International Bridge walk and more during Engineer’s Weekend

NEWS RELEASE

ENGINEER'S WEEKEND

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SAULT STE MARIE, MI - A patriotic ceremony to honor those who served in Vietnam will join the busy schedule of activities slated for Engineer’s Weekend in Sault Ste. Marie, June 24-25, 2016.

A Vietnam War Commemoration program will recognize the service of all living men and women who served on active duty during the Vietnam War.

During the ceremony, all Vietnam Veterans will be presented with a lapel pin honoring their service.

The ceremony is a joint effort of Kavana International and the Sault Ste. Marie Convention & Visitors Bureau. It will be held on Friday, June 24, at 10 a.m. at the Soo Locks.

Visitors on hand to tour the Locks as part of the traditional Engineer’s Day activities are invited to attend the ceremony during the course of their visit.

In addition, visitors will also get the rare opportunity to walk over the canal’s walls and tour parts of the complex that is normally off-limits to the public. This once-annual event is hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the last Friday in June.

The Soo Locks Visitors Center will also be open with staff members available to answer questions and alert visitors to the arrival of coming ships.

Engineer’s Day at the Soo Locks is free of charge and is open from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Friday only.

That same day, the Cloverland Electric Hydroelectric Power Plant is open for touring. This historic structure has generated power since 1902 and continues today to provide power to parts of Sault Ste. Marie.

From 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. on June 24, you can stroll inside, learn about the 74 turbines and get a first-hand look at power generation.

The Friday action continues at the U.S. Coast Guard station on Water Street, where an open house is scheduled from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

At 2 p.m., a Coast Guard helicopter rescue demonstration will take place on the east side of the Museum Ship Valley Camp.

The grounds of City Hall will also be transformed into the Arts, Crafts, & Family Fun Fair for the day. From 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., bouncy houses, local artisans and vendor booths can be found at this convenient location.

On Saturday, June 25, locals and visitors alike will enjoy the International Bridge Walk. The 2.8 mile walk is an easy stroll but the scenery will take your breath away.

The bridge stretches between Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and provides a bird’s-eye view of the Soo Locks, the St. Marys River, and the two surrounding communities. 

The highest number of participants walk the bridge, but a bicycle option is also available at an earlier time.

Walkers depart the Lake Superior State University Norris Center at 9:30 a.m., which allows ample time for the bicyclists to return from their 8:30 a.m. ride before the walk begins.

Buses are available to provide transportation back to the Norris Center for a $4 fee. Participants must remember to bring a passport or other approved border-crossing identification.

All participants (biking and walking) report to the Norris Center for an organized start.

In addition to these once-annual activities, Sault Ste. Marie also offers a host of museums, parks, beaches, restaurants and more. For more information about Engineer’s Weekend, visit saultstemarie.com or call (800) 647-2858.

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