Sault Ste-Marie: 150 Years Of Reasons To Celebrate

Explore all that our beautiful and diverse community has to offer this year!

June 3-4: Lilac & Lavender Festival

Showcasing the culinary uses of lilacs and lavender. Purchase your tickets for a Victorian High Tea. Historical garden party and tea etiquette provided.

All Day

Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site

More Information

June 3: Opening Day - Algoma Farmers' Market

Occurring yearly during Foodland Ontario's Local Food week, Algoma Farmers' Market will begin their summer season operation! Early vegetables, bedding plants, pickles and preserves, delicious baking, crafts, true local honey, maple syrup, and much more will be available.

8 am to 1 pm

Algoma Farmers' Market - 65 Foster Drive

More Information

June 17: The Lock's Big Picnic!

This event will include live music from Trevor Tchir, the Crossroad Magdalenes and Frank and Jay. There will be local vendors offering a variety food and drinks. Parks Canada will be providing free airbrush tattoos for everyone. There will be activities for all ages and we encourage everyone to bring blankets or lawn chairs, and your favourite games (Bocce! Frisbee! Washer Toss!). We are pleased to welcome ARCH's Dragonfly Day to the picnic this year, with an inflatable carnival zone for kids and adults by donation. Come on down and enjoy a relaxing and fun day outdoors! Celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017 by taking advantage of free admission to all Parks Canada places for the entire year!

11 am to 5 pm

1 Canal Drive, Sault Ste. Marie Ontario

More Information

June 17: Queen Street Cruise

The Queen Street Cruise is a fast growing annual event that celebrates the nostalgia of what used to be. Fast cars, good friends and rock and roll. The Cruise invites car lovers to come together and go back in time; cruising the streets, showcasing their rides, and enjoying good old fun. The 2017 event promises to bring new and exciting elements to the Cruise.

Visit www.queenstreetcruise.com for more details.

12 pm to 12 am

Downtown Sault Ste. Marie

More Information

June 30: History Fest and Canada Day  A 150 Celebration

Hosted by the Ermatinger-Clergue National Historic Site in downtown Sault Ste. Marie. Re-enactors will bring this Historic Site to life during our Nation's sesquicentennial.

All Day

Ermatinger-Clergue National Historic Site, 800 Bay Street

More Information

June 30: Confederation Cuisine  Lobsterfest

June brings confederation P.E.I. to History Fest. Learn some history, and experience a Friday by the Fire in a new Heritage Culinary Experience. Fun, music, and heritage festivities. Live lobsters being brought in from P.E.I.

5 pm to 11 pm

Ermatinger-Clergue National Historic Site - 800 Bay Street

More Information

July 1: History Fest and Canada Day  A 150 Celebration

Hosted by the Ermatinger-Clergue National Historic Site in downtown Sault Ste. Marie. Re-enactors will bring this Historic Site to life during our Nation's sesquicentennial.

All Day

Ermatinger-Clergue National Historic Site, 800 Bay Street

More Information

July 1: Canada Day at Mill Market

Come visit Mill Market's wide variety of vendors and celebrate local entrepreneurship! There will be activities for all ages and all sorts of summery produce and products!

Saturday, July 1, 2017

8 am to 2 pm

Mill Market - 35 Canal Drive

More Information

July 1: Hub Trail Festival

"Walk, ride, or roll" your way along the Hub Trail, collecting stamps at each of the passport stations along the trail. Return your passport to be entered into the prize draws.

Saturday, July 1, 2017

10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

The John Rowswell Hub Trail

More Information

July 1: Parade of Paddles

Canoes and kayaks will gather at the Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site and Lock through together at 10 am, aiming for 150 paddlers or more for this record-breaking event! Paddlers are encouraged to decorate their watercraft in red and white. The parade will then continue with experienced paddlers parading down the waterfront to the Bushplane Museum beach and over to the Ermatinger-Clergue National Historic site for History Fest. Pre-registration is required and will be available May 1 at www.ssmrca.ca, registration closes June 26. This is a free event presented with Parks Canada's proud partner, the Sault Ste. Marie Region Conservation Authority.

Parade spectators can enjoy entertainment by the Healing Lodge Singers, Ribbon Dancing by the Metis Association, Airbrush tattoos by Parks Canada and meet their mascot Parka. Learn about the History of Trapping and Furs at a display by the Trappers Association, find out important information about Invasive Species, Listen to the St. Marys River update from from the Remedial Action Plan coordinator.

Enjoy all the activities on the lock wall from 10 am to noon, then take continue the celebration at History Fest until 5 pm. Celebrate Canada's 150th anniversary with free entry to all Parks Canada places in 2017.

