Where's the scares? Here's some October frightful fun for the Blue Water Area!

Halloween is creeping up closer every day. The ghosts and ghouls will be making the bumps in the night often through the month of October and the Blue Water Area has quite a few things happening where you can be part of a hauntingly good time.

The buildings of the Sanilac County Historical Village and Museum in Port Sanilac all have a storied past. Did you know some of them might be ghost stories though? On the evenings of Saturday, October 13th and the 20st, spirits of the past lurk the grounds and structures at the Haunted Village and Spook Walk. Come warm up around the bonfire and sample goodies at the Food Boooooth after getting chills from a walk through the cemetery in the woods and meeting the likes Wicked Witch, Dr. Loop, the Mad Hatter and the Grim Reaper.

Would you like to take a straaange journey? How about one into the world’s favorite rock’n’roll musical! The Rocky Horror Show Live! returns for its eighth season to the McMorran Place Theatre in Port Huron. Running October 19th, 20th, 26th and 27th, tickets are now available at the McMorran box office and Ticketmaster. Come down and be a part of one of the Bluewater Area's favorite Halloween traditions!

It's wouldn't be Halloween without a hayride and a corn maze at an apple orchard...especially if they're said to be haunted. On Friday and Saturday evenings through October 27th, McCallum's Orchard in Grant Twp. will be presenting Haunted Nights. Find out more about the frightful family fun here.

As Count Dracula begins to exert his will upon the residents of London, they try to piece together the clues of his appearances—in a valiant attempt to save themselves from a hideous fate. Rich with both humor and horror, this stageplay at the Citadel Stage in Port Huron paints a wickedly theatrical picture of Stoker's famous vampire. This production runs through the month of October. Get your tickets here.

What would October be without some scary movies? This year enjoy two full nights of them at two different locations in Port Huron. Desmond District Demons will be presenting horrifying competition of independently produced horror films from all around the world at the Sperry’s Moviehouse on the 26th & 27th. Check out what movies will be showing and how to get tickets at the Desmond District Demons website.

On the last Saturday of October (and just a couple days before the trick or treaters come to your door) enjoy Halloween in Lexington with Children's Costume Parade, Pet Costume Parade, Children's Activities & More!

Also on October 27th, Port Huron City Rec invites lovers of candy to join them at Sanborn Park at 10am for a Halloween Stroll. To register for this event click here.

To find out more about these happenings along with plenty of other things going on around the area you can Discover The Blue at our events page.

Boat The Blue in Port Huron this weekend

When crossing over Port Huron's 7th and 10th street bridges this week, your eyes may spot what looks like quite a few vessels dating from the 1940's and possibly even before.

Be assured, your eyes are not deceiving you as Port Huron is the host city for the Antique & Classic Boat Society's International Boat Show this year.

Dubbed Boat The Blue, this event will bring around 200 classic and vintage boats to the Blue Water Area, for a week full of events for its owners and then caps off with open the public show at Port Huron's River Street Marina this Friday and Saturday.

Among the events for the free show this weekend include a Cruiser Open House on Friday and Saturday from 11am – 2pm. There will free boat rides in a classic boat on Saturday from at that time as well.

Events for children including toy boat painting, face painting, Tootsie the clown, minnow races, knot tying, and much more are available on Saturday from 11am-2am.  Free Parking is located at the St. Clair Community College.  A vendor area featuring boat related art, crafts, parts as well as food and drinks will also be available.

Many of the boats on display this week do have plenty Blue Water Area history connected to them.

At the age of 13, Christopher Columbus Smith built his first boat in the city of Algonac. By 1881, his skiffs had been known across the Great Lakes, so he and his brother Frank went into building boats full time. In 1922, Smith and his family formed the Chris Smith and Son Boat Company, producing fast and economically priced runabouts for the general public. During World War II the company, now known as Chris Craft, the company 12,000 military vessels such as patrol boats, utility launches, and rescue vessels for the United States Navy and Army.

Following World War II, the American economy started to grow immensely. Families had more money to spend on fun things.  Boats were high on a lot of people's lists and the company's vessels, from the finest mahogany, their boats were considered to be the best available.

In 1948, Algonac based boat company Chris Craft promoted their new lines of pleasure boats for that year with this ad geared to those who were looking for to enjoy time out on the water.

Though Chris Craft built custom vessels for superstars such as Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley, even their lower-priced boats were known for their high quality by using woods like mahogany and teak as well as having many luxury items most other boats did not come with. Within ten years Chris Craft became virtually synonymous with pleasure boating, offering 159 different models and became the sales leader in many categories of small civilian powerboats.

Photo by Dale Merrill

If you're going to be checking out the boats docked at the marina this week or weekend and posting photos of them on Instagram or Twitter, don't forget to use the hashtags #BoatTheBlue and #DiscoverTheBlue when sharing them. On Instagram, you can also tag them with @boattheblue and @discoverthebluewaterarea.

Find out more about the 2018 Antique and Classic Boat Society International Boat Show: Boat The Blue at their website.

Relaxing Adventures For Labor Day Weekend

Though we most likely have quite a few warm weather days ahead of us still, Labor Day weekend traditionally marks the end of summer for many. There are many events happening over the long weekend to say farewell to the season.

Now in its 15th year, it is safe to say that Thumbfest has become a tradition in Lexington, Michigan. Featuring multiple stages, workshops, jam sites, children’s stage area, dance, craft/food vendors and a hootenanny at the end of the night, Thumbfest 2018 will be held in the village’s Tierney Park on
Saturday. It starts at 11 am and will have a wide variety of music ranging from Celtic,
blues, bluegrass and gypsy to New Orleans brass, Americana, roots and folk. Bring your lawn chair or blanket, your friends and family and voice and join in on the fun. Find the full schedule at the
Thumbfest website.

What started as a backyard party at a home in Fort Gratiot Township has now grown into a
celebration at St. Clair County’s largest public park. The annual BlueChiliGrass Festival is at
Goodells County Park on Sunday and Monday and will feature continuous music on 2 stages and a chili cook-off.

Before heading to BlueChiliGrass on Monday, why not Trek The Trestle? This five mile Labor Day
event has been held annually since 2007. The walk starts at 9 am at the at the Avoca Road Trailhead
in Downtown Avoca and crosses the 640ft. Mill Creek trestle, the longest bridge of its kind in the
state of Michigan. The Trestle Trek is one of the Labor Day Community Walks that are held
throughout the state in conjunction with the Mackinac Bridge Labor Day Walk. Community Walks help provide a similar experience to residents unable to participate in the annual walk across the Mighty Mac.

When you dip a chip do you like it mild? Or perhaps spicy is your thing.No matter your flavor preference this Saturday's Salsa Tasting in Harbor Beach has something to tantalize your taste buds from 11 in the morning to 2 pm. Your tour begins at the Harbor Beach Visitor’s Center where you purchase a button and ballot for $2. Then stroll downtown following your map to be sure to stop at all salsa tasting locations. After you are done vote for your favorite.

Don't wait til noon to start your adventure in Harbor Beach this Saturday though. Hop on the boat taxi and take a ride out to tour the Harbor Beach Lighthouse. The taxi leaves the Harbor Beach Marina starting at 9:20 am and then about every 20 minutes until 40 minutes before closing time. Tickets are $20 each and also include admission to the Harbor Beach Grice House Museum, which houses the original Fresnel Lens from the lighthouse.  Find out more about the Harbor Beach Lighthouse at their website.

If browsing some art is your thing, the Blue Water Area has a couple shows that are just the thing for Labor Day weekend too.

Port Austin's Art In The Park will have many original artworks to look at and for sale for sale this Saturday and Sunday. With a wide array of mediums including everything from watercolor, oil, acrylic and photography to decorative iron work, stained and fused glass, gourd art, hand carved ice fishing decoys, and wearable art, there is sure to be something to catch your eye. Art In The Park is presented by the Thumb Arts Guild.

From one end of the Blue Water Area to the other the city of Algonac is holding its Annual Art Fair this Saturday and Sunday too. With the St. Clair River serving as a picturesque backdrop, the fair was started in 1972 and has continued ever since. With around 100 artists as well as entertainment for all ages this fair is a fine way to spend the day in the river flats region of the Blue Water Area. Find out more about the Algonac Art Fair at their website.

