Despite smoke and a previous delay, Port Huron hosted its annual street fair Friday, if not exactly in high numbers.
The fair, which is hosted on Huron Avenue between the Military Street Bridge and Superior Street, used less than half the space allocated for vendors to set up tents, and a festival that in past years saw thousands of guests saw only hundreds Friday.
Part of the reason for the low turnout may have been the smoke hitting Michigan from Canadian wildfires, which led the National Weather Service to issue an air quality alert statewide Thursday that continued Friday.
The Blue Water Festival Facebook page posted ahead of time that there would be less vendors than usual, saying some had decided not to attend while asking the community to support those who were present.
“They have worked so hard for this event and wanted to come out to show you their amazing items and booths,” the post read. “It’s not a full market as vendors had the option if they wanted to come today but we hope you’ll enjoy the ones who are setup to still bring you the experience!”
Jerry Dion, who was running a booth for the DeLeone Advanced Benefits, said turnout was definitely lower than past years.
“It’s definitely not as busy because of the smoke, but it helps that it’s not as hot,” Dion said.
Earlier this week the National Weather Service warned of heat indexes at 100 degrees and higher, but Friday saw a heat index of only 83 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.
Those who did attend could be seen visiting vendors, taking children on rides and visiting local stores that remained open. Some attractions, such as the live music performance continued while the Mannequins Making a Difference was moved indoors to the Wrigley Center Thursday.
Brad Yocco from Port Sanilac said he drives down every year for the fair and immediately noticed the lower turnout. He said he still enjoyed himself, but he made sure to wear a mask for protection from the smoke.
Cyndi Aderhold attended the fair as a vendor, setting up her booth for her business, Tallow Soap & Body Products. She said the fair had been “very slow,” but that didn’t stop her from having fun as she enjoyed her time in Port Huron before Saturday’s sailboat race.
“It’s okay, it’s still a vacation for me,” Aderhold said.
Preparations for the Bayview Mackinac Race get underway at 8 a.m. with the Port Huron Yacht Club hosting live music from 8 a.m. to noon. The race will begin at 11:30 a.m. in Lake Huron.
Find a full schedule at thebluewaterfest.com/full-schedule.
Contact Johnathan Hogan at jhogan@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Amid smoke and delay, Blue Water Street Fair crowd stays thin
Reporting by Johnathan Hogan, Port Huron Times Herald / Port Huron Times Herald
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Johnathan Hogan, Port Huron Times Herald | USA TODAY Network
