We're still unsure of who the first freighter will be, but if you're like us you're watching the boat traffic and waiting ever so patiently for movement! No matter the name of the first freighter if you're coming out for the festivities tonight the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reminds you to dress warmly and be safe. Reminder to partygoers that individuals who are intoxicated will not be permitted into the park. We would hate for you to miss the fun!

Very Happy Friday to All! For this edition of Freighter Friday, we are doing something different! With the Soo Locks opening up 12:01a.m. Sunday March 25....who will be the first freighter through? After looking at MarineTraffic app Thursday a.m., we have several possibilities....a few are in this video. It could be one of these....it could be a different freighter! Who do you think will be the first one? Who do you hope to be the first one? Have a great weekend and enjoy the big weekend in the Soo for boatnerds! -Jim

Do you have your Sault Ste. Marie Semiseptcentennial calendar yet? The calendar has 18 months of old photos. It will be June 2019 before you have to take it down! Find all the ways to get yours here https://goo.gl/z6brS5

A somewhat rare occurrence in the Straits of Mackinac February into the first half of March. Blue ice formed...and the beauty of it was remarkable! Hundreds upon hundreds of visitors converged on Mackinaw City when we were there on March 17 to see the what nature could only create! Here are some sights from that visit I took with drone and ground camera...and a few other pictures from folks who visited the Straits on a different date. Thanks to them for sending in the pictures! -Jim (remember, different cameras, different times of the day, different angles of the camera shots, etc ALL contribute to the different colors and hues in the video).#puremichigan

Here are 5 Things You Might Not Know about the Mackinac Bridge! Chick here to read the full blog https://goo.gl/QAygXV

Happy Hump Day...and Happy First FULL Day of Spring! Oh so close to the opening of the Soo Locks this weekend! Lets hope the weather cooperates and gives us some great viewing! Lets hope we do not see weather like we did when I took this video of the Algonova and Sharon M./Huron Spirit downbound back in November 2017!

Have you met Ed at Neville's Superette? He and his team are well versed in selecting a good cut of meat and they can advise how best to prepare it too! Stop by Neville's on Ashmun St. or check them out here https://goo.gl/WyTnXJ

Let’s welcome spring Sault Ste. Marie style! Thank you Lake Superior State University for hosting another successful Snowman Burning!

Every year, Lake Superior State University welcomes spring in a unique way: a Snowman Burning!

Spring officially starts at 12:15p.m. today. However, the Lake Superior State University's tradition of kicking Old Man Winter to the curb starts a few minutes earlier at high noon. The Annual Snowman Burning takes place on the LSSU Campus near the Cisler Center. The event is free to the public and students! For more information: https://www.lssu.edu/news/lssu-welcome-spring-will-annual-snowman-burning/

Counting down the days until the Soo Locks officially opens for shipping season up this way! Make it a weekend to visit the Soo this weekend! The Locks officially open at 12:01a.m. Sunday, March 25. Soo Locks Visitors Center on the Soo Locks property will have its Open House 9a.m.-3p.m.

I like that there's more sunshine this last week, but honestly, I'm looking forward to full-blown summer sunsets. Soon! Thanks to Instagrammer cooldadjb for this fantastic photo!