July 9-12

The Blue Water Fest is July 9-12 in Downtown Port Huron. You can get the full schedule here: https://thebluewaterfest.com/full-schedule/. The annual celebration coincides with the arrival and departure of the sailboats participating in the 101st Bayview Mackinac Race. Hundreds of boats and their crews begin the race from Port Huron to Mackinac on Saturday, July 12th, and the days leading up to the launch are filled with fun for all ages.

Big Parade!

The first big event is the Rotary International Day Parade on Wednesday, July 9th, starting at 6:30 p.m. The annual parade is a big one, and it goes right through Downtown Port Huron. The parade starts at Glenwood and Huron Streets and ends at Military and Court Streets. Viewers line both sides of the street. Get there early to get a good spot. The west side of the street will be shadier than the east side. Also, this is the kind of parade where candy is thrown to the kids, and local groups pass out flyers and promotional items, so bring a bag to carry home all the loot. Enjoy the parade!

Fun Zone

Thursday kicks off the downtown events, including a Fun Zone at the McMorran Plaza. The full schedule is here. Family-friendly activities are available on both Thursday and Friday. There are bounce houses, the Port Huron Police Department’s Gaming Trailer, face painting and glitter tattoos from WonderWolf Entertainment, and more. There are also activities at Foundry Port Huron. Families are encouraged to walk around Downtown Port Huron and check out the vendors at the Blue Water Street Fair (Thursday-Saturday), dine at local restaurants and from food trucks, look at the boats docked in the Black River, and vote for their favorite charity in the Mannequins Making a Difference display on the Military Street Bridge.

OT Family Night

Family Night is an annual tradition that brings many community groups, civic organizations, and churches together for a night of free fun for families. Dozens of tents are set up along the bank of the Black River near the 10th Street Bridge in Downtown Port Huron. Each tent hosts an activity, and there are often giveaways, so once again, bring a bag to carry home your new treasures. Parking is available at St. Clair County Community College and throughout the surrounding areas. Be aware of street construction in the vicinity this year.

Drone Show

Port Huron has moved from fireworks to a drone show. Last year’s show was amazing. Not only are drone shows better for the environment, but your dog will appreciate the absence of deafening booms and explosions. To watch the show, find a spot in the grassy areas near Desmond Landing, set up your camp chairs or a blanket, relax, and enjoy the show. There are not a lot of bathroom options nearby, so consider that when planning your evening. The show starts at 10:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 10, 2025.

Boat Night

Many of the same activities from Thursday are also planned for Friday. Friday evening’s activities are intended for the 21+ crowd, and kids’ activities will be wrapped up by dinnertime. Be aware that adults are allowed to walk around with open intoxicants in the designated social district in Downtown Port Huron. The full schedule of events can be found here: https://thebluewaterfest.com/full-schedule/.

Saturday Morning Boat Launches

Watching the boats leave for the races is a fun tradition. Grab a coffee and donuts, and watch the boats head out to the starting line in the lake. Anywhere along the Black River in Downtown Port Huron is a good place to watch.

Story by Jennie McClelland for BlueWaterParent.com