event

Boats, Fireworks, Carnival, Music, and More at This Year’s Blue Water Fest and Boat Week

Who’s ready for the Blue Water Fest and Boat Week? Port Huron is.

The annual festival has it all. The party starts on July 13th with the Rotary International Parade stepping off at 6:30 p.m., with the theme “Children’s Storytime”. The parade starts at Huron and Glenwood and ends at Desmond Landing.

Operation Transformation’s Family Night will be entertaining families on Thursday, July 14th. The Blue Water Street Fair will be set up on Thursday and Friday featuring over 70 arts and crafts vendors.

Fireworks are at dusk on Thursday, July 14th, at Desmond Landing.

The main attraction is always the arrival of the boats as they prepare for the Bayview Mackinac Race, leaving on Saturday, July 16th.

There is a lot of construction going on downtown to improve both roads and the seawall on the Black River, so most of the entertainment, including the concerts, will be centered around the Blue Water Transit Center and McMorran Place parking lots, located west of Huron Avenue between Grand River Avenue and McMorran Boulevard.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Challenger Learning Center Adds Dates for Missions

The Challenger Learning Center at St. Clair County Community College has room for 70 people to take the Mission: Lunar Quest adventure. The Saturday, July 30th, and Saturday, August 27th dates are open for mission participants.

The missions are open to the first 35 registrants. Seats cost $25 per person.

Kristin Copenhaver, vice president of communication and special projects at SC4 said, “We know that many people are looking for fun and unique things to do in the summer months with their families, friends, community groups, scout troops, office and sports teams, and more. These open mission dates will offer greater access to exciting Challenger Learning Center experiences.”

Those who sign up for Mission: Lunar Quest will launch to the moon in search of a long-term human habitat, and command and assist in Mission Control, or they may board the Spacecraft as an astronaut, serving on special teams and making critical decisions to guide the mission.

Register for the July 30 and Aug. 27 missions at stclair.nbsstore.net/community-missions or contact us with questions at experiencecenter@sc4.edu or (810) 989-5789.

To schedule a full group mission at another time, visit challenger.sc4.edu/schedule-a-visit/.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

4th at the Fort Event at Fort Gratiot Lighthouse

There are a lot of ways to pass the time on the 4th of July, but there’s only one place where you can ride a pony, tie-dye a shirt, and climb a lighthouse.

Port Huron Museums is hosting a July 4th event at the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse. The event includes free pony rides for kids along with time to take in the beautiful grounds and cool breezes at the unique spot where Lake Huron drains into the St. Clair River.

There will also be opportunities to buy sparklers, concessions, and t-shirts for on-sight tie-dying.

For a small fee, a tour of the Lighthouse can be taken, which includes the 94-step trek to the top of the lighthouse, originally constructed in 1829. From the top, the panoramic view of the Blue Water Bridges, Lake Huron, Sarnia, and the Port Huron area is sure to make some 4th of July memories.

The 4th at the Fort event goes from noon to 4:00 p.m. on Monday, July 4th.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/4th-at-the-fort-a-fort-gratiot-4th-of-july-with-free-pony-rides-tickets-367773479377

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Sarnia Celebrates Canada Day; Fireworks July 1st at 10 p.m.

The Sarnia Canada Day Committee is planning for a spectacular Canada Day celebration this Friday, July 1st as they get back to an in-person event.

The annual parade kicks off at 11:30 a.m. at Lakeshore and Colborne Streets.

This year’s festivities include an assortment of entertainment at Sarnia’s Canatara Park from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The entertainment includes multicultural and assorted food vendors, a handmade market, activities for children, and circus and hula hoop shows on the stage.

The bandshell with have performances starting at 12:30. Multicultural performances include the Lambton Concert Band, the Sarnia School of Irish Dance, the Scottish Country Dancers, and the Vietnamese Canadian Club.

The entertainment starts at Centennial Park at 6:00 p.m. with Hot Air Balloon Rides, food vendors, and live music from 6:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

The fireworks show begins around 10:00 with fireworks being launched off the bay.

https://www.sarnia.ca/play/city-signature-events/canadaday/

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

“Faith and Family on the Plaza” Brings Concerts to McMorran Plaza on Sunday Evenings

The McMorran Plaza in Downtown Port Huron has something for everyone. Operation Transformation is hosting the “Faith and Family on the Plaza” concert series on Sunday nights from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

The concerts will be faith-based with this Sunday’s performance from the Port Huron Assembly of God, and the next week from the musical group, “Prodigal Redemption”.

The concert series started last week and runs through August 28th.

While Casey’s on the Plaza will not be open on Sunday nights, there will be concessions available. Concert-goers will need to bring their own seating.

Operation Transformation is a Port Huron faith-based non-profit organization whose purpose is to bring positive changes to the Blue Water Area. OT collaborates with local churches and non-profits to help the community.

Families are invited to come out to the brand new McMorran Plaza and enjoy a relaxing night of positive music.

Schedule

June 26th ~ Life In Christ Fellowship

July 3rd ~ Port Huron Assembly of God

July 10th ~ Prodigal Redemption

July 17th

July 24th ~ Rejoice 

July 31st ~ Reaching Across

August 7th ~ Kingdom Empowerment 

August 14th ~ Life In Christ Fellowship 

August 21st ~ Blue Water Free Methodist 

August 28th ~ Living Note

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Downtown Port Huron’s First Friday is for Kids on July 1st

All the fun downtown isn’t just for the grownups. Downtown Port Huron is the place to be for kids and their families this Friday, July 1st from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. This month’s First Friday is focusing on kids.

Children of all ages are invited to take a stroll on the sidewalks of downtown Port Huron to check out the activities planned just for them. Downtown businesses will have face painting, games, coloring, and other types of fun.

Kids will also get a chance to meet the people who keep the community safe. A fire truck will be on site for kids to get up close and personal with, along with representatives of the military and first responders.

A Little Something, a gift shop and ice cream shop in downtown Port Huron will have special activities for kids, along with free ice cream for the first 200 kids, sponsored by local businesses.

For the full details on all of the special events in Downtown Port Huron, go to DowntownPH.com.

After the kids’ events, The Gobies, a local band will be rocking the McMorran Main Stage.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland