Fish Feast To Highlight St. Ignace Heritage
Memorial Will Be Dedicated July 28
By Ryan Schlehuber

Eldon Winberg (left) and his son, Russell, of Winberg Masonry, put the finishing touches on the new Fishermen's Memorial in St. Ignace, a 48-pound stainless steel whitefish sculpture that was placed on top of a stone foundation Thursday, July 12. The memorial is dedicated to commercial fishermen who have lost their lives while fishing in Lakes Michigan and Huron. The memorial will be dedicated at 4 p.m. Saturday, July 28, during the Fish Feast.

The St. Ignace Fish Feast, to be highlighted by a dedication of the new Fishermen's Memorial, will offer two days of activities to entertain families Friday, July 27, and Saturday, July 28, at the St. Ignace Marina. While the first Fish Feast is part of this year's 50th Mackinac Bridge anniversary celebration, the festival is planned to continue each year.

"This is an event for every local person, not just visitors, and not just for those who love fish," said Lynne Piippo, director of the St. Ignace Visitors Bureau. "This will be fun for the entire family."

The Fish Feast is a joint effort among St. Ignace's Visitors Bureau, Chamber of Commerce, local businesses and nonprofit organizations, and volunteers.

Jim Artis of Midland was the sculptor of the 48-pound stainless steel whitefish sculpture that is the centerpiece for the Fishermen's Memorial. Mr. Artis is a friend of St. Ignace artist John Herbon.

"The bridge anniversary celebration is the catalyst to this event, however, the Chamber has talked about doing something fish-related for a number of years," said Janet Peterson, director of the Chamber of Commerce. "It's a great event that highlights the area's fish history, industry, and its significance in the region."

The Fishermen's Memorial, newly constructed near the boardwalk between the St. Ignace Public Marina and Watawam Lighthouse, will be dedicated at 4 p.m. Saturday, July 28. Construction of the memorial was completed by Winberg Masonry of St. Ignace Friday, July 13.

The memorial, featuring two bronze plaques with names and a large metal whitefish that sits atop a stone foundation, pays tribute to the commercial fishermen in Mackinac County who have perished while fishing in Lakes Michigan and Huron.

Local volunteers, headed by Shirley Bentgen of St. Ignace, raised an estimated $7,000 to build the memorial.

The new event will open with a musical performance by the Saints of Steel Drum Band at the marina at 4 p.m. Friday.

The U.S. Coast Guard Station St. Ignace will offer tours of its search and rescue boat both days at 6 p.m. at the marina.

On Saturday, at least six local food businesses will feature a favorite fish or seafood dish for Fish Feast participants. Hot dogs and chips will also be available to children, provided by the Mackinac Animal Aid Association.

Children's games Saturday will include an inflatable bounce house, a fishing tank coordinated by the Straits Area Sportsmen's Club, face painting provided by Gros Cap School's Parent- Teacher Organization, and a Japanese T-shirt painting workshop called gyotaku (pronounced gee-oh-tah-ku), coordinated by Lora Brown of the Chamber of Commerce board. A water dunk tank will give people the chance to dunk some of St. Ignace's well known citizens and officials.

Tickets will be available to purchase at the marina's pavilion to enjoy food, beverages, and games.

A few artisans will be featured at the event. Members of the nonprofit organization Touch of Craft will feature items made by senior citizens and Sally Oeffner will display photographs she took of the St. Ignace area.

A beer and wine tent will be set up on the marina dock Saturday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., and at 6 p.m., musical entertainment will be provided by the folk music band Pub Runners. A collectible Fish Feast wine glass will be given to those who purchase wine from the tent.

Volunteers are still needed to run the various games and other stations during the Fish Feast. Call the St. Ignace Chamber of Commerce at 643-8717 to volunteer.