A St. Marys River Fest is planned in Sault Ste. Marie Friday, August 18, through Sunday, August 20, to recognize the river's heritage of shipping, travel, recreation, and industry. The festival will feature tours of Great Lakes vessels, maritime vendors, and professional canoe races.

On Saturday, participants may tour the U.S. Coast Guard base and select Coast Guard vessels from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., the Lake Superior State University Aquatic Research Laboratory from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the Toronto-based tall ship Pathfinder docked at Kemp Marina.

Canadian Navy League Cadets will perform at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday in the lower Soo Locks Park.

Canoe racers will vie for the $4,000 purse at "Le Sault de Sainte Marie Canot Classique," a two-day event that begins Saturday at 9 a.m. at the Mission Street boat launch. Sunday's race laps can be viewed by the public from Rotary Park and Kemp Marina.

Sunday's events will include a breakfast buffet at the Elks Club on Portage Avenue from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. The meal costs $6. A Blessing of the Fleet is planned for 1 p.m. at the Museum Ship Valley Camp.

The River Fest is planned by the Soo Locks Visitors Center Association.