The Arts Dockside show in St. Ignace, now in its 28th year, has a deeper significance for many vendors than buying or selling good products. It’s also about remembering family and friends, and recognizing those who have fostered goodwill during many years of service and attendance.

That’s why the annual Best-of-Show award is named for Diane Goudreau Fraser and Katherine Goudreau Orr, the mother and daughter who organized the show for many years. They both died in 2001. Mrs. Goudreau Fraser founded the show in 1978, while her daughter returned to St. Ignace in the mid-1990s and was a great contributor. Shelley Fitzpatrick, another force behind the show for many years, died in 2003 and is also remembered for her efforts.

The award is not based on the current year’s show, but on what each vendor has contributed over time. “It’s kind of based on years of service at the show, and the relationship they’ve had with the people who started the show. The spirit of these women definitely lives on here,” said Jennifer Joseph, the show’s current organizer.

Mrs. Joseph has learned that it’s never too soon to bestow a worthy honoree. Jane Ahlborn of Munising, a painter who had displayed her work at the show for many years, won the Best of Show award last year. She passed away June. Mrs. Joseph is also glad that Mrs. Ahlborn’s husband, Wally, and son, Tim, of St. Ignace, will be continuing her booth at the show one more year.

About 100 vendors are expected this weekend, with 20 to 30 percent of them new participants. Higher gas prices combined with lower sales have discouraged a few vendors from attending this year, Mrs. Joseph said.

She is still expecting about 100 vendors this weekend.

The show will feature a variety of original arts and crafts including paintings, jewelry, pottery, and woodwork.

The show will run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, September 3, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, September 4. Admission is free.

Mrs. Joseph organizes and runs the event now, along with Jeannette O’Rourke, Eileen Evers, Janet Peterson, Donna Pope, and the Chamber of Commerce.

Food vendors at the show will include a hot dog stand to benefit LaSalle High School’s baseball program, run by Louie Grondin.

The entertainment package is organized by Kerry West. Six local favorites, all veterans of the show, will be appearing at least twice each day. They include Mr. West, Jim Bishop, Catholic Girls Gone Bad (Mary Beth Maurer and Ann Marie Dewey), Margaret Madagame, Craig T. Day, and the Marquette Folk Dancers. Mr. West and Mr. Day will perform together and individually.

Another spotlight entertainer is professional juggler “Crazy Richard.” Mr. West laughs at the thought of a show without him. “He told me years ago that I don’t have to call him if I want him to come, only if I don’t. Every year, I know he’ll be here.”

Although not part of the program on the main stage, the U.S. Navy Great Lakes Jazz Ensemble will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday at the marina. They are an 18-piece big band that performs a wide variety of jazz music encompassing the big-band era of the 1930s and 1940s, as well as modern-day compositions. The concert is free of charge.

Saturday, September 3

9 a.m.: Kerry West - Singer/songwriter/guitarist plays pop folk, classic light rock, rock, easy

listening, and contemporary country.

9:45 a.m.: Jim Bishop - Singer and trumpet player performs old time favorites from the 1920s-1970s.

10:30 a.m.: Catholic Girls Gone Bad - Vocal duo/guitarists Ann Marie Dewey and Mary Beth Maurer play standards, classic rock, folk, and country.

11:15 a.m.: Marquette Folk Dancers - Dancers perform folk dances from all over Europe.

11:45 a.m.: Margaret Madagame - Folk singer/guitarist, performs classic folk music.

12:30 p.m.: Kerry West and Craig T. Day.

1:15 p.m.: Catholic Girls Gone Bad.

2 p.m.: Marquette Folk Dancers.

2:30 p.m.: Jim Bishop.

3:15 p.m.: Craig T. Day - Keyboardist/arranger and Emmy award-winner performs original compositions.

4 p.m.: Marquette Folk Dancers

4:30 p.m.: Kerry West and Craig T. Day

Various Times: “Crazy Richard” - Juggler/humorist performs around the grounds for kids of all ages.

Sunday, September 4

9 a.m.: Kerry West.

9:45 a.m.: Jim Bishop.

10:30 a.m.: Catholic Girls Gone Bad.

11:15 a.m.: Marquette Folk Dancers.

11:45 a.m.: Margaret Madagame.

12:30 p.m.: Kerry West and Craig T. Day.

1:15 p.m.: Marquette Folk Dancers.

2 p.m.: Catholic Girls Gone Bad.

2:30 p.m.: Jim Bishop.

3:15 p.m.: Marquette Folk Dancers.

4 p.m.: Craig T. Day.

4:30 p.m.: Kerry West and Craig T. Day.

Various Times: “Crazy Richard”