Choze Powell

Rockin’ the Rivers Returns in August

The popular Rockin’ the Rivers concert series returns to Keifer Park in August with free live music, food trucks, family-friendly games, and a beverage tent.

Rockin’ the Rivers is every Thursday at Keifer Park overlooking the St. Clair River. Concerts start at 6 PM with an opening act, and the headliners hit the stage at 7 PM. Spectators can bring their own chair or blankets to view the concerts.

Scheduled bands are:

  • August 5th: RockStar, The International ‘80s Rock Sensation
  • August 12th: Captured Detroit, Journey tribute 
  • August 19th: Matt Stell
  • August 26th: Your Generation in Concert

This year, there will be a special Friday performance by Jerrod Niemann on August 20th.

For more information, visit Port Huron Rec’s website <HERE>  or follow the Port Huron Parks & Rec Department on Facebook <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Climb the Lighthouse During the Full Moon

The Friends of the St. Clair River are offering an opportunity to view August’s full moon from the top of the Ft. Gratiot Light House.  The inaugural Sturgeon Full Moon Lighthouse Climb is scheduled for Sunday, August 22nd from 6 – 10 PM.

The August full moon is referred to as the Sturgeon moon because Indigenous communities knew how plentiful the sturgeon were during its arrival.

The Sturgeon Full Moon Lighthouse Climb includes the lighthouse climb, food vendors, music, special performances, and fireside chats with stargazing and storytelling.

Tickets are $20 for those 12 years old and up and kids ages 4 – 12 are $10. Children 3 and under are free.

The Yak-Abouts kayak group is planning a full moon paddle from Lighthouse Beach and participants are welcome to join them.

To learn more about this event visit www.SturgeonFestival.com

Car Show Bringing Wheels to the Waterfront

Port Huron, MI — Mainstreet Memories car show is moving its wheels to the waterfront, and event organizers are expecting nearly 800 vehicles at the Acheson Ventures waterfront property on Saturday, July 31st.

This non-judged car show is in its 5th year, and it previously occupied Huron Avenue in Downtown Port Huron. Organizers realized they needed more room in 2019, and the idea to move the show to the Waterfront was born.

The show opens to the public at 10 AM on Saturday, and a shuttle service will be provided to get people from the municipal parking lots downtown over to the waterfront where the show takes place.

Along with the classic cars, there will be over 70 vendors including monster truck and NHRA dragster display, and a Kid Zone tent sponsored by the Council on Aging serving St. Clair County. The Council on Aging is also the designated nonprofit of the show, and all proceeds raised will be donated to them to provide services for the area’s senior citizens.

For a full list of events visit mainstreetmemoriesph.com

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

St. Clair County Businesses Recognized by Governor

Last week, Governor Whitmer sent letters of gratitude to more than 200 small businesses that excelled during the pandemic, and several St. Clair County companies were among them.

The businesses stood out for the way they adapted their services, provided essential items like personal protective equipment, or supported frontline workers or those in need.

Harsens Island Distillery, Polka Dot Pandas, Quality Computer Solutions, and Thumb Coast CBD were the St. Clair County companies recognized by the Governor. Thumb Coast CBD was recognized for making and donating hand sanitizer to those working on the frontlines, and Polka Dot Pandas donated over 13,000 masks to local medical workers in the beginning of the pandemic when masks were’t readily available.

Tricia Comtois, owner of Polka Dot Pandas, said it was all made possible by help from the community. People donated supplies and helped sew, cut, and distribute the masks. “There were many hands that helped us with the process!” said Comtois.

In a press release, Governor Whitmer said, “I am completely in awe of the resilience and determination of Michigan’s small businesses to stand strong and push forward during such unprecedented time. Small businesses are crucial to the success of our economy, and we are more than ready to get back on track and uplift our local entrepreneurs to continue to make this state a great place to work and live.”

A new website had been launched as a portal for small businesses to find grant programs and funding opportunities available through the State of Michigan. The website is www.michigan.gov/smallbusiness

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Sarnia Offers Smart Card for Transit

Sarnia, Ontario — The City of Sarnia has launched a new system for contactless transactions with Sarnia Transit. The new smart card system allows passengers to purchase reloadable smart cards to pay for transit fares.

Smart Card passes can be mailed directly to passengers if they fill out an online form, and cards can be loaded and reloaded online or in-person at designated point-of-sale locations.

Once a Smart Card pass is registered, it can be protected against loss or theft, set up to auto-renew and auto-reload, and card balances can be checked at any time. Users can also manage multiple cards through a single account and view transaction histories.

To learn more visit:

https://www.sarnia.ca/living-here/getting-around/sarnia-transit/

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Water Warriors Hit the Lake This Week for Special Olympics

Port Huron, MI — The Water Warriors are gearing up for their 30th annual personal watercraft endurance ride along Michigan’s Thumb Coast to benefit Special Olympics of Michigan.

This year’s ride is scaled down from their usual Port Huron to Mackinaw ride, which is typically a 5-day, 450-mile endurance ride on personal watercraft. They have adapted the ride this year due to challenges presented by the pandemic, and they are taking a 2-day ride from Port Huron to Port Austin and back.

The Water Warriors ride will take place on July 28 – 29th, and 75 people plan to participate with over 30 personal watercraft riders, support boats, and a fleet of land support vehicles.

Donna, a past participant, said, “Riding the waves is a physical challenge, certainly, but nothing in comparison to the every day survival of a Special Olympic athlete. To come into port and see that appreciation for our efforts, to give a ride to an athlete on my machine, and to watch the smiling faces and listening to the cheers of the athletes on the support boats makes every muscle ache I experience, every drop of water that I swallow, and all the time I spend raising funds worth it.”

The 2021 Summer Games for Special Olympics concluded on July 17, 2021, but Special Olympics Michigan provides year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand