St. Ignace Visitors Guide 2012 : Page 5

Plan vacation around these featured events YOUR turday Every Sa September 1 st s ork ew Fir July 4 then th through } A NNIVERSARY -B IRTHDAY E NGAGEMENT Let Us Help You Create a DELIGHTFUL Basket Filled with All the Temptations You Deserve! February 17-19, 2012 Labatt Blue UP Pond Hockey Championship This is the largest adult pond hockey tourney in Michigan and the only one actually played on one of the Great Lakes. Pond hockey takes center stage Friday and Saturday, with the championship games and awards on Sunday. Players and spectators will marvel at this well-organized event, with more than 150 teams in a variety of age divisions. If you don’t skate, you can still hit the ice on February 18 at the Ice Bowling Tournament. Truly a fun-filled weekend on ice! Getting Married? } stignace.com W inery The We offer the largest selection of exclusive wines in the area. Additionally, we offer a 20% discount on ( all cases. mix and match) Located Downtown St. Ignace at The Pavillion • 180 N. State Street 906-643-8020 February 20-26 World Ice & Snow Sailing Championships (WISSA) Launched in 1980, this is only the fourth time this event has been held in the United States. It’s windsurfing on ice, compliments of either a hand-held or kite-like sail. Racers from around the world will speed into St. Ignace, where more than 11 acres of ice on Moran Bay will be cleared for the slalom event. Spectators will watch the action, visit vendor tents, meet the racers, and take part in the specter of an international sporting event. 5

