First Week Of August Happenings In The Blue Water Area

August is almost upon us. Don’t worry though, there’s still plenty of summer left and the Blue Water Area has a lot of events going on.

Michigan has more lighthouses than any other state. This weekend, the 4th annual Michigan Lighthouse Festival will be celebrating those in the ThumbCoast. Things kick off this Friday at the Fort Gratiot Light Station in Port Huronwith barbecue buffet dinner, entertainment from Empty Canvas and more. Over the weekend, lighthouse aficionados will be taking tours of the lighthouses in Harbor Beach, Pointe Aux Barques and Port Austin. Visit the Michigan Lighthouse Festival website for all the details.

The boogie is going to be full effect this weekend along the lakeshore. The Port Sanilac Blues Festival kicks off at 2pm on Friday with food vendors and a beer tent 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 features live music, a lighted boat parade, a sidewalk chart art contest food and a whole lot more! It starts on Friday and runs through Sunday. Find out more at www.maritimedays.net.

Other events this week include Rockin' The Rivers at Port Huron's Keifer Park on Thursday. Saturday finds St. Clair having a Mardi Gras Party and the Bi-Yak-A-Thon in going on in Harbor Beach.

Looking towards next weekend, the Yard Sale Trail is happening.

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

There's Still Plenty Of Summer Left: What's Happening This Weekend in the Blue Water Area

Even though this weekend is the last one for the month, there's still plenty of time left to celebrate summertime. The Blue Water Area has quite a few things happening over the weekend to finish up July and welcoming in August.

Come see what Port Huron has to offer, view the many cars, see old friends and make new ones this Saturday. The MainStreet Memories Car Show will many have sweet machines of the past up to modern times to check out downtown starting at 10am and through the afternoon. Find out more at their website.

Also in Port Huron this weekend, the Blue Water Volleygrass Festival is at Northern High School is Friday through Sunday.

How long will a cardboard boat float? How fast can an outhouse move? And, most importantly, who will be the next King and Queen of Bologna. All these questions and more will be answered at the Yale Bologna Festival this weekend. This 3-day weekend event closes the streets of Yale's downtown and transforms the community of just under 2,000 to a gathering of over 20,000 Bologna starved party-goers! Find out more at the Yale Bologna Festival website. 

The water is gonna roar and there's a party on the shore at St. Clair's Riverfest this weekend. 

On the St. Clair River thundering powerboats charge in a race to be the fastest machine on the water! 

On land, there will be a carnival midway along with live music from headlines Spin Doctors on Friday and Blue Oyster Cult on Saturday. Admission to the races and concerts are FREE! See the whole schedule of the action at the Riverfest website.

Port Crescent State Park takes a blast to the past this Saturday at the annual Vintage Camper Show. Last years saw Tin Can Tourists bringing close to 100 cool, classic and kitschy vintage trailers and campers to the park to show off and have people check out. Visit and see how your grandparents luxury camped. 

Another port along the eastern shores is having a party too. Starting Friday at 5pm with a barbecue and a beer tent, The Port Sanilac Summer Festival kicks off and runs through Sunday. Find a full schedule at their Facebook page.

Looking towards next week, the Robinson Memorial International Tennis Tournament starts in Port Huron on July 31st. 

August 2nd-4th finds the Michigan Lighthouse Festival happening in the Blue Water Area. That's also the weekend Maritime Days in Marine City. August 2nd & 3rd is when the Port Sanilac Blues Festival is going on too.

Find out the more about many things going on in Michigan's ThumbCoast at our events page. 

Set Sail For A Blue Water Adventure: What's Happening July 15-21 in Michigan's ThumbCoast

Festival time is in full swing in the Blue Water Area and this week, the celebrations are plenty.

Photo courtesy of the St. Clair County 4-H's Facebook page

Happening now and running through Saturday, July 20th, The St. Clair County 4-H Fair is going on in Goodells. 

The fair offers not only carnival rides and snack along with the many other things 4-H activities youth are involved in. Throughout the week attendees can also take in a Monster Truck show, visiting the petting farm, tour the Farm Museum and much more. See the full schedule here.

Port Huron's biggest event of the summer returns this week too. Featuring live music, food, boats and more, Blue Water Fest is an area tradition and this year provides the fun for the entire family.

Things kick off Wednesday, July 17th with the International Rotary Day Parade at 6:30pm. The parade route starts at Huron and Glenwood Avenue, runs through downtown Port Huron and ends at Oak Street.

Photo by Dale Merrill

Thursday, July 18th and Friday, July 19th will feature live music, beer tents, vendors, food, a carnival and more!

Thursday is Family Night. Among the things happening that evening is Operation Transformation's Outreach from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. by the 10th St. Bridge. It will include live pony rides, a petting zoo, Detroit Tiger mascot PAWS, grilled food & drinks and a whole lot more!

Family Night caps off with fireworks over the St. Clair River!

During Blue Water Fest Q Country 107 and WHLX "The Hills" presents a two-day country concert event with Boats and Boots!

