An early morning drive in downtown Algonac is one to remember as you gaze at the sun rising over the St. Clair River. The mere beauty of the river is just one of the many treasures that attract numerous tourists to the City of Algonac. The St. Clair River contains many species of fish not to mention one of the best walleye fishing rivers in all of the Great Lakes. At night you can sit on the boardwalk and watch the flicker of lights as local fishermen go after their limit of walleye. There are several public launch sites in the area for your boating convenience.

During the summer months the river is alive with freighters and ocean liners making their way through the Great Lakes. Cruisers, sailboats, catamarans, and personal watercrafts can be seen all throughout the boating season. Watching the majestic Tall Ships moor along our half-mile of boardwalk (one of the longest, freshwater boardwalks in the country) is an awe-inspiring experience.

For the boat enthusiast, a must see is the Annual Boat Parade at the Algonac Harbour Club (formerly Chris Craft World Headquarters) sponsored by the Michigan Chapter Antique and Classic Boat Society , better known as “Where It All Began”.

History was made when Christopher Columbus Smith, together with his four sons, established Chris Smith & Sons Boat Company in Algonac back in 1922. For over 60 years, this worldwide boat building empire was a leader in production of powered pleasure boats (Chris Craft).

The staging area for Seafarer’s International Union is downtown Algonac, where unlicensed U.S. merchant mariners sailing aboard U.S.–flag vessels in the deep sea, Great Lakes, and inland trades. The U.S. merchant marines work aboard a wide variety of vessels, including commercial containerships and tankers, military support ships, tugboats and barges, passenger ships, gaming vessels and many more.

For the car enthusiast stop by and see the Annual Classic Car Show in the Riverfront Park, sponsored by the Algonac Chamber of Commerce. The Antique (Classic) Car Show sponsored by the Spare Parts Car Club has outgrown the Riverfront Park and have moved to the Algonac State Park area.

Over the 4th of July holiday, with the Algonac Lion’s Pickerel Tournament, the downtown area comes alive with carnival rides, various food vendors, the bingo tent, fishing tournaments, and many more events too numerous to mention. A must do is buying tickets for the mega grand prize drawn the last evening of the tournament. Algonac is the “in” place to be on fireworks night, as the display is one of the best in the state.

We also have the Algonac Community Theatre Group, who performs three shows a year, two at the High School auditorium and one at the gazebo in Riverfront Park. These people are to be commended for their professional-like performances. Everyone looks forward to their upcoming productions. The ACT awards two college scholarships per year to Algonac High School Seniors who have experience and an interest in the theatre.

The Downriver Recreation Commission sponsors the “Riverfront Concert Series” by organizing co-sponsors. The concerts are held at the Riverfront Park Gazebo every Thursday in July and August. So, come on down and bring your lawn chairs or blanket and enjoy an evening of musical entertainment. The DRC brochure listing events is available in the lobby of Algonac City Hall and the information booth of the Algonac State Park. They are happy to offer programs and activities that are reflective of the popular trends in recreation on a state wide level.

Of course, we can’t forget to mention our new Skate Park, located on Michigan Street between Clay and Smith Streets. All the latest equipment was built to provide hours of entertainment for the skate board enthusiasts. Come on down and watch them in action!

The Algonac/Clay Library not only provides reading material but numerous activities and programs geared for pre-school right up to the adult. Rent a fishing pole, lures and a tackle box and you can fish off the canal on the Library property. If you’re in a mood for music, sign out one of the many music CD’s or for relaxation time, rent a VHS or DVD movie. Or just come in, sit back in a comfortable chair and peruse your favorite reading material in the reading area or enjoy one of the many computers set up for your convenience.

The Art Fair held on Labor Day weekend lends an international flair to the area with over 100 artists, food and entertainment. Strolling through the booths of artists with the beautiful azure backdrop of the river and the passing freighters is worthy of a masterpiece itself. Occasionally a freighter featured in one of the artists paintings will simultaneously travel by and it is amazing to see the detail that has been captured on canvas. The Art Fair Committee awards two college scholarships to Algonac High School Seniors with artistic ability.

Don’t miss our unique French and Indian Re-enactment held every year in September at the Algonac State Park. Re-enactors actually set up housekeeping in the primitive area of the park for the weekend and the public is welcome to stroll through to observe and get to know a typical day in the 17th century person’s life. This event has drawn rave reviews from history buffs and re-enactors around the country and is free except for the small fee to enter the state park.

The annual Rotary Bonfire is a perfect end to an evening of Trick or Treat! Families mingle while enjoying the hotdogs and bug juice provided by Rotarians. Our Algonac High School Marching Band provides musical entertainment.

For the history buff, stop by the Algonac/Clay Historical Museum located downtown in the Riverfront Park and see the many displays highlighting the history of the area to include Chris-Craft and Gar Wood, the local schools, churches and businesses. Special arrangements can be made for group tours. Stop in and take a step back in time!

An early evening drive across the marsh area will be forever etched in your memory as the sun sets over the area with a multitude of colors splashed against nature’s wildlife sanctuary to bid another day farewell.