Outdoor Races, Art Exhibits, and College Leadership Changes Highlight Traverse City's Vibrant Weekend

Good morning, this is your Traverse City Local Frequency for Saturday, June 7th, 2025. Today brings a variety of cultural and outdoor activities to enjoy across our beautiful region. Art enthusiasts should head to Higher Art Gallery for "Layers of Joy," featuring oil painter Cathy Engberg's expressive works alongside Kathleen Kvern's layered abstract constructions made of recycled cardboard and encaustic. This exhibition runs until June 14th, with doors opening at 11 AM today. For the active community members, several races are happening this morning. The North Mitten Half Marathon, 10K & 5K kicked off at 8 AM, combining paved and dirt roads for a challenging course. Meanwhile, the Rock the Light 5K Run/Walk & 10-Miler began at 8:30 AM, with all proceeds benefiting the Leelanau State Park. Participants will enjoy a free pancake breakfast afterward. In local news, Northwestern Michigan College has experienced a leadership change. Dino Hernandez, who served less than a year as the first-ever chief advancement officer, has departed his post. NMC President Nick Nissley announced this development in an email to staff and students earlier this week, noting that Katharine Marvin will be handling matters related to the NMC Foundation moving forward. Art continues to flourish in TC today with the "Random Exhibition" featuring collages from the scrap pile, which began at 9 AM. Also, the "Small Works: Community Collage" project honoring the legacy of Joe Muer is ongoing through August, emphasizing our community's artistic spirit. Literature lovers can attend an author event with P.A. White at the Traverse Area District Library at 2 PM, while those looking for a festive afternoon can head to The Little Fleet for "One Last Luau" starting at 3 PM. Other ongoing weekend events include Black Star Farms Paella Night, Drag Bingo, and Live After 5. Sports enthusiasts should note that Olympic-level equestrian competition continues at the Traverse City Horse Shows. For those interested in environmental education, Antrim Conservation District is hosting Soil Health & Science Learning Days beginning at 9 AM, offering insights into sustainable practices. Whether you're seeking cultural enrichment, outdoor adventure, or community connection, Traverse City offers something special for everyone this beautiful June weekend. This has been Traverse City Local Frequency. We'll see you tomorrow with more local updates. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.