For more information on each parade click the highlighted communities listed below.

• Algonac
• Harbor Beach
• Lexington
• Marine City
• Port Austin
• Port Huron
• St. Clair

Also on Memorial Day, the Sanilac County Symphonic Band will be performing a variety of patriotic songs at noon at the Port Sanilac’s Harbor Park for the annual Blessing Of The Fleet. 

     Memorial Day is upon us this weekend. A time to take a moment to remember those who gave their lives so we can be free. On Monday, May 27th, there will parades and memorial services all over the Blue Water Area to honor those who served and made the ultimate sacrifice. 

     As well as the parades and observances listed above, the Sanilac County Symphonic Band will be performing a variety of patriotic songs at noon on Memorial Day at the Port Sanilac’s Harbor Park for the annual Blessing Of The Fleet. 

    A Memorial Day weekend tradition in the Blue Water Area is the Feast of the Ste. Claire. Now in it’s 33rd year, the Feast of the Ste. Claire, which consists of over 600 re-enactors with more than 100 colonial style camps set up in Port Huron’s Pine Grove Park on Saturday and Sunday, presents a living re-enactment of 18th century life.

     It’s been away from the Blue Water area for 15 years. Now it’s back! Gus Macker 3-on-3 Basketball All-World Tour will be happening in front of the YMCA in downtown Port Huron this weekend. When it comes to shooting some hoops-whether you’re just a beginner, seasoned pro, a weekend warrior, or an ageless armature, the Macker is great fun for players and spectators alike.

     The Huron County Nature Center in Port Austin invites you to enjoy food, music, crafts, fun and, of course, the orchids at the Lady’s Slipper Festival this Saturday and Sunday.

     There will be fun facts, refreshments and more in the St. Clair Flats this weekend. The Harsens Island Historical Society is having an open house on Saturday, Sunday and Monday to celebrate it’s first year of operation.  

     Other things goingon this week include Lushes & Brushes at Port Huron’s Studio 1219, a Citywide Yard Sale in Harbor Beach and the opening of the Port Austin Farmers Market (rated one of the top 10 Farmers Markets in Michigan) for the 2013 season. 

     Lots of things happening next week as the month the June kicks off with Be A Tourist In Your Own Town as well as The Pine Groove Electronic Music Festival at Pine Grove Park, The Black River Canoe and Kayak Race and Blue Water Sturgeon Festival in Port Huron. The Port Sanilac Farmers Market opens for the season and Port Austin celebrates high gloss and chrome at their annual CarFest. 

    To find out more about these events plus many other things going around the Blue Water area-Discover The Blue happenings at www.bluewater.org/events  

     At the end of this week our friends across the water celebrate Victoria Day with a 3 day weekend.  Victoria Day is a Canadian public holiday in honor of Queen Victoria’s birthday. For many Canadians the weekend marks the start of the summer. 

     Many St. Clair county businesses will help Canadian’s that visit the Blue Water Area for this Victory Day weekend celebrate by offering hotel discounts, golf packages, shopping discounts, dining deals and much more with Canadian Appreciation Day. 

     This weekend the SC4 Theatre Dsicipline presents the story of Carnelle, a Mississippi girl and her attempt to salvage her tarnished reputation as “Miss Hot Tamale” through entering the Miss Firecracker Contest.

      Sunny Fields Botanical Park in Emmett is one of Michigan’s hidden treasures! On May 18th and 19th they invite you to come out to the 7th Annual Lilac Festival and enjoy Michigan’s largest and most diverse lilac collection!

     Sample some of Southern St. Clair County finest eateries at the Blue Water Taste Fest in this Saturday East China Township. 

     On Saturday Wolverine Market invites folks to join the at the Port Huron Yacht club and get some sampling’s of vino at the Spring Wine Tasting.  

     Other things happening for the week include the Friends of the Black River inviting everyone to bring their waders, their boats, canoes and kayaks on Saturday and assist in their annual Black River Clean Up. The smell of fresh flowers will fill the air at Vantage Point in Port Huron on Saturday for the weekly flower market running each Saturday now through the end of June. Get an an earful of the greatest story ever (re)told in the tip of the Thumb this weekend as the Port Austin Community Playhouse present Cotton Patch Gospel on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and, on Sunday, enjoy the music of the two very talented sisters Blaire and Tess DeWilde Kohler at the Sanilac County Historical Museum Church. 

     Some things happening the next week (Memorial Day weekend) in the Blue Water Area include the return of the Gus Macker 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament to Port Huron, The Feast of the St. Claire at Port Huron’s Pine Grove Park, the annual Harsens Island Historical Society Open House, a city wide garage sale in Harbor Beach, the Lady Slipper Festival at the Huron County Nature Center and the opening of the Port Austin Farmers Market for the 2013 season. 

