POINTE AUX BARQUES LIGHTHOUSE SOCIETY
SETS AUGUST 5 & 6
FOR 2006 HERITAGE DAYS FESTIVAL

The Pointe aux Barques Lighthouse Society has set August 5 and 6, 2006 as the dates for the 3rd Pointe aux Barques Lighthouse Heritage Days Festival.  Scheduling the event for the first weekend in August for 2006 re-establishes the schedule in preparation for the 2007 Heritage Days Festival, which will mark the 150th Anniversary of the current Ponte aux Barques Lighthouse and Keeper’s Dwelling.  Therefore, the 150th Anniversary will be held on the first weekend in August 2007 and planning by visitors to this memorable event can mark their calendars for 2006 and 2007.

Heritage Days for 2006 will feature a Civil War Reenactment including the 4th Michigan
and 8th Arkansas contingents with their battery units.  Each year the contingents grow and feature period camp followers, merchants and storytellers.  Richard Trotter, well-known historian specializing in Shipwrecks of the Great Lakes, will be the featured presenter at the Fund Raising Dinner on Saturday evening.  Mr. Trotter will discuss the visual presentation of shipwrecks lying on the floor of Lake Huron.  Carl Bertrand, songwriter and vocalist, will entertain the visitors with selections from his released CD/s on Saturday and Sunday and during the reception at 5 P.M.   prior to the Saturday Fundraising Dinner. Dinner tickets ($30/person) are now available for purchase by contacting the Pointe aux Barques Lighthouse Society by phone at 989-856-4505 or 989-428-3035, by mail to PABLS, P.O. Box 97, Port Hope, MI  48468.“Music with Ziggie” is an exceptional presentation of various ethnic and regional music (including New Orleans based Cajun music) using unusual instruments from around the world.  A display of the Summer Art Camp works will be placed in an art activities tent, which will include art projects for youth to complete at the tent.  Applications for historic and/or maritime artists or craft-persons are being accepted through July 15, 2006 by calling 989-428-3035.

$1.00 Raffle tickets for three prizes (first place-an 18” x 32”  stained glass window of the Port Austin, Harbor Beach and Pointe aux Barques Lighthouse; 2nd place – a gift certificate for two person for two nights at The Lodge at Oak Ponte and 3rd prize – a certificate for dinner at The Farm Restaurant are being sold now through the festival. Tickets may be obtained through members of the Pointe aux Barques Lighthouse Society or calling 989-856-4505, 989-428-3035  or 989-428-2010.  Proceeds will go toward the restoration of the upper level of the Keeper’s Dwelling. 

This is family oriented program; however, the children may have some time for themselves as they visit their activities area and adults can relax with a gourmet coffee or beverage.  As usual visitors may tackle climbing the 93 steps up the tower of the oldest operating lighthouse on the Great Lakes for a charge of $2/person.  Children have a height requirement and all are asked to wear footwear more substantial than flip-flops or sandals for ease of navigating the steps.  Other surprise events are planned.

The greatest surprise will be in observing the restoration projects completed and underway.  The lower level of the Keeper’s Dwelling has been completely repainted, climate control has been installed, additional interpretative displays are housed in display cases, a new handicap ramp has been installed, exterior painting has been initiated.  Visitors are encouraged to take a look at the second floor of the dwelling; this is the next step in the restoration agenda.

The Pointe aux Barques Lighthouse Society, a non-profit 501 C3 continues to benefit from the strong support of the Superintendent of the County Parks, Steve Romzek and the County Road Commissioners.  Without positive support from volunteers from the community, a restoration project of this magnitude would not move forward.  The Society wishes to thank everyone who supports the lighthouse on a continuous basis thus making it possible to celebrate steps in preserving our heritage on a yearly basis at the Heritage Days Festival.  The Festival receives grant funding from the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs, the Huron County  Economic Development Corporation, and the Michigan Humanities Council.