Straits State Harbor will be open for public tours Saturday, July 18, at 4 p.m. An official dedication will take place two hours later.

The marina, at 409 South Huron Street in Mackinaw City, has 130 slips and 174 feet of broadside dockage. It will be managed by eight people and open to the public seven days a week. A dog run, trash and recycle area, and grilling area will also be available. Eight wind turbines generate 60% of its electrical needs.

The comfort station is designed to capture maximum sunlight, reducing the need for electrical lighting. Ceiling skylights are equipped with solar light tubes that gather, focus, and amplify sunlight. Light-colored paint is used on the inside of the building to maximize the amount of sunlight refracted throughout.

The harbor is equipped with shower facilities that use low flow shower heads, ultra low flush urinals, and light sensors that turn lights on when people enter a room and turn them off when they leave.

The countertops and windowsills have been constructed from ash trees that were killed by the invasive Emerald Ash Borer. The furniture and furnishings have been made from recycled materials, as well.

The new state facility will compliment existing marinas in Mackinaw City, said Department of Natural Resources Parks and Recreation Division Chief Ron Olson. It will give visitors more opportunities for dockage and accommodate boaters who sail north to visit Mackinac Island but can't get moorage there.

The harbor will be ready for use after the ribbon-cutting ceremony Saturday, Mr. Olson said. Slip rental will likely be available the week after the ceremony.

The project was funded through the Michigan State Waterways Fund, which is funded from boat registration fees and a portion of the Michigan marine fuel tax.

In conjunction with the marina opening, a Festival of the Americas series of music concerts is planned in the harbor Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, featuring the Pointe Counterpoint II, a ship that transforms itself into a sound stage.