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.

Hot Cars, Classic Rock and Cool Art : What's Happening This Weekend in the Blue Water Area

School's out and the sun is shining. Time to get out, explore and discover. This weekend, there's plenty to see and do when you Discover The Blue.

Car enthusiasts from all around the area are getting revved up to be in Fort Gratiot as it is time for Blue Water Cruise Weekend. Festivities start Thursday with a carnival at the Birchwood Mall. On Friday evening many sets of wheels will be showing off their shine along 24th Avenue in Fort Gratiot and north Port Huron's main drag.

The show of chrome and high-gloss continues into Saturday the 29nd with the Keith Peterson Memorial Car Show at the Birchwood Mall during the day and fireworks in the evening.  To see the full schedule of events, check out the Blue Water Cruise Weekend website.

Now in its 48th year, the St Clair Art Fair is one of the oldest art fairs on this side of the state. This weekend there will be over 120 artists located throughout the Riverview Plaza and Palmer Park along the St. Clair River. Find out more about the artists participating here.

Starting this Saturday and then on each one through August 4th, you can catch the boat taxi and take the one mile ride out to tour the Harbor Beach lighthouse.

This Saturday, The Sanilac Consortium for the Arts and Sanilac County Historic Village & Museum will be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Woodstock with the grooviest festival in the Thumb. Singing The 60's will feature local musicians celebrating the songs of Woodstock and the 1960’s in four performance areas. There will also be a vintage car show, arts & crafts vendors, a hippie drum circle, children's area, craft beer and great eats. 

Looking towards the Independence Day weekend, Algonac hosts their annual Pickerel Festival. For fireworks, Port Austin and St. Clair will have them on July 4th, Lexington and Algonac on the 5th and Port Sanilac on the 6th.

Find out all the things that are happening in Michigan's ThumbCoast at our events page.

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.