Just a quick ferry ride over from Algonac is Harsens Island. This weekend they'll be having days filled with family fun! The Harsens Island Lions Club Turkey Shoot happening includes parades, food and beer tent, live music, dancing, 50/50 drawings and daily raffles along with kids, teens and young adults games and activities. Find out more by visiting the Harsens Island Lions Club on Facebook.

Discover all the happenings around the Blue this month at our events page.

Celebrating Hot Wheels and Harvest Time: What's happening this weekend in the Blue Water Area

He's got a star on his car and one on his chest. That's the way Junior Brown starts out his story of the highway patrol.

This weekend him and his "guit-steel" (a double-necked hybrid of electric guitar and lap steel guitar that he fashioned himself) will be telling that tale along with many other honk-tonk yarns when he headlines Marysville's Hot Wheels Weekend this Saturday.

Along with Junior on several other bands, there will be many cool old cars on display along with an appearance from Catherine Bach aka the Daisy Duke from the original Dukes Of Hazzard TV series.

On the 4th weekend of August every year the St. Clair County Farm Museum gives you a taste of Yesteryear. It is a celebration of American heritage and a salute to our forefathers and women that made America great. At the Harvest Festival, which runs from Friday through Sunday, this weekend antique tractors, equipment, hit and miss engines, homesteading and fashions from the era will be on display and the history of daily life will be relived.

Looking for your lost shaker salt? You may find it in Lexington this weekend as it is MargaritaFest time in the village. It great time to get tropical on Michigan's eastern shores.

If craft beer and fine wine are more of your thing, visit Algonac for a Sip of Summer this Saturday. The Waterfront Beer, Wine & Cocktail Festival will feature 100+ beers and wines from over 40 breweries and wineries from across the state and around the globe. Get tickets and more info here.

Next weekend marks not only the end of the month but Labor Day weekend as well. Amongst the things to do over that three day weekend include art shows in Algonac and Port Austin, Thumbfest in Lexington, the Harsens Island Turkey Shoot, Harbor Beach's SalsaFest, BlueChiliGrass in Goodells and the Trestle Trek. Find out about many of the things happening at our events page.

Snazzy Boats and Jazzy Music: What's happening this week in the Blue Water Area

From Sanilac County to St. Clair and points beyond, the Blue Water Area has quite a few things to see and do this weekend.

This Friday & Saturday, August 17th & 18th take a stroll back in time at the Antique Boat and Vintage Show in Port Sanilac. The annual festival features a wide array of antique and classic boats and these beautiful wood vessels are a must see if you appreciate craftsmanship. Tin Can Tourists will also be setting up their unique campers in the Harbor Park, adjacent to the Port Sanilac marina.

If you are going to be checking out the show on Friday, you have the rare opportunity of taking a tour of the Port Sanilac Lighthouse between 11AM and 3PM too.

Speaking of lighthouse tours. On Saturdays, hop on the boat taxi and take a tour of the Harbor Beach light. Tours run from 9AM to Noon through September 22nd (weather permitting of course.)

The Fort Gratiot Light Station in Port Huron is also open for tours each day through September 3rd from 10AM to 5pm.

The sounds of jazz fill the air this Saturday at St. Clair's Palmer Park.

The 3rd Annual St. Clair Jazz Festival features the music of Detroit based and world-renowned flutist Alexzander Zonjic, jazz/funk guitarist Jeff Lorber and many more. This free festival starts at 1PM and runs to 9pm.

Events in the weeks to come include Hot Wheels Weekend in Marysville, St. Clair County Farm Museum Harvest Festival in Goodells and Lexington's Maragarita Fest. Find out about them and plenty more at our events page.

Treasure Hunt Along the Blue Water Coast

The Blue Water Area and all of Michigan's Thumb will see a lot of hunters this weekend. Bargain Hunters that is as it is time for the 16th annual Yard Sale Trail. 

Starting in New Baltimore and Clay Township to the south and Port Austin and on to Sebawaing to the north, the trail covers around 200 miles of yard and garage sales on along M-25 and M-29 on Michigan's eastern coast.

