Blue Water Fest:

More Fun Than You Should Be Allowed to Have Off the Water

The race-to-Mackinac sailors know the drill: At best, the skies are blue, the sun is out, the wind is from the south and they are flying a spinnaker — a great big colorful sail — to Mackinac Island. At worst, they are battling the most brutal storm the Great Lakes can send their way, with rain feeling like a thousand little tiny razor blades pelting in their faces.

For 204 glorious nautical miles.

And there is no place on earth they’d rather be.

If you are a hard-core sailboat racer, there is no better place to be in the middle of any given July than in the middle of Lake Huron in the middle of the Bayview Yacht Club Mackinac Race.

Sponsored by the Bayview Yacht Club of Detroit, the race begins at the southern tip of Lake Huron just off the coast of Port Huron and heads north to Mackinac Island.

Once they get there, fun and frivolity commences on the island.

But long before the party starts on Mackinac Island at the finish line, the racers and their families and friends from across southeastern Michigan and beyond all join in the fun during the pre-race parties in Port Huron.

The City of Port Huron has proudly served as host to the start of this amazing race for almost 100 years.

Blue Water Festival, known historically as “Boat Week” takes place in Port Huron the week prior to the start of the race. The festivities are kicked off with the annual Port Huron Rotary’s International Day Parade on Wednesday evening. Thousands of people line Huron Avenue through the heart of downtown to watch the Blue Water Area’s largest summer parade march through town.

The following night, Thursday, for many decades has been known as “Family Night” due to the large number of families that congregate downtown and walk the docks along the River Street Marina looking at the hundreds of sailboats as they rest before heading out into the lake on Saturday morning.

Friday night is traditionally known as “Boat Night.” It is the night before the big race. Though back in the 1980s it was known for being a raucous event, in more recent years, it has tamed down and a spirit of fun and good times with good friends can be found throughout the downtown district.

Port Huron’s many bars and restaurants are filled with locals and visitors alike, and the Port Huron Yacht Club hosts a large beer tent for both sailors and nonsailors.

Radio First’s Q Country 107 traditionally hosts concerts in the downtown district during Blue Water Fest week, and other family-friendly activities take place throughout the week. Check our Events page for more information on exact events, their locations and times.