July 1: Canada Day Celebrations

Come celebrate Canada's 150th Birthday at Roberta Bondar Park and Pavilion with Canada's first woman in Space and hometown hero, Dr. Roberta Bondar. Mayor Christian Provenzano and Dr. Bondar, who is our Canada 150 Community Ambassador, will host the Opening Ceremonies at 1 pm. Enjoy family entertainment and children's activities, from carnival games to balloon animals, face painting to clay crafts. Join us at the Tent Pavilion for a variety of free entertainment all day long until dusk when we Light up the Sky with the Sault Celebrates Canada 150 fireworks.

Saturday, July 1, 2017

1 pm to 12 am

Roberta Bondar Park and Pavillion, 65 Foster Drive

More Information

July 5: Bushplane Museum and Entomica Present  Innovation 150

The Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre and Entomica join together to present: Actua Maker Mobile in Celebration of Canada's 150. A moving maker space full of excitement including 3D printers, a laser cutter, programmable circuit boards and more. Participants to experiment with hands-on learning and to create their own innovations. Discover the fascinating, hidden and often misunderstood world of insects through live interactive exhibits with Entomica and the Bushplane's interactive Northern Nature Trading Experience. Registration to participate will begin in June 2017.

Wednesday, July 5, 2017

9:30 am to 5:30 pm

Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre, 50 Pim Street

More Information

July 5: Entomica and Actua Maker Mobile Workshops

Youth will be engaged in meaningful and enriching experiences of innovation to build their capacity and confidence in creating a better future for Canada. A variety of workshops will be utilized, designing and building using sophisticated tools including 3D printers, lazer cutters, micro-controllers, and block programming while they solve real-world challenges. Entomica will also be on hand with their full array of fascinating insects and interactive exhibits for all ages.

9:30 am to 5:30 pm

Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre, 50 Pim Street

More Information

July 13-15: ROTARYFEST, The Sault's Summer Festival

All Day at Clergue Park

More Information

July 20: Butterfly Release Day

Pre-order your very own butterfly to release with us on July 20. Butterflies are only $30, each or 4 for $100. You'll find it difficult to put into words the feeling you get when you release your very own butterfly... so invite your friends and family to release their own butterflies and experience the magic of the release along with you!

6:00 pm to 7:30 pm

Bellevue Park, Queen Street East

More Information

Aug 4-6: Can Am President's Cup Poker Run

Join us for an exciting new international performance boating event  see the latest in marine technology at its best, as dozens of the most exotic boats in North America challenge the beautiful waters of the Great Lakes in the Second Annual Sault Ste. Marie Poker Run. With participants from all parts of North America, this event brings the excitement of boating to enthusiasts throughout the region. Spectators are invited to tour the displays and chat with the boaters, and then watch the event from vantage points lining the shores. Those who prefer to view the Poker Run from the water may join the spectator fleet, which is carefully supervised by area volunteers.

About Dionne Elgie

Dionne Elgie grew up in Sault Ste. Marie and has a deep personal love for this city, and like many Saultites, a real passion for the great outdoors. Along with her team at DIG (Digital Intelligence Group)—she works with Tourism Sault Ste. Marie to curate compelling travel stories and collect truly useful tour tips that appeal to both local residents and out-of-town visitors. You can contact Dionne at dionne@digdeep.ca—she’d love to hear from you!

Recommended Articles

9 Facts to Know about the Agawa Canyon Tour Train

Get ready for a bucket list experience in the wilderness of Northern Ontario.

Spring Smelt Fishing in Ontario

Smelts are running! Fishing with Carter Dorscht.

8 Reasons Why You Must go to #TheSoo Right NOW!

That's Italian

The Best of Italy In Sault Ste. Marie!

Under The Aurora Borealis

This should be on your bucket list!

Where to Eat, Dine, and Play on the Sault Ste. Marie Waterfront

Your guide to discovering the diverse shorelines of a historic Northern Ontario waterway.

Just add kids

Bugs, Planes and an Arcade

The Group of Seven, 100 years in Algoma

An artistic trip on the rails they rode.

3 Waterfalls You Can't Miss Near #theSoo

Sault Ste. Marie and the War of 1812

Get sandy this summer in and around the Soo

6 best beaches for any occasion.

7 great bird-watching spots in Sault Ste. Marie

Perfect for both hard-core listers and family fun

Keep Those Kids Active, Happy And Healthy This Summer

Summer Camps Here We Come!

Experience The Incredible Indigenous Culture of Bawating

Indigenous Experiences in the Soo

10 Kid-Friendly Restaurants In Sault Ste. Marie

You'll want to try then all!

Time Stops in Frontier Village

Food Truck Revolution

Where To Find The Best Food Trucks, Trailers And Stands In Town!

Guided Paddling and Hiking, Now Even Better

7 reasons to add Thrive Tours to your Northern Ontario Bucket List adventure.

Vision, Hard Work, and a Little Thyme

Local Legend Rosetta Sicoli Explains Why Italian Cuisine is so Good in Sault Ste. Marie

The Best Cosy Soo Cafes

Get your warm on