Events/Calendar

February 17-19, 2012 Labatt Blue UP Pond Hockey Championship This is the largest adult pond hockey tourney in Michigan and the only one actually played on one of the Great Lakes. Pond hockey takes center stage Friday and Saturday, with the championship games and awards on Sunday. Players and spectators will marvel at this well-organized event, with more than 150 teams in a variety of age divisions. If you don’t skate, you can still hit the ice on February 18 at the Ice Bowling Tournament. Truly a fun-filled weekend on ice! February 20-26 World Ice & Snow Sailing Championships (WISSA) Launched in 1980, this is only the fourth time this event has been held in the United States. It’s windsurfing on ice, compliments of either a hand-held or kite-like sail. Racers from around the world will speed into St. Ignace, where more than 11 acres of ice on Moran Bay will be cleared for the slalom event. Spectators will watch the action, visit vendor tents, meet the racers, and take part in the specter of an international sporting event. March 3 U. P. Ice Chip Golf Scramble The ice of Moran Bay will once again host a sporting event – this time a golf scramble, where the carts are replaced by sleds and golf gloves may actually mean mittens. This fun event appeals to golfers of all skill levels. Why wait for spring to get back on the links? June 22-23 Antiques on the Bay Classic & Antique Auto Show The first of three auto-related events features restored classic and antique vehicles on display along the downtown waterfront. Period clothing, entertainment, and autos dating 25 years or older are all part of the fun. Registration and a Mackinac Bridge Rally are slated for Friday, with autos on display Saturday. June 23 Great Race An endurance, speed-controlled road rally comes to St. Ignace, with antique, vintage and collector cars arriving at regular intervals downtown. Vehicles must be vintage 1969 and older, with a driver and navigator focused on precision timing. A 1911 Velie won the 2011 race, demonstrating that age is not a hindrance in this very special race. Spectators can see the cars, visit with drivers, and cheer their favorite auto as it departs for its next destination on the nine-day Great Lakes tour. June 28-30 St. Ignace Car Show Weekend This annual event is one of the largest all-make, all-model shows in the country. Hundreds of antique, custom, and celebrity automobiles are on display. Car enthusiasts can examine vehicles up close and see them in action during Kewadin Casino Cruise Night and the Down Memory Lane Parade. Contests, exhibits, vendor booths and more make this a fun, family event. July 4 4th of July Celebration Combining the nostalgic sentiment of a small-town celebration with the picturesque backdrop of Lake Huron and Mackinac Island makes the 4th of July in St. Ignace something special. Watch the parade at 1pm, enjoy kid’s games and a community picnic at 2pm, and watch the fireworks over Moran Bay at dusk. Let us show you patriotism, St. Ignace style! July 21 St. Ignace Fish Feast Bring your appetite and your fun spirit to the St. Ignace Marina pier, where live music, food, and beverages are offered from 4-10pm. They don’t call us the “Home of the Great Lakes Fish Fry” for nothing. Sample fish delicacies prepared by local restaurants, let the kids enjoy a variety of games or try their luck in the Kid’s Trout Fishing Pond. We top it off with fireworks over the bay at dusk. August 4 Bayside Music Festival It’s an old-fashioned street dance in Downtown St. Ignace, when a series ‘of bands dazzle the crowds and keep the light a-foot busy. Family games, a beer and wine tent, food concessions and more are available as the live music plays on. Like the song says “you’ll be dancing in the streets” in St. Ignace, with fireworks on display at dusk. August 16-25 St. Ignace Heritage Week Join us as we pay special tribute to our rich history during this designated week. Local museums will offer special presentations, community walking tours, historical fashion shows, and more. Native American singing, geocaching, and a variety of other events will all occur during this celebration. August 18 Gold Wing Road Riders Midnight Ride When midnight strikes in Grand Rapids, the journey to St. Ignace begins, with bikers joining the ride throughout the night en route to the Mackinac Bridge. The annual ride raises money for juvenile diabetes. August 24-26 Rendezvous at the Straits Powwow This is really two events in one–part French voyager re-enactment and part traditional Powwow. Visit the French encampments, watch demonstrations, visit vendors displaying authentic wares, and enjoy the sights and sounds of Native dancing and drumming ceremonies. Located at the Father Marquette Memorial, just off US-2 west of I-75. September 1-2 Arts & Crafts Dockside More than 100 artists and crafters display their unique creations along the waterfront downtown. Enjoy food and music while you peruse the works of talented people. September 3 Labor Day Mackinac Bridge Walk Join us for the onceannual opportunity to walk the five-mile Mackinac Bridge. St. Ignace hosts the start of the walk each year and transportation is available to return you to St. Ignace after this awe-inspiring walk. Free parking and shuttle service to the starting line is available at Little Bear East Arena in St. Ignace. September 14-16 Antique Tractor Show & Parade (14-15) Richard Crane Memorial Big Rig Truck Show (14-16) On the Waterfront Car/Toy/Truck Show (14-15) The combination of these three events makes for a busy and fascinating weekend in St. Ignace. Parades across the Mackinac Bridge, exhibitions, swap meets, and more are sure to keep visitors busy looking at the cream of the crop in tractors, trucks, and automotives. October 6 & 7 Great Waters Festival The bounty of fall and the best that Michigan has to offer–that’s the potent combination that awaits you at the Great Waters Festival. Visit the tents and partake in Made in Michigan crafts, foods, beverages and live music. Join the Crabby Apple Road Race, try your hand at the Great Pumpkin Roll, and enjoy the free, family-friendly activities of Apple Days hosted in the St. Ignace Marina parking lot. December 1 Holiday Open House It’s a festive start to the holiday season, with holiday music, lighting of the Christmas Tree, Home for the Holidays Parade, activities and more. Be sure to make time for a visit with Santa as he arrives in Santa Land. A week’s worth of FUN all summer long! Monday is the night for a sunset cruise. Call for information and departure times in July and August. Tuesday brings wine and beer tastings at The Pavillion and Historic Walking Tours throughout Downtown St. Ignace. Every Tuesday in July and August – pick one or enjoy both! Wednesday gives local musicians a chance to shine, when free waterfront entertainment is offered at the St. Ignace Marina. Every week at 7pm through July and August. Thursday means Bayside Live! – a free showcase for entertainers in July and August under the marina pavilion at 7pm. Reggae, gospel, country, and more – you name it and you might see it at Bayside Live! Friday is better known as Fab Friday because you never know what you might find downtown. Performers at various locations, displays and exhibits, kid’s games - each week a different group of offerings keep things lively. Historic Walking Tours share the history and mystery that makes St. Ignace unique. If a leisurely boat ride is more your style, Vesper Cruises leave from local ferry docks on Friday nights in July and August, so call for details. Saturday starts at the Bayside Farmer’s Market, located at Doud’s Market. June through September, find the freshest offerings from regional farms from 10am-1pm. Historic Walking Tours are also available on Saturdays. Evening brings music, prizes and fun for all ages downtown, followed by a spectacular fireworks display at dusk over Moran Bay. Sunday is perfect for an evening in the park. Movies by the Bay are screened in July, August, and Labor Day weekend for free at American Legion Park. Free popcorn for everyone, too! To verify dates and times for any of these events, call our events hotline at (888) 784-4622 contact the Chamber of Commerce at (800) 970-8717 or the Visitors Bureau at (800) 338-6660.

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