ESCANABA — The completion of the Upper Peninsula Military Museum, located in the multipurpose building at the U.P. State Fairgrounds, will be celebrated with a soft opening ceremony Thursday.

This event is set to take place from 4 to 6 p.m. Eastern time at the multipurpose building.

“It’s to recognize the men and women who have served and sacrificed in the military,” Upper Peninsula Military Museum Curator Ann Jousma-Miller said of the museum.

The museum also highlights the Upper Peninsula’s contributions to war efforts over the years.

A small group of people who have worked on and financially supported the Upper Peninsula Military Museum have been invited to the soft opening. Guests have been asked to wear masks, observe social distancing guidelines, and stay home if they are not feeling well.

After Oct. 8, the Upper Peninsula Military Museum will be open to members of the public during the multipurpose building’s regular operating hours. A grand opening event for the military museum has been tentatively set for the summer of 2021.