Hamilton sisters named Citizen of the Year during annual Fisherman’s Picnic

The 97th Annual Fisherman’s Picnic kicked off in downtown Grand Marais on Thursday, July 30. Festivities, live music, and events continued through August 2.

Each year, on the final day of the annual event, the Grand Marais Lions Club names someone in the Cook County community as ‘Citizen of the Year’.  This year, Anna and Sarah Hamilton of the non-profit Hamilton Habitat were honored with the award.

“Pretty darn grateful,” Anna Hamilton said after receiving the award. “The acknowledgment is really nice.”

Hamilton Habitat is a local nonprofit focused on housing in Cook County. Over the years, the organization has built homes and completed repair and accessibility projects for local residents with the help of volunteers and community partners.

WTIP spoke with Anna Hamilton after receiving the award. Audio below.

Every year, the Lions Club holds a raffle and gives away prizes.

List of top prize winners below:

$10,000 – Amanda McKay

$1,000 – Dan Bockovich

$500 – Sam Crowley

See the full list of prize winners here.

Photos by Chuck Olsen of the 97th annual Fisherman’s Picnic below:

Kalli Hawkins August 3, 2026