Labor Day Weekend in Michigan's ThumbCoast

Here we are at the end of August already. I know many of us are asking "Where did summer go?" Don't fret though, as there's always something happening in the Blue Water Area. 
Especially for Labor Day weekend which is this weekend. Check out some of the things going on.

Now in its 16th year, it is safe to say that ThumbFest has become a tradition in Lexington, Michigan.  The event highlights great local and regional musicians playing music, teaching workshops, and sitting in on jams. Bring your instrument (and maybe your lawn chair) and join in all the great music!

Find the full schedule at ThumbFest's Facebook page.

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. 

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. 

A wide array of mediums including everything from watercolor, oil, acrylic and photography to decorative ironwork, stained and fused glass, gourd art and much more will be on display.

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. 

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 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.

Summer's Not Over Yet: What's Happening This Weekend in Michigan's ThumbCoast

August is winding down and September is just around the corner. While many are getting into back to school mode, that doesn't mean there still isn't a bit of summer left to enjoy. This weekend, the Blue Water Area has a lot of fun to take part in.

Led by guitarist, singer and songwriter Jamie James, the Kingbees made their mark on the charts with a song that helped usher in the rockabilly revival (and giving it a bit of new wave flash) with "My Mistake" and "Shake Bop" in the early 80s. 

Following that, the band then appeared on American Bandstand and in the film The Idolmaker. The band split in the mid 80s but reformed a few years ago and have been playing shows regularly since. This Saturday, they'll be heading lining Hot Wheels Weekend in Marysville.

Hot Wheels Weekend kicks off on Friday evening with a classic car cruise at 6:00 pm on Friday and then a showing of the 2004 remake film of the classic TV show "Starsky and Hutch." On Saturday, things kick off at noon. Along with many classic cars on display, there will be from The Volcanos, The Lords Of The Highway and more. Butch Patrick aka Eddie Munster and Paul Micheal Glaser, star of the original Starsky and Hutch television show will be on hand to meet with fans and sign autographs.  Find out more about Hot Wheels Weekend at their Facebook page.

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 Days, 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 ThumbCoast.

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.

Smooth Jazz and Sweet Boats: What's happening this week in the Blue Water Area

From Sanilac County to St. Clair and points beyond, the Blue Water Area has some fun things to do this weekend.

This Friday & Saturday, August 16th & 17th 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.

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

The 4th Annual St. Clair Jazz Festival. Detroit based and world-renowned flutist Alexander Zonjic will be headlining the festival this year. There is no charge for this event which starts at 1PM and runs to 9pm.

Some other events this week include Rockin' The Rivers at Port Huron's Kiefer Park, Dave Bennett’s Rockin’ the 50’s at Lexington's Music in the Park on Friday and the Citadel Stage in Port Huron presents Shakespeare's A Midsommer Nights Dreame.

Looking towards next week Hot Wheels Weekend is happening Marysville, St. Clair County Farm Museum Harvest Festival is in Goodells and and Lexington will be having Maragarita Fest. Find out about them and plenty more at our events page.

Miles of Treasures and much more: What's Happening This Week in Michigan's ThumbCoast

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 17th 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. on Friday 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 Citadel Stage has a production of A Midsommers Nights Dreame and the Riverbank Theatre In Marine City hosts Grease!

Live music this week includes Eagles tribute band Hotel California at Rockin' The Rivers in Port Huron on Thursday and Lynyrd Skynyrd member Artimus Pyle and his band play the Lexington Village Theater 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.