From kitsch to classics and everything in between can be found along the route which begins about 8 a.m. and lasts throughout the weekend.

M-25 and M-29 are state highways and will be busy and law enforcement offer a few bits of advice for those shopping and checking out the trail.

• Give vehicles in front of you a more bit of extra space as many will be slowing down and pulling over to check out the many locations having sales  
• Pay extra attention to pedestrians crossing the highway. There will be many out there and some may be in a blind spot.
• Don’t park near intersections as it can obstruct other drivers vision for a time to cross the road.
• Remember that drivers cannot park on a fog line or be over the fog line in the road, or park less than 15 feet from a fire hydrant.  

If your adventure on the sale trail finds you in Harbor Beach on Saturday, check out AG Venture Day where you can stroll the downtown streets to get up close to the equipment and talk with local farmers.

Along with the Yard Sale Trail during the day this weekend, there are quite a few live shows happening in the evening. On the theater scene, The Port Huron Civic Theater presents Footloose at McMorran Place, The Citadel Stage has a production of Shakespeare's MacBeth and the Riverbank Theatre In Marine City hosts the Dixie Swim Club.

Live music this week includes Magic Bus: Sounds of the Woodstock Era at Port Huron's Rockin' The Rivers on Thursday and Detroit blues legend Thornetta Davis plays a free show in Lexington's Tierney Park on Friday.

Looking towards next weekend Port Sanilac has their Antique Boat and Vintage Show and St. Clair hosts their annual jazz festival.

Find out more about all the things to see and do when you Discover The Blue at our events page. 

Blue Water to the Blues: What's happening the first weekend of August on Michigan's eastern shores

If you're one of many who has looked at the calendar and thought "August is already here. This summer has been flying by fast" you're not the only one.

The thing is though there IS still plenty of summer left and the eastern shores of Michigan have plenty of things going on.

From the Blues to the Blue and the Grey. Port Sanilac has it happening this weekend.

The boogie is going to be full effect on Friday along the lakeshore. The Port Sanilac Blues Festival kicks off at 3pm and runs through Saturday evening.

It's a battle of the Blue and the Grey in Port Sanilac this weekend too. Check out Civil War Days at the Sanilac County Historical Museum and Village on Saturday & Sunday for battles and skirmishes, an artillery demonstration, fashion show and more.

Promising a fantastic atmosphere with a wide variety of two dimensional and 3-D professional artists, the Lexington Fine Arts Street Fair will provide spectacular music, tasty food vendors and raffles. It runs this Saturday and Sunday.

Starting on Friday and running through Sunday, Marine City's Maritime Days feature 3 stages of live music, a lighted boat parade, an arts & crafts Show, antique tractors, Jet-Ski races, food and a whole lot more! It starts on Friday and runs through Sunday.

Other events this week include Rockin' The Rivers at Port Huron's Keifer Park on Thursday and the Harsens Island Field Day on Saturday. Also on Saturday is St. Clair's Mardi Gras Party and the Bi-Yak-A-Thon in Harbor Beach.

Looking towards next weekend, the Yard Sale Trail is happening, Marysville has its Art In The Park, and Detroit's Queen of the Blues, Thornetta Davis, plays at Lexington's Concerts In The Park.

Find many things to do and see around the Blue Water Area at our events page.

The County Fair to Cart Racing: What's happening this week in the Blue Water Area

Each July, when the stables and stalls at Goodells County Park are teeming with movement of not only humans but horses, cows and many other creatures, it can only mean one thing. It's time for the St. Clair County 4-H Fair.

Named one of the best family fairs in the state of Michigan, the fair opened today and runs through Saturday the 21st. Along with the usual fare such as a carnival, fried treats and livestock shows and auctions, the St Clair County 4-H Fair also has entertainment throughout the park each and every day.

Admission to the fair is $7 per person.  Children 8 and under are always free and no charge for parking. There's also an option of a daily admission for $20 at the gate.  Each daily admission admits one car and all occupants on the date purchased.

Every summer Harbor Beach's Trescott St. has many people on it heading down to the water. One Saturday each July though there's transportation a little more unusual than a normal making way to the shore.

