Downtown Port Huron

No “Rockin’ the Rivers” This Year

Another staple of summer in Port Huron has been erased from the 2020 calendar. Rockin’ the Rivers Summer Concert Series has been shut down.

The free concerts typically bring in around 2,000 people downtown and have been going strong since 2009. The event far exceeds the 250-person cap on outdoor events under the latest Executive Order form Governor Whitmer.

In a statement announcing the cancellation, City Manager James Freed said, “The Recreation Department loves providing events such as Rockin’ the Rivers for members of our community. Our focus is largely on fun, active and safe recreational opportunities for everyone. This year, we need to work a little differently to continue to maintain and protect the health of our community members. We want everyone to be safe and healthy so that we can all continue to enjoy events like these for years to come. We look forward to putting on an incredible series of shows in 2021 and safely rockin’ again next summer.”

The Port Huron Recreation Department has been forced to drastically scale back its offerings this summer. The calendar is usually filled with activities for all ages, but due to COVID-19 related orders and the financial repercussions, much has been cancelled.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

“Boat the Blue” Antique & Classic Boat Show looking for Teen Digital Artists

Port Huron, MI — Local teens are asked to participate in a digital art contest with cash prizes. The Port Huron “Boat the Blue” Antique & Classic Boat Show is looking for digital artwork to be used in their promotions for the 2020 Annual Boat Show.

The submissions should be in digital format and must be original. Ipad painting, mixed media, photography and other digital forms from applications like Adobe and others are recommended. The work should feature the words “Boat the Blue” and promote the Blue Water area and the boating heritage in the region.

The contest is open to artists between the ages of 13 and 19. There are cash prizes for the winning submissions. First place is $300; second place is $200; and third place gets $100.

Artwork needs to be submitted by August 1st to atorello@mimutual.com. Winning designs will be selected by a Board of Judges and will be displayed in Downtown Port Huron businesses before and during the Boat Show.

This year’s antique boat show will be held September 12. In 2018, the biennial show offered over 700 free boat rides. The 2020 show will have judging based on restoration of the antique boats.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

“Social District” Plans in the Works for Downtown Port Huron

Port Huron, MI — Port Huron City Council will be presented with a plan to create new outdoor gathering spaces and social districts. The areas are meant to be gathering places that are less risky for virus transmission than traditional indoor bars, restaurants, and event centers.

The plan would also give downtown businesses a boost by giving consumers an option for staying and consuming food and beverages, particularly adult beverages, downtown. Municipalities are now lawfully able to designate particular areas where open intoxicants, clearly marked as such by the seller, can be consumed offsite.

The outdoor spaces, if approved, will be at McMorran Plaza and the pocket park by the Military Street Bridge. Both are planned to be quickly renovated into areas where people would naturally gather.

Port Huron City Manager James Freed described the project, saying, “You could buy a drink at one place and go to another place that doesn’t have a (liquor) license like Chef Shells and Maria’s and consume a drink. You can also take drinks to the two gathering places we are creating. Hence, these two projects would work together.”

All plans are subject to review by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Community Foundation Acquires Knowlton Ice Museum

Port Huron, MI — Operation of the Knowlton Ice Museum is about to be turned over to the Community Foundation of St. Clair County. If the plans are approved, a new nonprofit entity will be created, and assets and care of the museum will be transferred to the Foundation. 

Chuck Knowlton, Trustee of the Knowlton Family Private Foundation, said, “The Community Foundation is the right fit for our family’s charitable legacy. We have grown an endowment fund to be available to care for the Ice Museum collection in perpetuity, and the Foundation has the expertise, dedication and transparency we wanted as a family to be able to feel good about the transfer of not only millions in charitable assets, but the museum collections as well.” 

Mickey and Agnes Knowlton, founders of Party Time Ice, created the Knowlton Foundation and the Knowlton Ice Museum in 2000. The museum’s extensive collection of ice-making equipment and memorabilia have been open to the public since 1987.

The current location of the artifacts in Downtown Port Huron has been open since 2009. The museum will continue to be open to the public as usual.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

MI Passion Celebrating First Year and Crowdfunding with patronicity.com

Port Huron, MI — MI Passion Boutique in Downtown Port Huron is having a grand re-opening and one-year anniversary celebration tomorrow, Tuesday, June 30th. Starting at noon, the first 40 patrons will get gift bags. There is a ribbon cutting at 12:15.

MI Passion has had quite a year, but it is still hanging on and looking forward to a bright future. After opening last summer, MI Passion quickly outgrew its small storefront. The store relocated into an expanded space down the street at 229 Huron Avenue in late January. Just a few weeks later, everything shut down for the pandemic.

Anita Varty, owner of MI Passion, said she kept the business afloat through online sales and Facebook live presentations where she featured her merchandise. Varty said that she was unable to get any of the government relief aid available, but she was able to make the cut for an innovative crowdfunding initiative, one of just a handful in the area.

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is partnering with patronicity.com and matching grants to give a boost to local businesses that are important to communities. MI Passion is hoping to raise $4000 to help with their economic recovery.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland