MI New Favorite Snack competition returns
The MI New Favorite Snack competition, based in Port Huron, recently announced a statewide call for entries for its Sept. 9 competition.
More than $75,000 in cash prizes will be given away at the event, with the top award recipient also receiving a distribution agreement with All Star Services, a Port Huron-based break room services company.
Last year, the event awarded more than $50,000 spread among five award recipients.
“During our inaugural year, more than 50 snack makers from across both the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan competed for the prize money,” Blue Water Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Thelma Castillo said in a news release. “We encourage those who did not win last year to return, and we look forward to seeing what new snacks have been dreamed up in kitchens across the state of Michigan.”
The deadline for entries is June 30. There is a $100 fee per entry.
To be eligible for participation, companies must carry appropriate licensing and insurance, be headquartered in Michigan, have no more than 10 employees at the time of entry and have appropriately packaged product available for consumer purchase.
The top 20 finalists will be announced the week of July 24.
All competitors who register for the competition, regardless of whether or not they are a finalist, will be invited to participate in the MI New Favorite Snack exhibition, giving them access to event attendees who can sample and/or purchase packaged goods. Only the top 20 finalists are eligible to win prize money and the title of “MI New Favorite Snack 2023.”
This year’s event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 9 at McMorran Plaza in downtown Port Huron. Judging will take place from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., and the event will be open to the public from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
All competitors will be provided with a 10-foot-by-10-foot space, an 8-foot table and two chairs. Competitors must provide their own 10-foot-by-10-foot pop up weighted tent. Stakes are not allowed in the plaza.
The MI New Favorite Snack competition is presented by the Community Foundation of St. Clair County, with the following partners: All Star Services, the Blue Water Area Chamber of Commerce, the city of Port Huron, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and lead sponsor McLaren Port Huron.
For more information and to register, visit the MI New Favorite Snack page at bluewaterchamber.com.
Kids fishing event set for June 10
Cargill Inc. will present a kids fishing event from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. June 10 during the Michigan Department of Natural Resource’s Free Fishing Weekend at Pine Shores Golf Course, located at 515 Fred Moore Highway.
The event will include fishing on the Pine River, games, a touch tank and an environmental station. Participants are encouraged to bring their own pole and bait. There are fishing poles available to rent at the St. Clair Library and there will be free fishing tackle for participants.
Cargill and Friends of the St. Clair River EnviroScape will be onsite.
There will also be free canoe and kayak rentals at the St. Clair Boat Harbor. To make a reservation, call 810-329-4125.
For more information, call the St. Clair Recreation Department at 810-329-7121.
St. Clair Historical Museum to host presentation
Stories of traveling by “light” rail from Port Huron through St. Clair to Detroit in the late 19th and early 20th centuries will be the topic as the St. Clair Historical Museum hosts railroad historian Ken Schramm for his presentation of the “Rapid Railway” and Detroit Urban Railway on June 15.
The presentation will take place at 7 p.m. in the Community Room of the St. Clair Museum/Community Center, located at 308 S. 4th St.
“Light rail passenger service was a history of starts, stops, sell and expand for each new piece of the railroad, often just a few miles of track,” a recent press release states. “The final ‘electrified’ railroad route out Gratiot Avenue through Mount Clemens, Chesterfield, Marine City, St. Clair ending in Port Huron began in 1895 and operated for the next 35 years.”
Representatives from Magna International’s new St. Clair plants will follow Schramm presenting information on the complex vehicle battery enclosures being built in the plants.
The cost to attend is a donation of $6. Students can attend for free. Refreshments will be served.
Summer Jam to take place at skate park
A Summer Jam will take place starting at 2 p.m. June 17 at the St. Clair skate/bike park. The event will include a stunt show, Best Tric practice, an open jam format, DJ music and giveaways. Attendees are encouraged to bring their skateboard, bike or scooter.
Road work underway
Area motorists will see a handful of road and intermittent lane closures as various projects are completed throughout St. Clair County. All projects are weather dependent. Here’s a look at what’s ahead:
• Columbus Township: Bauman Road between Meskill and Crawford roads will be closed for two weeks beginning June 5 for a bridge replacement.
• Columbus Township: Palms Road between Rattle Run Road and Gratiot Avenue will have intermittent lane closures during the week of June 5 for chip sealing.
• Fort Gratiot Township: Parker Road between Krafft and Carrigan roads will have intermittent lane closures during the week of June 5 for ditching.
• Kimball, St. Clair townships: Mayer Road, Yager Road, Burns Road, Main Street and Henry Street will have intermittent lane closures during the week of June 5 for chip sealing.
• St. Clair Township: Rattle Run Road between Wadhams Road and the city of St. Clair will have intermittent lane closures during the week of June 5 for chip sealing.
• Wales Township: Sparling Road between Wales Center and Griswold roads will have intermittent lane closures during the week of June 5 for chip sealing.
