Why You Should Head North to Saint Ignace for Labor Day Weekend 2010

As we turn the calendar to August, summer is winding down and it's time to make plans for that ultimate end-of-summer Labor Day Holiday on September 6th 2010. The State of Michigan enacted a law requiring public schools to postpone their start dates until AFTER Labor Day, and this proposal was warmly welcomed throughout Northern Michigan. Here in the Straits Area, you can Walk the Mackinac Bridge, or even sail aboard a double-masted schooner through the Straits for a unique way to end your summer holidays. Let's take a look at the Schedule of Events for Saint Ignace from September 3-6, 2010. We sure hope you can enjoy us this year for Labor Day Weekend!

Arts and Crafts Dockside at the City Marina downtown St. Ignace September 4-5, 2010

There's musicians, jugglers, dancers and all sorts of entertainment all day Saturday and Sunday at the City Marina in downtown Saint Ignace. A Farmer's Market is available on Saturday -- get up bright and early to be there when they open at 9 a.m. Saint Ignace stretches all along the waterfront, and so keep the car parked the whole weekend! There's a slew of great restaurants right along downtown's Moran Bay, as well as vendors and food carts ready to cater to every appetite. Stop and talk to Elizabeth Brown at the little yellow Mall in the Center of town, she and her husband are sure to open your eyes with some unique perspectives on wine, art, and craft items. If you can make the march up the hill heading away from the Bridge, there's a plethora of large and small hotels from which to choose. Just a hint, but my favorite is the Budget Host with their nice pool and reasonable prices. If you can wrangle a room there, their residents are within walking distance of EVERYTHING!

Fire Works and Lighthouse Cruises in Saint Ignace and Mackinac City

Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry is offering lighthouse cruises this year, and their last cruises of the season (at $52 regular, $68 extended) take place around Labor Day Weekend. Because of the traffic, most people try to stay over an extra day or two, when you can get the best deals and enjoy some peace and quiet. But everyone enjoys the close-of-the-season FIREWORKS display in the City of Saint Ignace, so remember to carve out your Saturday evening so you're on the North Side of the Bridge for that. Don't miss the Vesper Cruise on September 5th by Arnold Line, it's a free-will offering, but the ferry actually transits the Straits to provide a unique and "soulful" view at sunset. Financial contributions made during the trip are used to help area youth ministry and the services are non-denominational.

The Grand Hotel's Labor Day Jazz Festival on Mackinac Island 3-6 September on Mackinac Island

I've actually attended this event, thanks to the man who many consider its founder and best promoter, the master clarinet and sax-man, Big Bob Snyder. Be sure to check out Grand Hotel's special Jazz Weekend for the full package and fourth night at the hotel for free. Even those on a budget can enjoy the festival in the tea garden for the price of a day pass and the boat fare to and from the Island. We always use Star Line Ferry at their main dock in Saint Ignace, but there's two other boat lines from which to choose, as well as home ports on the other side of the Bridge at Mackinaw City. Star Line is the ferry that docks nearest to the Grand, on the St Ignace end of the lakeside village. The Grand Hotel's gardens are some of the most beautiful found, maintained by an outstanding grounds-keeping staff. You can even see the Esther Williams Pool and maybe enjoy high tea in the Parlor. Check out the Mighty Mac Tour's Website for an outstanding recap of Island Highlights.

Check out the Mackinac Bridge's 2010 Larry A. Rubin Memorial Bridge Walk on September 6th.

Saint Ignace is home base for the 53rd Annual Mackinac Bridge Walk, and this year it was renamed to commemorate the passing of a key founder, Larry Rubin, an enterprising individual who did a lot of the leg-work and funding support to get that vital connection between Upper and Lower Michigan off the ground. If you're even thinking about this area, the Bridge walk is THE thing to do on Labor Day Weekend. Tens of Thousands of people descend on the Straits Area from all over the world, and all of them follow the Governor, her entourage, and some select racers who lead the pack with her run across the Straits. This is the only time of year where you can "walk the bridge," and there's even a keen little certificate to commemorate your endeavor as you cross. The event is free, other than a token bus fare of about $5 to get back to the car. I recommend purchasing the fancier gift certificate on the Mackinaw City terminus and the annual t-shirts are a "Bridge-Worthy" souvenir. Helpful local hint: park your car on the Mackinaw City side and pay the $5 to take a bus to Saint Ignace to start, BEFORE the walk. This way, you'll be on the south side of the Bridge when you end your jaunt and want to jump into that car and head home. Start early, the Bridge Walk ties up traffic for miles around and ends around 2 pm.

