From Art On The River to the Early Settlers Along The Lake: 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 coming weekend. Let's take a look at some of the events happening in the Blue Water Area.

Art On The River, a three day art and music festival, has become a tradition for the second weekend of June in Port Huron. This family friendly event, which is chock full of art workshops, music and food, kicks off this Friday evening at Kiefer park with a dance party and beer tent.

The headliner for Art On The River this is year is Derek St. Holmes. Most well known as the rhythm guitarist and voice on Ted Nugent's early solo hits such as "Stranglehold" and "Hey Baby", Derek St. Holmes has also worked with Aerosmith's Brad Whitford and the Michael Schenker Band. Derek takes the stage on Saturday evening.

On Saturday, June, 8th 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 Its Wheels. This show is 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.

In Port Sanilac this weekend the Native, Voyageurs & Settlers Days are at the Sanilac County Museum & Historical Village are happening. At this event, families can learn about and experience the rich history connected with the voyageurs, early settlers, American Indians, and military of the Great Lakes Fur Trade period. This reenactment of the life-styles and skills of this era will include demonstrations and displays of traditional crafts and skills, trade goods and artifacts, campfire cooking, military life, weaponry, and much more! It runs from 10am-4pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Looking ahead into June events include, Marysville' Summerfest kicks off on 13th, Harbor Beach holds its annual Truck Show on the 15th, Porch Fest is happening in Port Austin on the 22nd, the Blue Water Cruise weekend in Fort Gratiot starts on the 27th and runs through the 30th and the St. Clair Art Fair is the 29th and 30th. 

Find out more about these and many more happening when you Discover The Blue at our events page.

Urchins Of The Thumb: Mountain Babies Play Port Austin's Porch Fest This Saturday

This weekend, people on porches across the village of Port Austin will extend more than just their always friendly waves and warm greetings.

Now in its second year, the Porch Fest welcomes musicians from all around the region to come and play songs in the porches, yards and gazebos of Port Austin residents. Featuring 30 different acts this year, the casual gathering gives visitors a chance to hear a wide variety of music, take a stroll, maybe grab a bite to eat and check out the beauty that the tip of Michigan's Thumb has to offer.

One of the groups returning to play the festival this year is Mountain Babies. Though the band is Port Huron based these days, their shepherd Dave Peters has a lot of ties to Port Austin. We had a little chat with him about what area means to him.

The region has had an lasting effect on Dave and served a lot of the inspiration and subjects on their 2015 album The Cottage, The Creek & The Spirit.

That thread of exaltation still runs through their music on their latest release Existence Of Resistance. Sometimes, it's obvious with song titles such as "Pine Cones & Grindstones" but also is in mood in general as songs such as the arcadian feel of songs such as "The Temple."



It's like one can practically see the stars twinkle in the clear night sky and smell the smoke of a bonfire while the song plays.

Port Austin's Porch Fest runs from 1 to 5 pm this Saturday, June 23rd. Mountain Babies play at 4 pm at 111 W. Spring St. To find out more and to see a full schedule of all the acts playing check out Porch Fest's website.