Arts Dockside To Include Food, Crafts, Entertainment

A Labor Day weekend tradition will mark its 29th year on the St. Ignace waterfront Saturday, September 2, and Sunday, September 3, as Arts Dockside brings 100 artists and craft vendors to the marina for a public show and sale. Arts Dockside will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The event is free of charge.

Paintings, jewelry, pottery, woodwork, and fabric crafts will be among the variety of original works offered at Arts Dockside, and organizer Jennifer Joseph of St. Ignace said she expects that the show will be filled to capacity with vendors again this year. Last year, 105 artists displayed works at the show, and she said the average number over the years has been about 100 artists.

Mackinac Animal Aid Association will host a hot dog stand to benefit animals at the county shelter.

Musician Kerry West is putting together the event's entertainment package. Six

local favorites, all veterans of the show, will present musical or humorous entertainment at least twice each day. Entertainers will include juggler/ comedian Crazy Richard, Jim Bishop, Catholic Girls Gone Bad, the Marquette Folk Dancers, Craig Day, and Mr. West.

The Best of Show Award this year will be presented to

an artist who has participated in the show nearly every one of its 29 years, said Mrs. Joseph. The award is named for Diane Goudreau Fraser and Katherine Goudreau Orr, mother and daughter who organized the show for many years, who both died in 2001. The award also recognizes the longtime efforts of Shelley Fitzpatrick, who died in 2003.