Lake Superior Day July 21 in Copper Harbor

The following press release was issued by Michigan Tech:

1-4 pm, Sunday, July 21 ~ Celebrate Lake Superior Day in Copper Harbor!!

Celebrate the beauty and bounty of Lake Superior!  Copper Harbor community volunteers, along with the Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative, are organizing the 7^th annual Lake Superior Day Festival with lots of special activities at the 6^th Street Dock along the Copper Harbor Boardwalk (near Isle Royale Queen boat dock):

•  Enjoy fish stew (Kalamojakka), homemade pies, rieska (Finnish flatbread), and more at a community picnic ($5 donation suggested).
•  Canoe races and kayak demonstrations
•  Interactive art (paint the model freighter!)
•  Learn about Lake Superior’s geoheritage from a presentation by Dr. Erika Vye from Michigan Tech’s Center for Science and Environmental Outreach
• Celebrate the beauty of Lake Superior with photographer George Bailey
• Log rolling demonstration from 3 – 4 pm by the MTU Log Rolling Club

From 1:00-4:00 pm, a special highlight is the opportunity for festival attendees to find out how scientists study the Great Lakes by taking a 40-minute scientific excursion in the harbor aboard Michigan Tech’s research vessel the Agassiz.  These excursions will be led by chief scientist, Kenny Larsen (PhD student in Environmental Engineering at Michigan Tech).  The excursions are offered as part of the Ride the Waves Program funded by a grant from General Motors.

The Agassiz will depart every 45 minutes from the Isle Royale Queen dock beginning at 1 pm. Participants must be at least 7 years old, and children must be accompanied by an adult. All participants should wear closed-toe shoes. Space is limited. Interested participants may pre-register for a scientific excursion aboard the Agassiz by calling (906) 487-3341 or email Lloyd Wescoat at lwescoat@mtu.edu.  You may also register online using this link.

For more information about the event, contact lead organizer, Don Kilpela, Captain of the Isle Royale Queen, at (906) 289-4735.

Lake Superior Day is celebrated throughout the Lake Superior basin on or close to the 3^rd Sunday in July in many communities around Lake Superior. The event highlights the special connections people have to this unique world treasure.  All residents who live, work, play, and worship around the lake are invited to organize events in their communities or take action in their homes, at their places of employment or in community groups to help protect Lake Superior.

To learn more about Lake Superior Day events around the lake, visit https://www.lakesuperior.com/topics/lake_superior_day/  . The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality also provides information on Lake Superior and the other Great Lakes at www.michigan.gov/deqgreatlakes or visit EPA’s website at: http://www.epa.gov/greatlakes/lakesuperior/index.html