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The Bark Shanty Festival 
Bobo the Clown
On tap this weekend for Port Sanilac is the Bark Shanty Festival!  Formerly known as Summerfest, the Bark Shanty Festival is full of fun for the whole family.  With everything from live music to clown shows and bark shanty races to great innertube races there is something for everyone.
 
Friday night features local talent at the Thumbs Got Talent Show.  Friday night is also Bike Night at the beer tent.  Entertainment will be provided by The Hooligans, a local band headed by Ryan Cayce.
 
Saturday is full of fun starting with a Pancake Breakfast at the firehall, followed by Bike Decorating Parade with Bobo the Clown in the park.  There will be Children's Games provided by the Kid's Connection.  Don't miss out on the Watermelon Ea
ing Contest and  bring your dogs to the Best Dressed and Ugliest Dog contests.  You can build a shanty to race on our round-about track on Saturday afternoon in the Bark Shanty Race.  Finish out Saturday by relaxing to the sounds of The Dale Hicks Band.
 
After breakfast at the firehall on Sunday morning come down to the park for our Worship Service presided by Rev. Eric Johnson of the Port Sanilac United Methodist Church.  Later on Sunday Bobo the Clown will entertain the kids with a show and games.  Dad's will enjoy walking down to the Stone Lodge for a cruise through the Classic Car Show.  Mom can shop through the vendor area for special treats.  And don't miss out on The Great Innertube Race at the Harbor or the Chilli Cook-Off in the park.
 
It's all happening in Port Sanilac, July 17, 18, and 19.  Visit www.barkshantyfes
ival.com for more information.
Summer Fun for
Port Sanilac Kids
Riding on the Miss Port Sanilac
The summer recreation program for the children of Port Sanilac and the surrounding areas is in full swing.  Thanks to the labor of the Parks and Recreation Committee the children have a wide variety of fun and educational activities to participate in this summer.
 
Starting at the end of June the kids were off to see the movie UP at the Firebird Theatre in Sandusky.  For a minimal cost, each child got a popcorn and soda to go with the show.  Next was swimming at the Deckerville pool and putt-putt golf in Lexington. 
 
Just last week nearly 60 children and chaperones were out for a boat ride on the Miss Port Sanilac.  The owner, Chester Kolascz donated his time so that the kids would have the opportunity to learn a little about boating and experience one of the great benefits of living along the water.
 
On Friday, July 10, two busloads of kids and their parents headed down to see the Detroit Tigers win and to watch a firework show after the game. 
 
There is much more in store for the children of Port Sanilac this summer.  Everything from ice skating to boating and a wild animal adventure has been planned thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Port Sanilac Parks and Rec Committee!
Greetings!

Thank you for taking time out to read the Port Sanilac Portal.  This monthly newsletter is designed to give you all of the good news about happenings in Port Sanilac.  So sit back and "read all about it!" 
The Port Sanilac Company Opens in
Port Sanilac

 There is a new store in Port Sanilac known as The Port Sanilac Company.  Located in the old "general store" this diverse business is home to a collection of local artists, antique dealers, and retailers with the joint mission of bringing new life to the downtown.  The owners, Sue Balysh, Port Sanilac Co. ExteriorJoe Schlichting, and Theresa Palleschi, came together this spring with the vision a storefront that would act as an artist co-op and retail store.  "We wanted to provide Port Sanilac with the things that they need and what they need most right now is life in the downtown," said Sue Balysh.  The store is run as a collection of boutiques each offering a different sampling of what is available here in the Thumb.  There are artists displaying their hand-made jewelry and cards, paintings and pottery.  A few of the vendors offer antiques.  There are also a variety of new retail items including beach towels and sand toys, as well as beautiful household items and clothing accessories.
 
The Port Sanilac Company, LLC was named after a historical business that was once housed in the Blue Water Inn building.  Known as Port Sanilac Company, Inc. it was one of the early suppliers of household items for the residents of the Port Sanilac area.  "By resurrecting the name of the Port Sanilac Company we are keeping the history of our Village alive," said Balysh.
 
The Port Sanilac Company hopes to expand their line of goods to include many of the items that are needed by peoplePort Sanilac Co. Interior as they pass through Port Sanilac.  "We had a gentleman come up from the harbor on a chilly day looking for a pair of pants.  There is no place in town to buy a pair.  We would like to be that store," said Balysh.
 
The Port Sanilac Company is also working in cooperation with the Port Sanilac DDA as a Welcome Center for the Village.  As the Welcome Center the Port Sanilac Company provides travel literature, public restrooms, and a welcoming face for the Village of Port Sanilac.  They are also available to answer questions about the area and community both in person and on the phone.
 
The Port Sanilac Company is located at 7 S. Ridge St.  The store hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10 am to 5:30 pm; Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 7:30 pm; and Sunday from noon to 5:30 pm.  The public restrooms and travel literature are available daily from 9 am to 7 pm.  If you are interested in renting space in the Port Sanilac Company call Sue, Joe, or Theresa at 810-622-0404 for more information.
The Vegetables Keep Growing at the Farmers' Market
Conducting Business at the Farmers' Market The Farmers' Market has become "the place to be" on Friday afternoons.  As summer goes by the produce at the market increases and changes.  For the past two weeks we have had strawberries and soon it will be raspberry season! 
 
Each week there is a drawing for a market basket.  Visitors to the market can sign-up to win a grocery bag full of items donated by each of the vendors.  In the bag you may find fresh eggs, honey, freshly picked produce (some of which you may not recognize), and baked goods.   The market basket also may have recipes and spices.
 
So stop in to the farmers market each Friday from 3-7 pm there is always something new and different at the Port Sanilac Farmers' Market.
Welcome Center Now Open
The Port Sanilac Welcome Center is now open.  Located inside the Port Sanilac Company at 7 S. Ridge Street, the Welcome Center provides travel literature, visitor information and public restrooms.  The Welcome Center restrooms are open daily from 9 am to 7 pm. 
 
You can contact the Welcome Center by stopping in during the Port Sanilac Co.'s regular business hours or by calling 810-622-0404.  The Welcome Center is a project of the Port Sanilac Downtown Development Authority.
If you have any questions or concerns please contact the DDA Coordinator, Erin McDaid-Kelly, at erinmcdaid@aol.com or 810-622-0668.
 
Sincerely,
 
.
Port Sanilac Downtown Development Authority