There are moments in every life when a unique window of opportunity opens and only those who are prepared to climb through that window enjoy an incredible payoff.
NO…..we’re not talking about this….
We’re talking about things that come around only once a year and you either clear your calendar and seize the day or you pine away and wish for a second chance.
Engineer’s Weekend in Sault Ste. Marie is like that, when you get to see things and do things you can’t otherwise do. Here are 5 easy examples of things you can ONLY do if you make plans to be in Sault Ste. Marie on June 24-25, 2016.
#1 – Tour the entire campus of the Soo Locks
This is more than the park that is open throughout the year. This is once-annual access to parts of the Soo Locks campus you aren’t otherwise able to see. What makes it special? Exceptionally close proximity to freighters!
From 9am to 4pm, visitors explore buildings, walk across the Lock walls or gates, and general explore the grounds like a BOSS!
Because let’s be honest…when is the last time you stood this close to an anchor this big?
#2 – Witness a Coast Guard water rescue
The U.S. Coast Guard station on Water Street will host an open house on Friday from 10am – 2pm, immediately followed by a helicopter rescue demonstration will take place on the east side of the Museum Ship Valley Camp. Be there at 2pm, or you could miss this:
And again, ask yourself, when was the last time you saw someone rescued by helicopter? (For your sake, we are hoping this hasn’t happened to you personally before!)
#3 – Explore a hydroelectric plant
But it’s not just any power plant – it’s this amazing piece of architecture, history, and technology all wrapped into one – the Cloverland Electric Hydroelectric Plant.
Built in 1902, the hydroelectric plant’s 74 turbines still generate power used in Sault Ste. Marie today and, on this one day only, you can stroll through the structure for an electrifyingly exciting experience! (Pun intended….) Open only on Friday, June 24, from 9am-4pm.
#4 Honor a Vietnam Veteran
Thanking a veteran isn’t just a one-day-per-year activity, but an official ceremony to honor the area’s Vietnam Veterans and present each with a lapel pin will take place inside the park at the Soo Locks at 10am on Friday, June 24.
Gen. (retired) James Lindsay pins a Vietnam Veteran lapel pin onto JV Stephenson during the Vietnam War Remembrance Ceremony on Saturday, May 7, 2016, at The Airborne & Special Operations Museum . This ceremony honors and thanks all veterans, all services of the Vietnam War.
Yep – that’s happening on the same day as the Soo Locks Engineer’s Day open house, so you don’t have to choose. Do it all and join us to honor these heroic people.
#5 Walk Across an International Border
Admit it. You haven’t walked across too many International Borders, have you? And let’s go another step further (second pun…sorry) and add that you probably haven’t walked OVER a bridge, ABOVE the Soo Locks, and INTO another country. Yes….this is quite a special walk and it starts with this beauty.
Admittedly, we are showing you a nighttime picture, but you will be taking your one-chance-only walk on Saturday, June 25, at 9:30am as a participant of the International Bridge Walk. That’s when thousands of people take a very special journey billed as an event of international friendship. 
Walkers gather at the LSSU Norris Center on Easterday Avenue to await the official start of the walk and, if you would rather pedal across, bikes are allowed to cross earlier at 8:30am. You will need your passport and $4 per person to take bus transport back to your vehicle at the conclusion of the walk. (Unless you are coming from Canada, in which case you will take a bus over to the start.)
We’ve shown you 5 things you can do only on June 24-25, 2016, but the list of what you can do on Engineer’s Weekend doesn’t end there. Click on the below photos to learn about more fun to be had in Sault Ste. Marie!
Food Fudge Arts, Crafts, & Family Fun Fair
Tours Fishing Golf
