Here's a checklist to 'Be A Tourist' Saturday in St. Clair

A long list of activities around central St. Clair is on tap this Saturday as the community commemorates “Be a Tourist in Your Own Town.”

Promoted by leaders with the city of St. Clair and the local chamber of commerce, the roster of events ranges from special offers at downtown businesses to activities at other public facilities, such as the St. Clair Library and the St. Clair Historical Museum.

The festivities come with a list of open hours, specials, discounts, and events after a community leadership team revamped the promotional website, www.stclairontheriver.com, as part of a First Impression Tourism project spurred with grant help from a Michigan State University Extension program several years ago.

City Clerk Annette Sturdy, who served on the seven-member FIT leadership team, gave a quick rundown of events during Monday’s City Council meeting to “encourage residents to be out and about” on Saturday.

“There’s a couple different special events that day,” Sturdy said. “But overall, the purpose is to discover amenities that we have all the time: The boat harbor, the historical museum, the library. Discover what’s in your own backyard.”

A full list can be found at www.stclairontheriver.com/be-a-tourist-in-your-own-town. There is also a downloadable passport with a checklist for "Be a Tourist" events. Here are some highlights.

Get a look at that view

While many of the activities slated for Saturday are set for in and around the St. Clair’s downtown, one even in particular will veer a little east at the waterfront.

A “freighter walk” dedication is set for the Palmer Park boardwalk at 1 p.m. Those interested in getting a glimpse were encouraged to meet at the waving lady statue as leaders introduce a new self-guided tour.

Enthusiasts will be able to scan a QR code or visit the south kiosk for freighter information.

With vantage points a popular destination up and down St. Clair County’s waterfront, the Blue Water Convention and Visitors Bureau has previously recommended visitors and residents also take advantage of downloading the MarineTraffic app to see where freighters are coming from.

Immediately following the ceremony at St. Clair’s boardwalk, Sturdy said, “There’s a reception at the St. Clair Art Association. There will be live music at that time.” The association is located inside Riverview Plaza across North Riverside Avenue downtown.

Visit everyday locations to explore

Those normal amenities residents may overlook include Hillside Cemetery, where a tour of notable St. Clair residents is set for 11 a.m.

According to the “Be a Tourist” passport, that will include local re-enactors at the cemetery, located at the corner of St. Clair Highway and Palmer Street. It’s presented by the St. Clair Genealogy and History Society.

The St. Clair Library will also have a used book sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the historical museum, 308 S. Fourth St., will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and there will be an open house at the Eddy Center, 301 N. Ninth St., from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“If it’s a nice day, rent a canoe or kayak at the harbor,” Sturdy said. “Borrow a fishing poll from the library. A lot of people don’t know that you can do that, but you can.”

Also at the Eddy Center, visitors will be able to see baby fish, as the Friends of the St. Clair River are raising lake sturgeon before they’re released into their natural habitat.

Katie Stepp, marketing manager for the CVB, added, “Besides the Be a Tourist event in St. Clair, they are hosting the Marbleye Fishing Tournament out of the St. Clair Boat Harbor all weekend.”

In addition to retailer discounts, Sturdy said, “There’s drawings, there’s a couple raffles” around local businesses and at other “Be a Tourist” stops.

The TAP Café, Heirloom Furniture and Gifts, Cap’n Jim’s Gallery, HeARTstrings, Neiman’s Family Market, the Anchor Point Bistro, Tru Blue Boutique, Soaring Dreams, and Bear and The Hare, where there will be live wood burning, were all listed among participating businesses.

Amenities at Greig Park, Pine Shores Golf Course, Rotary Park, and more were also listed.

Contact Jackie Smith at (810) 989-6270 or jssmith@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @Jackie20Smith.

This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Here's a checklist to 'Be A Tourist' Saturday in St. Clair