   To find out more about these events plus many other things going around the Blue Water area-Discover The Blue happenings at www.bluewater.org/events

Our Canadian neighbors have a significant impact on our local economy. In addition to shopping, lodging and dining, we also have several Canadian based companies providing quality jobs to our region. Canadian visitors contribute $60 million annually to our local economy helping our existing retailers and restaurants to thrive and boosting our ability to attract new business to the region.

Next  Monday, May 20th, is a holiday for out friends across the water. Many St. Clair County businesses will be welcoming them with a variety of offers and deals.

Stop in at the Blue Water Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, located at 405 Water St.in Downtown Port Huron, on Monday, May 20th, between 10am and 3pm, present your valid Canadian ID and register to win a $100 Visa Gift Card. Drawing will be at 4pm that afternoon.

Hotel Packages:

Have you made your overnight reservations yet? Start planning your stay now, so you can fit in everything – shopping, dining, spa services, golf, art class, kayaking, flea markets & more!

The Comfort Inn Port Huron is offering a great Canadian appreciation Day special for the weekend of May 17-20 for Canadian guests! Enjoy comfortable rooms, flat screen TV’s, hot breakfast, and friendly staff! Rates as low as $79.99 for a room that sleeps 1-4. Add a microwave and fridge at only $84.99 or a room that sleeps 6 for only $89.99 (second floor/stairs only for rooms that sleep 6). A limited quantity is available at these rates. For Reservations – 810-982-5500 and ask for the Canadian Appreciation Day special.

At the Port Huron Fairfield Inn by Marriott they have tended to every detail to give each guest room a fresh new modern look, providing their guests a whole new level of comfort, convenience, and style. They are located off I-94 just one exit from the Blue Water Bridges. For Reservations call 810.982.8500 and ask them about their Canadian Appreciation Day special rates.

The Super8-Marysville hotel is offering Canadian guests lodging (single or double beds) at only $74.99 May 17-20. Just ask for the Canadian Appreciation Day special. Limited Quantities. The Super8-Marysville hotel is conveniently located close to the St. Clair County International Airport and the Canadian border. Jump start your day with free SuperStart breakfast and a cup of coffee to go from our 24-hour coffee bar. Keep up with your exercise routine in our gym, lounge by the pool or browse the Internet with free Wi-Fi. Each room features a coffee maker and refrigerator. Reserve your room today by calling 810-364-7500.

Dining and Treats:

Anita’s Riverfront Grill in Marine City is offering half off pizza for Canadian Appreciation Day, money at par and some amazing drink specials.

Auntie Anne’s Pretzels encourages you to stop by for Canadian Appreciation day and enjoy bite-size pretzel perfection; buy any nugget (original or cinnamon/sugar) and get a pretzel for FREE! Their pretzels are hand-rolled and freshly-baked all day long! That’s one of the secrets to delivering that fresh, one-of-a-kind taste that you know and love! Auntie Anne’s Pretzels are located at Birchwood Mall. Offer valid on Monday, May 20 at the Birchwood Mall location only.

For Canadian Appreciation Day, Casey’s Pizza & Subs in Downtown Port Huron has whipped up a special menu to include: Cinnamon maple breadsticks to compliment your order, along with smoked peameal bacon fixings for any pizza or sub, and red beer if you choose to get in the spirit of things! Dine indoors, or enjoy our beautiful new indoor/outdoor renovation (right side) where you can also watch or play a game of bocce ball in our two outdoor courts.

Who doesn’t love a great specialty pizza, perfectly cooked steak or mouthwatering BBQ Ribs? Cheap Charlie’s invite their Canadian friends to come enjoy a great meal for Canadian Appreciation Day. They will be giving FREE bridge tokens w/each guest meal check (while supplies last) and accepting Canadian Money at Par.

Garfields’s Restaurant & Pub in Fort Gratiot, MI invites you to join them for a great burger, signature salad, soup, awesome appetizers & more! On Monday, May 20 they will be offering $5.00 off of a purchase of $25 or more (excludes alcohol).

Junction Buoy On the River in Marysville will be accepting Canadian Money at PAR and offering Canadian customers 10% off your meal (per guest check) on May 20th. Discount does not apply to alcohol.

Whether you go to Lynch’s Irish Tavern to enjoy what’s on tap, have a delicious lunch or dinner or a combination of both-you’ll be glad you went! Lynch’s Irish Tavern has 40 FREE bridge tokens to give to International visitors on Canadian Appreciation Day (one per guest meal check). We look forward to seeing you at our restaurant in Historic Downtown Port Huron!

