The Mackinaw Area Visitors Bureau will host a family picnic at Conkling Heritage Park Saturday, August 22, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hotdogs, chips, refreshments, children's games, and tours of the ship Welcome will be available for $30 per family of four, with additional people costing $5 each.

Children's events include bounce houses, face painting, balloon animals, and cupcake decorating, planned throughout the day during the picnic. Children will also be able to dig through a large container of dry rice to find pirate toys and candy during the picnic treasure hunt.

Members from the local historical society will demonstrate how to weave and quilt. Members of the Jack Pine Lumberjack show will be performing demonstrations of chain-sawing and other lumber activities throughout the day.

Rides on the Welcome will be available Friday, August 21, at 7 p.m. and after the picnic Saturday at 7 p.m. Sunday rides will be available at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Rides cost $35 per ticket and are limited to 20 visitors per ride. New members of the Mackinaw Area Historical Society can ride free. Proceeds from the Welcome rides support the Mackinaw Area Historical Society.