Based on the same type of set up one would see at an American Soapbox Derby Association competition, it's time for the annual Harbor Beach Cart Derby on Saturday, July 21st.

This community event, co-sponsored by the City of Harbor Beach and The American Legion, is open to ages 8 years old an up with four division competing throughout the day.

The first green flag drops at 9 in the morning with the over 18 group and races continue through to around 2 in the afternoon. Come on down, cheer them on and make summertime fun memories for the young and young at heart.

See photos and more from last year's derby at the Harbor Beach and American Legion Cart Derby Facebook page.

This Saturday, the Sanilac County Historic Village and Museum in Port Sanilac celebrates folkies to Flower Power with the Singin' the Sixties Festival. All across the village's grounds, there will be music and discussion of the decade that changed history forever.

Looking towards next weekend, Riverfest and River Classic Offshore Powerboat Race roars into St. Clair, the Mainstreet Memories car show is in Port Huron, vintage and classic campers show off at Port Austin's Port Cresent St. Park, Port Sanilac has its annual summer festival, Harsens Island is having its Roots Music Festival and the city of Yale throws a party of bologna.

Discover the Blue when you check out all the happenings at our events page.

Pickerel and other picks for this coming weekend

If you're asking yourself "What to see? Where to go?" this coming weekend, check out what's happening in the Blue Water Area.

Presented by the Algonac Lions Club, the Algonac Pickerel Festival enters its 80th year in 2018 and is full of fun for the family the entire weekend.

Festivities kick off Wednesday with the start of the fishing tournament itself but along with a carnival midway that opens at 5pm that afternoon other activities, such as the Kids & Pet Parade and donut eating contest are on the slate for the day too. Thursday events include a magic show and a pie eating contest.

Things kick into high gear on the weekend at the Festival. Friday features live music tributes to Garth Brooks, Micheal Jackson and the Eagles throughout the evening and afternoon. Other events for the day include a horseshoe competition and a kids watermelon eating contest.

Saturday morning starts out with a 5k Run/Walk and a pancake breakfast. Day events include a duck race, a hot dog eating contest and a local talent show. One of the big favorites of the festival, the Antique Boat Parade is at 4pm. Live music in the evening includes Moving In Stereo (A tribute to the Cars) and Teddy Petty and the Refugees playing the hits of Tom Petty.

There will be fireworks on BOTH Friday and Saturday along the Algonac riverfront (weather permitting of course.)

To wrap things up on Sunday, there's a parade at 2pm and awards for the pickerel tournament at 6pm.

Click here to see the complete schedule for the 2018 Algonac Lions Club Pickerel Festival.

On Saturdays this summer you can tour the historical Harbor Beach Breakwater Lighthouse by taking the one mile from shore boat taxi ride between 9am and noon.

In Lexington this Saturday they'll be answering the question of "Who's Bad" when the ultimate Michael Jackson tribute band takes the stage at the Village Theater at 8pm.

The live stage scene in the Blue Water Area this weekend includes Rosie the Riveter at the Barn Theater in Port Sanilac, Port Huron's Citadel Stage presentation of the Odd Couple and Thoroughly Modern Millie at the Riverbank Theater in Marine City.

Looking toward next week, there are fireworks displays all over the Blue Water Area to celebrate the 4th of July and the Blue Water Sand Fest in Port Huron starts on July 6th.

Find out all the things that are happening at our events page.

Fun For Fathers Day Weekend

Father's Day is this Sunday. If you're like me, you are probably still racking your brain about what to get dear old dad. You don't want to be "that person" who goes for the old standbys like a tie or something like that. There's the dilemma of figuring out what he may want though. I don't know how many times I've tried to find hints of something he might want but most of the time he pretty much says "I have everything in the world I need."

The solution? Why not take him out and spend some time with him this weekend. The Blue Water Area has a few things going on that might be right up his alley.

First things first, even if pops says he doesn't want any gifts, he's probably just being nice. I mean, who doesn't enjoy opening a gift, right? But what if you end up waiting right before the last minute to get him one?

This Saturday, June 16th, the Grand Trunk Marketplace in Port Huron will have 40 vendors inside and many outside for a Father's Day flea market. You never know what kind of unique item you'll find for pops there.