On Monday, May 20 - McDonald’s will be offering Canadian Money at Par! Offer good at these locations: St. Clair, Fort Gratiot (across from the mall), Pine Grove (next to Blue Water Bridge), 24th Street (across from PHHS), Wadhams Road (along I-69), Marine City and Algonac.

At Murphy’s Inn in St. Clair, they welcome Canadian friends to come in and enjoy the pub atmosphere or the dining room and chose from a great menu offering the best pizza, burgers, ribs, steak and fish. Canadian at Par and on Monday, order a large pizza at 50% off! You’ll find us in St. Clair at 505 Clinton.

Great beer and great food, need we say more? Actually, yes! Waterfront dining too! (Weather permitting). Bring the family to Quay Street Brewery in Downtown Port Huron on Monday, May 20. A Free Bridge Token with each guest meal (40 tokens available) and Canadian money at par.

Susan’s Restaurant in Port Huron’s North End will be giving a 10% discount on guest checks on $20 or more on Canadian Appreciation Day.

Do you have a sweet tooth? We have the answer! Visit The Sweet Tooth for Canadian Appreciation Day. Money at par and 10% off your total purchase. The Sweet Tooth is located at 335 S. Water Street in Marine City. Bring the family for a fun experience!

For Canadian Appreciation Day, Monday, May 20 - The Voyageur Restaurant in St. Clair is hosting a Shrimp Fest from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.! One FREE bridge token to the first 20 Canadian Customers (one per token per family/receipt). Enjoy a beautiful riverview and for only $11.95 choose from any of the following shrimp entrees that include 10 shrimp: Shrimp Scampi on a Skewer, Lemon Pepper Shrimp, Shrimp & Tortellini Pasta, Shrimp Caesar Salad, Shrimp Pesto or Cajun Shrimp. For $14.95 you can get a Shrimp & Sirloin Steak combination plate – 10 shrimp on a skewer, served with a broiled sirloin steak, and choice of potato.

Zebra Lounge and Zebra Bowl-o-Drome, located at 522 Quay Street downtown Port Huron, will both have great specials for you on Monday, May 20^th.  At the Bowl-O-Drome, a family of 4 can bowl 2 games w/shoes and a whole order of nachos w/cheese for just $20 (all day). The Zebra Lounge will have their Monday burger special with their delicious burgers for $1.59, or try a Cajun burger for just $1.94, and wash it down with a 10 ounce $1 draft.

Shopping:

“A Little Something” in Downtown Port Huron would like to offer 20% off total purchase (ex: consignment & sale items) for the entire weekend. 

The Blue Water Area Chamber of Commerce is offering 50% off on Land’s End brand apparel, including: Port Huron sweatshirts, long-sleeved crewnecks, polos and hats on Monday, May 20 (in-store purchases). The Blue Water Chamber is located in the heart of Downtown Port Huron at 512 McMorran Blvd.

Campus Den at the Birchwood Mall 25% off of one regular priced item on Monday, May 20^th.

Christopher & Banks/CJ Banks at Birchwood Mall will be offering $15 off your $60 purchase (excludes clearance).

Countertops Direct on Pine Grove in Fort Gratiot is offering our Canadian customers CORDOVA STOOLS – Buy 2 Get 1 Free on Monday, May 20. Available in two sizes, boxed and ready for assembly. Limited supply but will allow additional orders for later pick (on this day only).

Country Style Marketplace, located at 3900 Pine Grove Ave in Fort Gratiot, offers Canadian Customers 10% off of purchase (excluding beer & wine) on Monday, May 20. Just show Canadian I.D. Country Style Marketplace has a unique shopping experience for customers seeking quality products and exceptional customer service. We have a wide selection of the highest quality meats, the freshest produce, specialty grocery, wines and a full deli.

Cozy Corner Consignment & Gifts in Marysville is typically closed on Monday, but they will be OPEN for Canadian Appreciation Day on Monday, May 20 from 10am-5pm and accepting Canadian funds at par. 

Good Natured Gardens art gallery & gift shop in Marine City welcomes Canadian friends to visit during this great event. They will offer a 10% discount on all purchases.

Hut. No. 8 in Marine City is typically closed on Mondays but will be open specially for Canadian Appreciation Day! They are offering 15% off total purchases that day and as usual will take CA at par.  

Mention Canadian Appreciation Day on May 20^th at Independent Floor Covering in Port Huron and get 20% off lowest marked price on any cash & carry item.

