One of Mackinaw City's busiest weekends is quickly approaching, as a parade will wind through the heart of the village Saturday, and a historical re-enactment of a major victory for the Ottawa over British soldiers will take place each day during Memorial Day weekend Saturday, May 29, through Monday, May 31. A Mackinac Bridge race and contests and demonstrations in Mackinaw City will round out the weekend's events.

About 80 floats are expected to parade through the village in Saturday afternoon's parade. School bands from cities across Michigan will play while Fort Michilimackinac re-enactors march in full historic gear. The parade draws audiences from across northern Michigan each Memorial Day weekend.

The parade will begin at Straits State Harbor on South Huron Street. The Scottville Clown Band will perform on the marina lawn before the floats move out at 1 p.m. From the harbor, the parade will travel north to Central Avenue, then journey west to Nicolet Street. The parade will end at Fort Michilimackinac.

The Fort Michilimackinac reenactment, in its 48th year, tells the story of Ottawa Chief Pontiac's plan to destroy the British outposts in the Northwest. In response to poor treatment the Ottawa received from the soldiers, a plan was devised to infiltrate the fort and crush the inhabitants. In the performance, the Native Americans play a game of baggataway and invite the British to watch them. The game is really a ruse to enter the fort. After launching the ball into the fort multiple times, they are granted access to the fort to retrieve it. Once inside, the Native Americans initiate their attack, defeating their enemies.

Many Mackinaw City residents and historical re-enactment groups will collaborate to portray the events of that day in full costume. The re-enactment will be conducted Saturday, May 29, at 3:30 p.m., Sunday, May 30, at 2:30 p.m., and Monday, May 31, at 2:30 p.m. Watching the historical performance is free each day. It will take place inside Fort Michilimackinac in Mackinaw City just off North Huron Avenue.

Various games will be played throughout Saturday and Sunday, such as a rifle and archery competition. Saturday's events will end with a fireworks show at dusk.

There will be a Memorial Day service at the Municipal Marina Monday, May 31, at 10 a.m.

Mackinac Bridge Race

A foot race over the Mackinac Bridge will begin the weekend. The race begins at 6 a.m. Saturday at Bridgeview Park at the north end of the bridge. Runners will dash across the bridge and along a course in the village, ending at the Mackinaw City Recreation Center. The run is 5.6 miles.

Check-in for the race is Friday, May 28, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday, May 29, from 4:30 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. at the Mackinaw City Recreation Center. Transportation from the center will be offered from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. on race day.

Registration for the race is $45 in advance, or $50 on-site . Breakfast tickets can be purchased for $8, as well. The final day to register is Friday, May 28, at 9 p.m.

Schedule of Events

Friday, May 28

6 p.m. to 9 p.m. - Mackinac Bridge Race Check-in at Mackinaw City Recreation Center. Last day to register for race.

Saturday, May 29

4:30 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. - Mackinac Bridge Race Check-in at Mackinaw City Recreation Center

5 a.m. to 7 a.m. - Mackinac Bridge Race Transportation to starting line

6 p.m. - Mackinac Bridge Race begins at Bridgeview Park in St. Ignace

9 a.m. - Fort Michilimackinac Opens, Michilimackinac Voyageurs Muzzleloading Rifle and Smoothbore Competitions at Rifle Range (by wind turbines) begins.

9:30 a.m. - Primitive Archery Competition

1 p.m. - Memorial Day Parade begins at Straits State Harbor

3 p.m. - 18th Century Fashion Show at Fort Michilimackinac

3:30 p.m. - Fort Michilimackinac Re-enactment begins at Fort

Dusk - Fireworks

Sunday, May 30

9 a.m. - Fort Michilimackinac Opens

10:30 a.m. - Michilimackinac Voyageurs Kids Games at Mackinaw City Public Schools

1 p.m. - Fire Lighting Contest

2 p.m. - 18th Century Fashion Show at Fort Michilimackinac

2:30 p.m. - Fort Michilimackinac Re-enactment Begins at Fort

4 p.m. - Knife and Hawk Competition, Hoop Game and Cannon Ball Roll Competitions begin at Mackinaw City Public Schools

7 p.m. - Annual Frying Pan Toss at Mackinaw City Public Schools. (Men must wear skirts to compete, while women must wear baggy pants.)

8 p.m. - Michilimackinac Voyageurs Awards Presentation at Mackinaw City Public Schools

Monday, May 31

9 a.m. - Fort Michilimackinac Opens

10 a.m. - Memorial Day Service at Mackinaw City Municipal Marina Park

2 p.m. - 18th Century Fashion Show at Fort Michilimackinac

2:30 p.m. - Fort Michilimackinac Re-enactment begins at Fort