a hot entree, soup, salad, dessert and beverages payable at the door by cash or check. You may attend the meeting and choose to not have the lunch; if you decide not to have lunch, please state NO LUNCH when you make your reservation. Reservations are encouraged by Tuesday afternoon, but we can always accommodate you if you don't meet that deadline. Text VP Barb Kelly at 906-869-0794 or email her at [email protected] with your reservation.

06/08/2026

Tami’s Garden is really blooming with irises now!  It’s located behind the new Arts and Culture Center along Front Street.

05/11/2026

The next meeting of the Marquette Beautification & Restoration Committee Inc., will be on Thursday, May 14 at the Marquette Holiday Inn. Text Barb Kelly at 906-869-0794 or email [email protected]. Please try to respond by Tuesday afternoon before the meeting. If you do not plan to eat lunch, please state NO LUNCH when you make your reservation. The Holiday Inn serves a buffet lunch featuring a main hot dish, soup, salad, dessert and beverage for $22 payable at the door by cash or check only. You can begin arriving at 11:30 a.m.; check in with Addie and Pat, pick up your nametag and then claim a seat with your purse, coat or napkin so others will know it is occupied. Our buffet is served at 11:45 a.m., followed by the noon meeting. There will be no speaker this month as there will be a business meeting only.

04/09/2026

The MBRC invites residents and community groups to participate in the 48th Annual Spring Clean-Up, scheduled for May 1-15. The event is a great opportunity for the community to work together and freshen up neighborhoods, parks and public spaces throughout the city.
Community sponsors for this year's clean-up include the city of Marquette and Lutey's Heritage Motors. Several groups already have signed up to clean specific public spaces, and all residents are encouraged to pitch in by tidying up their own neighborhoods as well.
Participating groups may choose the date that works best for them during the May 1-15 timeframe, depending on schedules and weather. Additional areas still are available for groups interested in volunteering.
To sign up a group or learn more, contact Lisa Jahnke at 906-458-9676 or visit www.mqtbeautification.org.
Together, we can help keep Marquette the beautiful city we're proud to call home.

   WelcomeThe Marquette Beautification & Restoration Committee, Inc. was established in 1978 as a nonprofit volunteer organization.  It is comprised of members who share a unified goal to enhance the appearance of the city of Marquette.     Keeping Marquette Beautiful Since 1978.   MissionTh...

03/28/2026

The MBRC will meet for its next regular meeting on Thursday, April 9, at the Holiday Inn in Marquette.
Check-in starts at 11:30 a.m. If you are having lunch, the cost is $22 payable with cash or check (made out to MBRC) at this time. You may opt to not eat lunch; please include your choice of NO LUNCH on your email reservation. The buffet lunch will be served starting at 11:45 a.m.
The business meeting will be at noon. Jill LaMere, past president, will preside. MBRC’s guidelines from the Michigan Department of Transportation regarding the scheduled pick-up of the Petunia Pandemonium stretch on Saturday, April 25 will be discussed. This clean up usually takes less than an hour. Participants will meet in front of the Birdcage Antiques at 10 a.am.,sign the MDOT form, and receive safety vests and large bags. MBRC will pick up both sides of US-41 (Front Street) from Furnace Street to Jackson Street and all the way to the Father Marquette Park.
In recent years the amount of litter has substantially diminished, including cigarette butts, so MBRC’s efforts have taken much less time. However, If there is pouring rain, hail or snow, the event will be rescheduled for safety and comfort.
The speaker for the April 9 program will be Jeff Fossitt, fire marshal for the Marquette Fire Department, who will share an overview of the department's Presque Isle Fire Prevention measures. His presentation will help people better understand the risks, strategies and community partnerships that protect the park.

03/27/2026

The Marquette Beautification and Restoration Committee's annual South Front Street planting of thousands of flowers — Petunia Pandemonium— to beautify Marquette's southern gateway is set for 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, May 30, on the west side of US-41 from Furnace Street to Genesee Street.
This will be a great free outdoor beautification project for entire family! Children will learn planting skills and experience community pride.
There will be a complimentary pizza picnic for all volunteers following planting.
Flowers and instructions will be at all sites with plot captain helpers.
Wear old clothes and bring a trowel. Safety vests will be provided, with lane closure provided for safety
Restrooms will be available at McCabe's. There will be extra trowels as well.
For more information, call 906-869-0794.
Help plant red white blue flowers to celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary!

03/10/2026

Shailah Pelto from Samara Floral in Negaunee will talk about the propagation of dahlias at the monthly luncheon meeting of the Marquette Beautification and Restoration Committee Inc. set for Thursday, March 12, at the Marquette Holiday Inn. Check-in will be at 11:30 a.m., followed by the luncheon and program at noon. Lunch is $22, although people may attend without purchasing a meal. People may make a reservation by texting Vice President Barb Kelly at 906-869-0794 or emailing [email protected].

02/09/2026

The MBRC will hold its regular luncheon/business meeting at 11:45 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, at the Marquette Holiday Inn. The program will feature Partridge Creek Farm outgoing Executive Director Phil Carter and incoming Director Nancy Taylor. Their compost initiative works to divert food waste and compostable materials from the landfill and transforms them into healthy, nutrient-rich soil.
The lunch is $22, although people may attend without purchasing lunch.

01/13/2026

The MBRC will meet this Thursday, Jan . 15, at the Holiday Inn in Marquette. Registration for the lunch, which is $22, will begin at 11:30, followed by the lunch at 11:45 and later the program. The speaker is Bruce Closser, who recently set the Guinness Book of World Records for being the oldest person to bicycle across the US.