Art on the Lake will be joined by a new event, the Curtis Bridge Walk, to celebrate Labor Day weekend in Curtis this year. The art show and bridge walk are planned for Saturday, September 5.

Sponsored by the Erickson Center for the Arts, Art on the Lake will be hosted at Erickson Center Park. About 75 vendors are expected to attend from across Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Indiana, said event chair Lynda Soder.

The 10-year-old show draws nearly 5,000 people, Mrs. Soder said.

"Everybody seems to be smiling," she noted of the happy crowds attending.

Hats, rugs, pots, and wooden items will be on sale beginning at 10 a.m. Vendors of food and refreshments will be open at 10 a.m.. Near the edge of the park, a Lions Club pancake breakfast will be offered from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. The fair closes at 6 p.m.

Music will be offered throughout the day by Nine Mile Smile of Grand Rapids and Copper Box of Madison.

Children will be able to make their own arts and crafts at the children's art tent, Mrs. Soder said, and a children's parade will begin at 3 p.m. at the tent and travel around the park grounds.

Commemorative buttons, new this year, will be offered for a donation of $3, Mrs. Soder said, with proceeds to benefit Art on the Lake.

Curtis Bridge Walk

Joan Bolby and Richard James are organizing the Curtis Labor Day Bridge Walk to raise money for the local fireworks fund. The event will mimic the larger Mackinac Bridge Walk and will encompass the three bridges that span Portage Creek. Walkers can begin at any time and register between 8 a.m. and noon. Walking from the beginning of the first bridge to the third and back is roughly 3.5 miles, Mrs. Bolby said. Walkers can turn back and return to start at any time.

As at the Mackinac Bridge, "toll booths" will be erected at each bridge that will accept donations from anyone who crosses.

Art Fair Schedule

Saturday, September 5

Erickson Center Park

7 a.m. to 11 a.m. - Lions Club Pancake Breakfast

10 a.m. - Arts and Crafts, food and drink vendors open

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Silent Auctions of flower pot art

11 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Nine Mile Smile Band

2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. - Copper Box Band

3 p.m. - Children's Parade 6 p.m. - Fair Closes