Receive a special 10% off International Visitor Savings Pass when you visit Macy’s Birchwood. Available at the Fine Jewelry Counter inside Macy’s.

Looking for something fun to do? Enjoy finding flea market finds and bargains? The Marine City Chamber of Commerce will hold a Flea Market at The Riverside Plaza, located at 6730 S. River Rd., on Saturday, May 18th from 9am to 5pm. A quick ferry ride across the river and you’re there!

Pets Supplies Plus in Fort Gratiot will offer 10% off on purchases that day over $15.00 on Monday, May 20^th.

At Pro Edge Sports in the Birchwood Mall they specialize in all of your sports apparel and memorabilia needs. From keychains to custom jerseys they have it all! For Canadian Appreciation Day, they are offering 10% off your purchase and a chance to win Tigers Tickets!

New downtown Port Huron retail shop, Two Rivers Trading Post, has you covered in the eclectic gift department and they are offering a Canadian Appreciation Day special of 10% off your purchase!

Sam’s Club in Port Huron wants to show their appreciation to their neighbors from Canada by offering every Canadian who comes in their Port Huron store starting on May 17th and going until May 20th a gift card by signing up for new membership or renewing their existing membership. They will also receive a goody bag filled with different items in the club!

Vera Grace Emporium in Marine City is offering 20% off cash purchases of any new item on May, 20th.

Wireless Solutions at Birchwood Mall is offering 25% off phone accessories on Canadian Appreciation Day (excludes: screen protectors; memory cards and Bluetooth accessories).

Yankee Candle at the Birchwood Mall will be offering a FREE Concentrated Room Spray, Travel Tin or Car Jar with $30 purchase.

Arts & Crafts:

Studio 1219 in Downtown Port Huron will be offering a chance to make a Canadian Maple Leaf tile for $5 on Saturday, May 18^th from 1-5pm

Located in Port Huron’s north end Mary Maxim will be offering 40% any one regular priced item for May 17^th-20^th.

 Recreation:

Fore Lakes Golf Club is participating in Canadian Appreciation Day and invites you to golf on Friday (May,17) or Monday (May,20) for just $30 with cart (full course). Or, if you prefer, golf that Saturday or Sunday for $36 with cart. Rates are per person. Call Fore Lakes at 810-982-3673 for Tee Times.

Great Lakes Docks & Decks in Algonac, joins in on Canadian Appreciation Day and will be offering 10% off Kayaks, 20% off paddling accessories and 10% off seawall ladders May 17-20

On Monday, May 20, Marysville Golf Course will be offering All Day Golf with cart for $20.00! Canadian money will also be at par on that day.

The St. Clair Boat Harbor is offering a Canadian Appreciation Day Special. Rent a canoe or kayak from the St. Clair Boat Harbor at the discounted rate of $5/hour on May 20th and get a free drink koozie from the Boat Harbor. Reservations are required to guarantee the availability of your canoe or kayak. To reserve call 810-329-4125.

Willow Ridge Golf Club in Fort Gratiot will have 9 holes of golf, including cart for just $17 on Monday, May 20th

Other offers:

In honor of Canadian Appreciation Day, Mastercuts in the Birchwood Mall is offering Canadian patrons 20% off service or retail on Monday, May 20.

The Port Huron Museum would like to welcome Canadian visitors to discover the “sites and sights” of the Fort Gratiot Light Station by taking a Light Station Tour and (optional tower climb for only $2 (regular $7) with Canadian ID on Monday, May 20.

For Canadian Appreciation Day The Spirits Shoppe in Port Huron is offering Canadian customers 1 free parcel pickup up to $10.00 when you stop in on Monday, May 20 to inquire about our services. Also, one FREE bridge token to the first 20 Canadian visitors (one per household/family).

To find out more about Canadian Appreciation Day follow this page on Facebook.  

     Well, May rolls around and the nice weather decides to stick around. Many picture perfect days last week and many more to come. From pretty flowers to cattle kicking up dust and ghost hunters to a boy who refuses to grow up, just to name a few, there are many things to do in the Blue Water Area this week. 

      The Port Huron Civic Theater will take audiences to trip to Never Land this Friday, Saturday and Sunday as they present the classic for children of all ages, Peter Pan, at the McMorran Place Theatre in Port Huron. 

     With all this great weather upon us it’s time for many to dig in the dirt and then enjoy the colors and scents that will bloom. Head on down to Vantage Point in Port Huron on Saturday as they kick off their Flower Market for the year and take home some pretty petals to grow, give a sniff of and look at.

     In the tip of the Thumb it’s the greatest story (retold). Port Austin Community Playhouse presents the play Cotton Patch Gospel on Saturday and Sunday.