Thursday night it's Lonestar and on Friday Reckless Kelly takes the big stage. You can get tickets for these two shows here.

Along with Lonestar and Reckless Kelly, there will be stages featuring local and regional musical artists playing throughout the weekend too.

Saturday morning is the Bell's Beer Bayview Port Huron to Mackinac Race. See the boats head out to the course throughout the morning along Black River and the St. Clair River and heading north to Lake Huron.

Photo by Dale Merrill

Get full details on the race at the Bayview Yacht Club page.

In Harbor Beach this Saturday experience exciting cart derby race in the same vein as the American Soapbox Derby Association at the Downhill Cart Derby.

Looking towards the rest of July:

• Baloney is the name of the game at the Yale Bologna Festival July 26th -28th. 
• The water is going to rumble and rock July 26th-28th at the St. Clair Riverfest and River Classic Offshore Powerboat Race.
• Many classic rides will fill the downtown Port Huron streets on Saturday, July 27th for the Mainstreet Memories Car Show.
• Take a blast to camping's past at Tin Can Tourist's Vintage Camper Show in Port Austin on July 27th.

Find out detail about these events and much more when you Discover The Blue at BlueWater.org

TBT: Port Huron's International Day Parade 1969

For this Throwback Thursday we go back to 1969. On that year, the International Day Parade was held on July 16th on that year which also happened to be the same day that the Apollo 11 was launched for it's a journey to land on the moon. None the less, people filled the streets of downtown Port Huron to watch the floats, marching bands and, as in this photo, the Lionettes majorettes passing in front of the Harrington, go by.

The parade in Port Huron this year is on Wednesday, July 17th. It serves as the kick off for the Blue Water Fest and Boat Weekend.

What are some of your favorite Blue Water Fest memories?

14 Great Beaches and Splash Pads In Michigan's ThumbCoast

Summer is upon us and cooling down from the heat is on the top of the list for families and kids.

Located in Michigan’s ThumbCoast, the Blue Water Area offers many public beaches to enjoy a day at the lake at. Along with them, there are several parks that feature splash pads too. Here are fourteen great beaches and splash pads to get in the water and to “Discover The Blue” of Michigan’s eastern shores.

St. Clair County

Clay Twp. Splash Park

Located on Pte Tremble Rd in Algonac, The Clay Township Splash Pad and Park sees a flurry of activity from the children on the playground and the water splash pad every summer.

Marine City Beach

Known as the farthest south sandy beach in St. Clair County, the Marine City Beach offers a barrier-free sidewalk, restrooms,  picnic tables, barbecue grills and shady, grassy areas to kick back and relax.

Marysville City Park & Chrysler Beach 

Marysville City Park offers many great amenities for a great summer day. Along with an extraordinary splash pad, the park also has plenty of shaded picnic areas as well as covered pavilions, several playground romps, baseball diamonds and fitness areas. Located directly across the street on the park's east side is Chrysler Beach. As one of the few sandy beaches along the St. Clair River, the location also boasts a gazebo that's a prime location for freighter watching.

Goodells County Park 

In the center of St. Clair County is Goodells County Park. It not only includes a splash pad for the kids to play in but also the location for the county's historical village, a farm museum which represents over 150 years of farming, a butterfly garden and many more things that promise a fun day in the outdoors.

Lighthouse Beach and Park

Right next to the Fort Gratiot Light Station is Port Huron's Lighthouse Park is one of the most historic places in the area. The beach touts over 900 feet of waterfront and beach on Lake Huron as well as a play area and many picnic spots under large trees.

Lakeside Beach Park and Splash Pad

On the clear waters of Lake Huron sits Lakeside Beach and Park in Port Huron. Boasting 1050 feet of water frontage with clean, sandy beaches, Lakeside includes lots of playground facilities, splash pad, picnic areas and restrooms are available. Beach volleyball is a popular activity and on the weekends there are lots of boats anchoring offshore.

Fort Gratiot County Park

Fort Gratiot County Park is located in the northern part of St. Clair County, just off M-25 on Metcalf Rd. This 30 acre park offers breathtaking views of Lake Huron and 852 feet of shoreline and beach. Facilities at the park include beach access, restrooms, wedding plaza, picnic areas as well as a children’s playground, Biggo Solo swing (ADA accessible) and close to a mile paved of walking trails.

Lakeport State Park

Lying along Lake Huron, Lakeport State Park provides southeast Michigan residents access to the Great Lakes. The park has two distinct units separated by the village of Lakeport. A total of 250 sites are divided between the two campgrounds.

Sanilac County 

Tierney Park

Sitting next to the Lexington State Harbor is Tierney Park, a public park with a beach on the shore of Lake Huron. This quaint park includes restrooms, a stage for music concerts, BBQs, picnic tables, volleyball court, swings and kids playscape. 

Lexington County Park

Nestled on 27 beautiful acres just 3 miles north of Lexington along M-25, the Lexington County Park offer not only a beach but electric or rustic campsites and a pavilion available to rent as well.