The 14th Annual Sugar Island Pow-wow on September 4-5th.

For me, the crowds on Mackinac Island and throughout the Straits Area can wear a bit thin after awhile. I find a singularly peaceful, family-like gathering every Labor Day just a short hour's drive and a 10 minute ferry ride over to Sugar Island, near Sault St. Marie, North of town. It may sound silly to come all this way to leave town, but don't miss this unique cultural event. The is a hidden gem of a pow-wow, and you won't be disappointed with the top-drawer regalia, dancers and interesting bead-work, regalia, and dance steps on display. Locals from around the area and through nearby Ontario converge here just because it is secluded, remote and away from the hustle and bustle of the nearby city activities.

Horn's Bar Labor Day Regatta on Sunday at Mackinac Island

For another obscure, yet exciting adventure, trip on over to Mackinac Island Sunday for the annual "Circle Tour" of Mackinac by experienced sailors. The historic Horn's Bar is the key backer of this regatta, but check out the Mackinac Island Marina for specifics. People often get centered on the little area just by the docks and never get to see the REAL Mackinac Island. Looking at it from off shore, all the way around, is an unusual, memorable experience. Simply rooting for one of the teams can be fun, too. If you're into adult beverages, a pub crawl on the Island is a singular experience. Pace yourself and try to stay sober enough to avoid hangovers for the next morning's key event, starting in Saint Ignace.

Check out the Mackinac Bridge's 2010 Larry A. Rubin Memorial Bridge Walk on September 6th.

Saint Ignace is home base for the 53rd Annual Mackinac Bridge Walk, and this year it was renamed to commemorate the passing of a key founder, Larry Rubin, an enterprising individual who did a lot of the leg-work and funding support to get that vital connection between Upper and Lower Michigan off the ground. If you're even thinking about this area, the Bridge walk is THE thing to do on Labor Day Weekend. Tens of Thousands of people descend on the Straits Area from all over the world, and all of them follow the Governor, her entourage, and some select racers who lead the pack with her run across the Straits. This is the only time of year where you can "walk the bridge," and there's even a keen little certificate to commemorate your endeavor as you cross. The event is free, other than a token bus fare of about $5 to get back to the car. I recommend purchasing the fancier gift certificate on the Mackinaw City terminus and the annual t-shirts are a "Bridge-Worthy" souvenir. Helpful local hint: park your car on the Mackinaw City side and pay the $5 to take a bus to Saint Ignace to start, BEFORE the walk. This way, you'll be on the south side of the Bridge when you end your jaunt and want to jump into that car and head home. Start early, the Bridge Walk ties up traffic for miles around and ends around 2 pm. While baby-strollers and wheelchairs are allowed, only service-dogs can participate. You should review the rules on my link before heading North.

So friends and neighbors, I hope I've given you a cool Lucky Number Seven Reasons to head UP North for the Summer's Greatest event. Don't forget the wonderful "usual" incentives: awesome beaches; cooler weather; cleanest air and water; friendly (if a bit quirky) Yoopers and wonderful ethnic food and drink! It's always great in the Upper Peninsula and In Mackinac County; even so, Labor Day is the Event of the Summer. You can "Go Green" by simply parking the car and enjoy everything within walking (or ferry) distance, too. Other than an optional pub crawl on Mackinac Island, all these venues are especially kid-friendly, although you'll want to exclude younger kids from the actual Bridge-walk itself...five miles is quite an ordeal for the little tykes. Just being there to welcome the people crossing over might give incentive for them to work toward their FIRST bridge walk in just a couple more years. Take that Lucky Seven to one of the local Kewadin Casinos and you can bank on a Great Labor Day Holiday!