When you're young your dad is bigger than life. And what should a bigger than life fellow have? A big truck, right?

This Saturday there will plenty of big rig on display for the big man at the Harbor Beach Truck Show. From the super semi's that ply the highways to the trusty workhorses that run the back roads, trucks of all shapes and sizes with buffed and shined to show off. Who knows, maybe you can even talk someone into letting your dad up in the cab so he can blow the horn.

What dad doesn't enjoy great storytelling and jokes? Take him out to see comedian Norm Stulz at the Lexington Village Theater. Norm's a father of three and talks about plenty of things parents will laugh along with.

Also up Lexington way on Saturday night are the Mountain Babies at the Water Tower Sports Pub. The Water Tower has been voted one of the top ten best pizza places in the state of Michigan according to MLive and the Mountain Babies laid back rural psychedelia sound can often be reminiscent of Neil Young. What dad doesn't dig Neil Young, right? 

Think about taking the ol' man out for a brew this weekend. The Blue Water Area has three great craft breweries making tasty suds. In Marysville, the Harsens Island Brewery opens their doors at 9am to fill pints all day as well offering several different Father's Day dinner specials. If you're just looking for a quick one or two to sip with him, don't forget that War Water Brewing in St. Clair and the Lexington Brewing Company are welcoming you and dad to belly up to the bar this weekend as well.

Perhaps your plan is to take your father out for breakfast on Sunday but you don't know where yet. Every year Kate's Downtown in Port Huron has a brunch based around bacon, beer and bourbon. This year is no different. Spots for it fill up fast though so if you need some seats to it contact the cafe at 810-984-2233.

Looking toward things happening in the following weekend, the Blue Water Cruise Weekend is June 22nd & 23rd, Porch Fest in Port Austin is happening and the St. Clair Art Fair runs the 23rd and 24th as is Civil War Weekend in Lexington. 

Find out about more things happening this summer around the Greater Port Huron area at our events page.

Happy Father's Day!

From local artists and shiny chrome to sipping brews and state settlers: What's happening this weekend in the Blue Water Area

All along Michigan's eastern shores, there's plenty going plenty to see and do this weekend. Let's take a look at some of the events happening in the Blue Water Area for it.

Art On The River, a two day art and music festival, has become a tradition for the second weekend of June in Port Huron. This year they're shaking things up a bit. The family friendly event with art workshops, hands on art, music to dance to and food to enjoy will still be happening on Saturday and Sunday but also this year they're adding Friday night to the mix with a dance party and beer tent.

Over the weekend, Art on The River will play host to many different artists and musicians including 4 time Detroit Music Award winner Barbara Payton, who is the headline act at the festival on Saturday evening this year.

On Saturday, June, 9th see hot rods, custom and muscle cars at Rumble In The Park at Marysville Park.  The next day, the park will host stock and unmodified rides that are at least twenty five years old for The Past and It's Wheels. This show well known for having quite a few Wills Sainte Claire cars. Wills built approximately 12,000 cars between 1921 and '26 in a Marysville factory. There are only 75 remaining in the entire world.

Just a ten minute drive from Marysville is St. Clair. On the evening of the 9th, you can sip on many hop, barley and malt beverages at the St Clair Beer and Wine Festival. The festival, which will take place at St. Clair's Riverview Plaza courtyard, features over 100 beers, wines and craft cocktails from more than 40 breweries, wineries & distilleries from across the state and around the globe. Tickets are available here.

This weekend Native, Voyageurs & Settlers Days are at the Sanilac County Museum & Historical Village in Port Sanilac. At this event, families can expect to have talks and demonstrations that include beeswax candle making, showing furs, rope making, cooking and much more. Everyone is invited to come experience and learn about the rich history connected with the voyagers, Coureurs de Bois native Americans and early settlers of our Great Lakes. It runs from 10am-4pm this Saturday and Sunday.

On the live stage scene, Hypnotist Amye Scharlau is at Lexington Village Theatre on Friday. Also, the Snug Theater in Marine City presents "Two Across" and Lewis Black's "One Slight Hitch" is at the Barn Theater in Port Sanilac this weekend.

Find out more when you Discover The Blue at our events page.