Forester Park 

6 miles north of Port Sanilac on M-25 along the scenic Lake Huron shoreline is Forester Park. Covering 68 acres the park offers a day-use area along rustic cabins, RV or tent camping.

Huron County

Lincoln Park & Trescott Pier

Sitting at the east end of Trescott Street in Harbor Beach is Lincoln Park. It has a nice sandy swimming beach, playground equipment, a picnic shelter, picnic tables, and restrooms.  A lengthy pier, called Trescott Street Pier, extends from the parking area, offering a scenic view of the lighthouse and Lake Huron.  A kayak can be launched from the north side of the park.

Bird Creek Park

Bird Creek Park is a seven acre day use park located in Port Austin. The first thing you notice at Bird Creek is the wooden boardwalk that goes halfway around the park along the beach with roofed picnic shelters overlooking the beach and the water. 

Port Crescent State Park

Situated on 600 acres, Port Austin's Port Crescent Park is located along 3 miles of shoreline on Lake Huron’s Saginaw Bay. Activities within the park include camping, hiking, swimming, canoeing, hunting, cross country skiing, bird watching, fishing, and picnicking.  There's a kayak launch site which is part of the Tip of the Thumb Heritage Water Trail.

Find out more about Michigan's ThumbCoast at bluewater.org

Parties At The Beach: What's happening this week in the Blue Water Area

Michigan's ThumbCoast has two big beach parties happening this week. Both of them serve up a unique kind of fun that only the eastern shores of Michigan can offer.

Photo by Dale Merrill

Now in its 7th year, The Blue Water SandFest is Michigan's first and only Master sand sculpting and Advanced Amateur competition/festival. For 3 days the grounds of the Fort Gratiot Light Station will see extraordinary sculptures crafted from sand and water that will dazzle and impress visitors to the site.

Voted one of the 10 Best festivals of its sort by USA Today, the Blue Water Sand Fest is much more than just checking out the impressive works of art. There will be an eclectic array of live music throughout the weekend, hands-on sculpting lessons, tours of the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse and much more.

The Blue Water Sandfest is July 12th through the 14th.

A city with Beach in its very name can't have a summer pass without having a beach party, right? From July 11th through the 14th, Harbor Beach does just that with their annual Maritime Festival. 

Among the things happening at the Martime Festival this year include a ton of live music, beach bocce and volleyball tournaments, frog jumping and hot dog eating contests, fireworks on Saturday night and jet ski races.

Other things happening this weekend in the Blue Water Area include the Port Sanilac Garden Club's Extraordinary Walk through Farms, Fields & Flowers and Led Zeppelin tribute act ZOSO at the Lexington Village Theater.

Looking towards next week, the St. Clair County 4-H Fair at Goodells County Park starts on July 15th and Port Huron's Blue Water Fest kicks off on July 17th with the Rotary Parade.

Find out all the happenings at our events page.

Red, White and the Blue Water Area: Celebrating Independence Day Weekend in Michigan's ThumbCoast

The 4th of July celebrations will be plentiful this week. Picnics and parties are on many agendas to celebrate. Two of the main things that people look forward to during the holiday are fireworks displays and parades. Many of Blue Water Area communities will be having both.

Thursday, July 4th, Port Austin starts off with floats and pageantry with a parade at 1pm. At dusk, families and friends will gather at Bird Creek County Park, Veterans Waterfront Park, Port Austin State Harbor and along the shoreline to watch the fireworks.

St. Clair invites you to grab and blanket or lawn chair and sit down along their newly renovated boardwalk on the evening of the 4th around dusk. That's when their fireworks happen over the river too.

Algonac will be having fireworks on July 5th as part of their annual Pickerel Tournament and Festival which runs from the 3rd through the 7th.

Lexington is celebrating Independence Day on the 5th & 6th with fireworks down along the harbor on Friday Night. On Saturday morning, there will be a parade. Saturday evening, The Invasion bring the sounds of the 1960s to Tierney Park.

Just a ten-minute drive north from Lexington is Port Sanilac. They're having fireworks on Saturday night.

Looking towards next week, The Harbor Beach Maritime Festival is happening July 11-14. The "party on the beach" will feature live music entertainment, dancing, a pet parade, a Bocce Ball tournament, kids’ inflatables, concessions, and fireworks over the harbor and much more.

The Blue Water SandFest comes to the grounds of the Fort Gratiot Light Station in Port Huron from July 12th through the 14th. Now in its 7th year, Sandfest is Michigan’s first and only master sand sculpting and advanced amateur competition and festival. Each year, SandFest brings more and more people from all around to see the sculptures, listen to live music and much more.

Along the beautiful St. Clair riverfront, many classic cars and trucks will be on display throughout the day at the Annual River Classic Car Show on Saturday, the 13th.

The middle of July also brings the St. Clair County 4-H Fair to Goodells July 15th-20th.  

The Blue Water Fest and Port Huron to Mackinac Boat Race from July 17th through the 20th.

Find out more about these and the many other summer events happening around the Blue Water Area at our events page.