Monday, June 4, 2018

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.
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Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Summer is already off to a great start in the Blue Water Area

Though the calendar says summer doesn't officially start until June, 21st, the warm weather events are already starting to go into full swing in the Blue Water Area.

First, let's take a peek at what's happening in Port Huron this weekend.


Starting at 10 AM on Saturday, June 2nd is Be a Tourist in Your Own Town which features many of Port Huron’s signature attractions and many at no charge. Be A Tourist is a chance for visitors and area residents to discover and rediscover the attractions and history that brands Port Huron the Maritime Capital of the Great Lakes.

See the list of the things to see and do at Port Huron's Be A Tourist In Your Own Town here.


The Blue Water Sturgeon Festival offers close encounters with lake sturgeon, the “Gentle Giants of the Great Lakes”. 

It kicks off at 8 in the morning this Saturday with Run With The Sturgeon, a 5K race and 1K fun run along the beautiful Blue Water River Walk on the shores of the St. Clair River.

At 10 AM the festival opens at the Great Lakes Maritime Center and Vantage Point. Check out the full list of activities at the Sturgeon Festival's website.


Also on Saturday, Harbor Beach's Pro King Fishing Tournament is a going on. It's a contest where all anglers fish with the same spoon.



Saturday evening, the Obitsuns (featuring Vinnie of 90's alternative rock hitmakers Sponge) bring their Motor City Outlaw Country to the Lexington Village Theater.

The summer live theater scene is blossoming again. The Barn Theater in Port Sanilac kicks off their summer season with Louis Black's One Small Hitch. In Marine City, Two Across starts its run a the Snug Theater. Port Huron's Citadel Stage present their production of the Odd Couple starting on June 15.

Looking towards next weekend, Shiny chrome and high gloss paint will be glittering in the sun at Marysville Park.


On Saturday, June, 9th see hot rods, custom and muscle cars at Rumble In The Park.  The next day, stock and unmodified rides at least twenty five years old will be shown off at 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.

Also on the 9th & 10th, Art On the River is in happening in Port Huron and Native, Voyageurs & Settlers Days are at the Sanilac County Museum & Historical Village.

Find out more when you Discover The Blue at our events page.
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Friday, May 4, 2018

The 2018 Harbor Beach Game Show Series is set to be their most advanced and most-expensive show yet


What started as a fun experiment eight years ago, the Harbor Beach Game Show Series has now become a Mother’s Day tradition in the Huron County town. This year show is on track to produce their most advanced and most-expensive show yet.


According to Clark Ramsey, the show’s executive producer and host, this year’s production has been in the works for nearly three years. Ramsey said, “When we celebrated our five-year anniversary show, we decided it was time to double down and take the show to the next level. That bet is coming to fruition this year. Our website is finally up-and-running, the ticket sale structure has been updated and the show itself is more technologically-advanced than ever before in our history.”


Typically, HBGS debuts a new game to play each year; May 2018 will bring that number to ten: $100,000 Pyramid, Minute to Win It, Family Feud, Card Sharks, Wheel of Fortune, Match Game, Let’s Make a Deal, Password Plus, Press Your Luck and Hollywood Squares. With each game, the set and construction has become more complex, with none greater than Hollywood Squares.


Planning began shortly after Labor Day 2017 and will be the largest and tallest set in the show’s eight-year history. Spanning 21 feet across and 15 feet tall, Hollywood Squares has been in construction since early April. When completed, the set will contain nine video inputs, 450 feet of XLR audio cable, 225 feet of cat6 internet cable and 147 feet of addressable LED lighting – all being controlled by a team backstage. The Hollywood Squares set is an exact replica of what was on television in the early 1970s, with the exception of newer technology.


Press Your Luck, which debuted last year, is set to kick off the 2018 edition of the HBGS. Complete with real-life Whammys and a state-of-the-art game board, Press Your Luck has quickly become
a crowd favorite. Ed Klump and Rob Little will be the featured Whammys again this year. On top of being a Whammy, Rob Little, a national stand-up comedian act and Maxim Magazine’s
Comedian of the Year, will warm up the crowd starting at 6:40pm. NBC’s Last Comic Standing called Rob Little the “Happiest Comic in America” and the “Top Cruise Line Comedian” by Carnival
Cruise Lines.


The Harbor Beach Gameshow Series takes place Saturday, May 12th at 7pm at the Harbor Beach Community Theatre. All proceeds benefit the Harbor Beach Maritime Festival. Runtime is
approximately two hours and 20 minutes with an intermission. Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased online at HBgameshow.com
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Wednesday, April 25, 2018

5 Nature Trails to Explore in the Blue Water Area

As Michigan’s earth begins to flush with color again, the bright vegetation and spring breezes are a refreshing boost in the Blue Water Area.  If you are ready to get outside and enjoy the natural wonders that sprout on this beautiful planet, along with a few man-made additions that make it a little easier on us humans, here are 5 nature trails to check out this spring:

Fort Gratiot Bike Path & Nature Preserve – Keewahdin Road, Fort Gratiot

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You’d never guess this nature preserve is a stone’s throw from one of the busiest commercial corridors in the Blue Water Area (one entrance is right behind Meijer in Fort Gratiot).  This park is easily accessible and once you’re there, the buzz of traffic fades away to the hum of nature in its glory.  The nature preserve expands across 90 acres of woodland, ponds, wetlands and trails.  The wide, paved walking path takes visitors along serenely wooded terrain and makes a complete loop around the large pond.  The pond is a fond spot for swans and birds, plus it’s open for catch-and-release fishing.  An observation deck lets visitors lean over for a closer look at the fish, frogs, turtles and other active pond species.
Walking Terrain: paved path
Distance: 3.7 miles

Chrysler Beach Riverfront – River Road, Marysville


This riverfront park and trail weaves along the St. Clair River waterfront.  Its living shoreline means that instead of a seawall along the water, there is cobble, rocks and aquatic plants that provide a habitat in which fish can live and spawn.  Native plants are now flourishing here and have encouraged the return of natural wildlife.  A gazebo and several seating areas make for good resting spots and give walkers a chance to enjoy the river view and perhaps the passing freighter traffic.  The dazzling blue of the St. Clair River plus the fresh green plants waking from their winter slumber are sure to get your blood pumping and ready for a spring adventure.
Walking Terrain: concrete and composite wood path
Distance: 1+ miles

BP Dome Petroleum Nature Trail – Fred Moore Highway, St. Clair


This trail was established especially for pleasant walks through woods and along the Pine River.  When you’re ready for a rest, take a pit stop at Turtle Beach where there’s a pavilion and lounging spot alongside the peaceful river.  River wildlife is abundant here, so keep an eye out for turtles, ducks, fish mink and maybe a kayaker or two. 
Terrain: dirt path
Distance: 2.5 miles

Backus Nature Trail – Harbor Beach


This is a great trail for a peaceful walk through the woods.  Watch for wildlife and appreciate the mature forest’s tall trees and vibrant plant life.  The path meanders through wooded areas and features boardwalks and bridges over the natural stream that runs through the woods.  The trail connects to the Harbor View Trail which is a paved, two-mile stretch of path linking the northern part of town to the marina and downtown.  The Backus Nature Trail was created in memory of PFC Brian Backus who lost his life in 2011 while serving in the United States Army.  A gazebo is expected to be completed this summer on the east side of the trail, honor all military service members.
Walking Terrain: grass and mulch path, wooden bridges
Distance: 2+ miles

Find out all the things the Blue Water Area has to offer when you #DiscoverTheBlue at BlueWater.org
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Thursday, April 5, 2018

Brews In The Blue

"Local Beer" in the Blue Water Area goes back to the mid 19th century. According to the website Old Breweries the first documented brewery in the region was the J. Stein Brewery which opened for business in 1856.


In the 1901 city directory, there were two breweries listed in the city of Port Huron itself and, save for the years of prohibition, the C. Kern Brewery was in business at 511 River St. brewing it's flagship Cream of Michgan Cream ale as well as Old Dominion and other styles until it closed in 1950.



Over the last couple of decades, tastes have shifted back towards regional flavors and craft workmanship when it comes to sipping a beer and our region has some great options to do just that.


Located in the Riverview Plaza, St Clair's War Water Brewery started making and selling beer in July 2015. Since it's opening the brewery has grown and in 2017 embarked on $5 million expansion in the plaza and in the city.

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Before 2018, War Water did not offer any in house food options but that changed when Anchor Point Bistro opened inside the brewery's location serving things such as flatbreads, subs, wraps and sandwiches that have a huge emphasis on fresh preparation and ingredients.


About a 10 minute drive north of War Water is the Harsens Island Brewery in Marysville. Opened in 2015 in a building that used to be a Wonder Bread/Hostess bakery by Brian Phinney and his father Spencer, the brewery has 8 different on-site brewed beers on tap.

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The Phinney's use regionally sourced products as much as they can for their beer. They also keep that theme with what they name the their brews, Tashmoo Steamer, a California Common is called after steamship which brought visitors to the area from Detroit between 1900 to the mid 30's and the Hump which got its from a popular fishing spot in Lake St, Clair.



Along with some fine beer, Harsens Island has some great food options too with a menu that has tasty appetizers such as their fried mushrooms and huge onion rings, excellent burgers, delicious salmon and a whole lot more.


Oh, and why is the brewery named after Harsens Island but is located in Marysville? The Phinney family owns a house there but found the island to be a bit too small to launch the endeavor. The building the are in is perfect for it.


Less than a 30 minute drive north up Michigan's east coast from Marysville is Lexington. The village of a little over 1,000 people is well known to roadtrippers for it's shops, beaches, harbor and marina but also over the past few years, the beer that the Lexington Brewing Company and Wine House brews has put another new thing for people to check off their listing when visiting Sanilac county. Open seasonally, the brewery got its modest start at the back of the Old Town Hall Winery tasting room. A couple years back, the beers started to become the main attraction for both thisty visitors from out of town as well as the locals.



Along with the mighty roasty stout Molly Malone, some traditional quaffs such as Ludy's Pilsner, the unique Tropicana Ale which is Belgian style ale accented by citrus flavors, the brewery also has a light menu featuring flatbread pizzas, sliders and charcuterie plates.


Weekend during the summer at the Lexington Brewing Company, the place grooves to live jazz, blues, bluegrass, folk and pop classics from a variety of local combos.


Find out more about what the Blue Water Area has to offer when you 
Discover The Blue at BlueWater.org
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