Mike North (left) and Craig Skutt stand in front of a Star Line ferry boat which may tow them on water skis Saturday, August 22, to Mackinac Island (and possibly back) to raise money for the St. Ignace Friends of the Animals Pet -Fix program and to benefit the Festivals and Fireworks fund. Tickets to ride along on the boat and watch the feat are available from the Chamber of Commerce and Star Line. Mike North and Craig Skutt plan to water-ski, and possibly ride a tube, to Mackinac Island from St. Ignace in the wake of a Star Line ferry boat at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, August 22, to raise money for the St. Ignace Festivals and Fireworks campaign and the Pet-Fix program.

The two both work for the ferry company and decided it would be a fun way to help raise money for the community.

Mr. Skutt is the one who has always talked about skiing behind one of the ferries, Mr. North said. He may be donning skis alongside Mr. Skutt, or one of the men may ride an inflatable tube while the other water-skis.

This is probably the first attempt to ski behind a ferry boat to Mackinac Island, according to Mr. North, and he has been practicing. He hasn't water-skied regularly since he was young.

"I've gone a few times lately behind the 21-foot boat," he said. "We've been practicing, but haven't done it behind a ferry boat."

To help them avoid the fountain of water that makes up the famous rooster-tail behind the Star Line boats, tow ropes will be attached to moorings on either side of the boat.

Recently, he was able to make it the whole way to Mackinac Island behind the smaller boat, although he didn't attempt a return trip, something he will consider during the fundraising event.

"I thought it'd be cool to make it to Mackinac Island and back," Mr. North said. "I was pretty tired when I got there."

The trip to the Round Island Passage Light near the southeast corner of the Island is about six miles.

"We'll see about a return trip," he said.

One of the most common questions Star Line employees receive, Mr. North said, is whether anyone has ever water-skied behind one of the big ferries.

"Almost every day, someone here gets asked that," he said.

Something both he and Mr. Skutt have been interested in doing for the fun of it, the ski trip has evolved into an opportunity to raise money for community and charitable causes.

"I kind of wanted to make it into something," he said, "to raise money for a good cause."

Proceeds from tickets sold to those interested in riding aboard the ferry towing the two men will be split, half going to benefit the Festivals and Fireworks campaign, which is funding Saturday's weekly fireworks in St. Ignace, and half going to help the Friends of the Animals' Pet-Fix program, which focuses its efforts on getting pets spayed and neutered. Star Line will donate the use of its boat for the fundraiser, likely one of the smaller ferries. Tickets will be $20 for adults, $10 for children, and $50 for a family with a maximum of five people. Anyone interested may contact the Chamber of Commerce at 643-8717 or Star Line Ferry at 643-7635 for tickets or information.

The fundraiser is contingent on weather and lake conditions, Mr. North said, and if these are not optimal, it could cause the stunt to be rescheduled. Ticket holders could get a refund or a raincheck for the rescheduled event, he said, if it is postponed.

Those riding the ferry will also be able to bring coolers and enjoy a relaxed setting aboard the boat, Mr. North said.

"It is supposed to be a fun thing for them, too," he said of the spectators.

If the smaller ferry boat is used, about 75 people could fit on the upper deck, although Mr. North said it wouldn't be ideal if the boat was that crowded.

"If we get 50 people, I'll be happy," he said.